Monrovia, Liberia – Through the Open Budget Initiative Office at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Government of Liberia has launched a week-long draft FY 2025 Open Budget Awareness campaign throughout Montserrado County in an effort to guarantee public access to information and foster accountability and transparency throughout the government.
The goal of the Draft FY 2025 National Budget Awareness is to provide the public with access to budget information and opportunities to engage in the county and community-level budgeting process.
The government budget is a plan that specifies “where the money will come from and also states how the Government will spend the money on those activities that are defined, as well,” according to Julius Boakai, Director for Budget, Policy, and Coordination, who spoke at the launch.
“The budget team is currently in Montserrado County to get input and feedback from people at all levels of society,” he said.
The government is mandated by law to provide pertinent information when the draft budget is submitted to the National Legislature, and he stated that raising awareness of the draft national budget is one of its top responsibilities.
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s Assistant Director for Budget Dissemination and Fiscal Transparency, Ms. Carolyn Myers, urged all citizens to support the government by establishing a strong tax payment system that would allow it to continue its development goals.
She clarified that paying taxes will result in the construction of schools and clinics, roads, bridges, a strong healthcare system, and improvements to the business and education sectors.
Ms. Carolyn Myers revealed that the goal of the awareness campaign is to connect with people in both urban and rural areas.
“In my 62 years of existence, I have not seen the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning team coming to my community; this is very new and highly appreciated that the Government can be accountable to the people,” said Mr. Kermo Sherrif, the Community Chairman of Old Matadi.
West Point, Central Monrovia, Old Matadi, Careysburg, Thinker’s Village Community, the Paynesville Joe Bar Community, and SDA High School were the locations of the outreach events.
Attendees included student organizations, members of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, community leaders, and representatives of the teaching staff and school administration.
