Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are expected to meet with lawmakers from the 15 County Legislative Caucuses to discuss the findings from recent consultations on the County Development Agendas and the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. This initiative aims to present valuable insights gathered from the District and County Consultations, reflecting the needs and priorities of communities across Liberia.
The consultation process officially commenced on July 18, 2024, during the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee, chaired by President Joseph N. Boakai. Six dedicated teams were deployed to collect data throughout the country’s districts and counties, focusing on the ARREST Agenda, the County Development Agenda (CDA) for each county, and the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) Framework.
These teams comprised representatives from various government agencies, development partners, and experts from Africa Development Management Associates and Subah Belleh & Associates. Together, they engaged communities to ensure that their voices were integral to the development process.
The upcoming legislative engagement gathering will provide the County Legislative Caucuses with detailed findings from their respective counties and solicit their perspectives and guidance on the County Development Agendas and the ARREST Agenda.
Spanning 15 counties and 136 districts, the consultation process featured a series of district-level discussions followed by county-level validation sessions. This extensive phase concluded on August 15, 2024, after 24 days of community engagement.
Recognizing the pivotal role of the National Legislature in resource allocation and governance oversight, the MFDP emphasizes the necessity of legislative involvement in shaping Liberia’s new development strategy. To facilitate this, a series of engagement sessions with the County Legislative Caucuses are scheduled for September 27, 30, and October 2, 2024, at the Bella Casa Hotel.
Each session will feature presentations tailored to specific counties, accompanied by discussions aimed at fostering collaboration. Morning sessions will run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by afternoon sessions from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
The MFDP plans to utilize PowerPoint presentations to share findings and invite feedback from lawmakers, marking a significant step towards a collaborative approach to national development in Liberia. This initiative underscores the importance of inclusivity in pursuing growth and ensuring that diverse voices contribute to the future of the nation.
