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— Urges spending entities to exercise fiscal discipline in the execution of the FY-2025 Budget
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has called on heads of government ministries and agencies to exercise prudence and strategic planning in the management of their budget allocations for the Fiscal Year 2025.
He emphasized that the US$880 million national budget is designed to span a full twelve months and urged officials to avoid exhausting funds prematurely.
Minister Ngafuan made these remarks on Thursday at the opening of a three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of policymakers and technical staff to effectively execute the FY2025 National Budget.
“While it is true that some ministers and directors were appointed around April, having a mentality of budget execution for nine months will exhaust the budget, and your ministry or agency will turn broke soon,” Ngafuan cautioned. “This budget is not for three, six, or nine months, but twelve months. It must be managed accordingly.”
Ngafuan stressed that the effective use of resources hinges on proper planning and adherence to fiscal rules. He noted that two ministries with the same budget can achieve vastly different outcomes depending on how the funds are managed.
“It is not about how much your budget is; it is about how you use it,” the Minister stated. “Last year’s budget execution faced challenges due to transitions, recasting, and reversals. Now, with a full year to plan, there should be no excuse for poor performance.”
He further urged ministries and agencies to prioritize quarterly and yearly planning, ensuring that all expenditures align with the government’s development priorities.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Madam Tanneh G. Brunson, elaborated on the workshop’s purpose, underscoring its importance in ensuring the successful implementation of the FY2025 budget.
“This workshop is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of fiscal rules, budget execution procedures, monitoring, and reporting,” she explained. “It also aims to strengthen accountability, enhance coordination among spending entities, and promote efficiency in the use of public resources.”
Madam Brunson emphasized that the budget reflects the aspirations of the Liberian people as outlined in the “Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development.” She urged participants to see themselves as custodians of the public trust, responsible for translating the budget into tangible developmental outcomes.
“Today, we gather not merely as representatives of institutions, but as stewards of the public trust,” Brunson stated. “Your roles are pivotal in shaping the trajectory of our nation’s development.”
The Deputy Minister highlighted several challenges that undermine budget credibility, including delays in reporting, reallocation of resources, and failure to meet performance targets. She assured participants that the workshop would address these issues and equip them with the tools needed for better budget management.
“Over the next three days, we will revisit the legal frameworks, fiscal rules, and policies guiding budget execution,” Brunson said. “We will engage in practical discussions about procurement plans, cash management, performance reporting, and inter-ministerial coordination.”
She added, “This workshop serves as both a refresher and a capacity-strengthening platform to ensure that every dollar is spent efficiently and in alignment with national objectives.”
Representatives from key institutions, including the General Services Agency, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, and General Auditing Commission, are participating in the workshop to ensure a holistic approach to fiscal discipline.
Madam Brunson also commended the participants for their dedication, emphasizing the collective responsibility to deliver results. “Your expertise and commitment are the driving forces behind the effective execution of the national budget,” she noted.
“As we embark on this journey, I encourage everyone to engage actively, share insights, and collaborate,” she added. “Let us work together to execute a credible, efficient, and effective budget that addresses the development needs of our people.”
The FY2025 National Budget, recently approved by the 55th Legislature and signed into law by the President, amounts to $880 million, the highest in Liberia’s history.
Deputy Minister Brunson described it as “an extraordinary opportunity to drive meaningful progress across Liberia,” while also acknowledging the profound responsibilities it entails.
“We must ensure that every dollar is allocated and spent in alignment with national objectives, fiscal principles, and accountability,” Brunson said.
The workshop, attended by officials from 108 spending entities, is expected to lay a strong foundation for improved fiscal performance and service delivery in FY2025.
