Monrovia, Liberia – The Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Madam Tanneh G. Brunson has acknowledge that achieving sustainable development, addressing key challenges and maximizing available resources are key in the implementation of the ARREST Agenda.
She states that, with the National Development Plan’s release, it will function as a directive for the Government’s activities, offering a structure for coordinating with other national institutions and stakeholders. On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Madam Brunson disclosed the information during the regular press briefing of the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism in Central Monrovia.
The plan’s preparation, she pointed out, entails a multi-stakeholder approach that includes in-depth consultations with a wide range of groups, including representatives from the private sector, government agencies, youth and women’s organizations, religious institutions, academia, and the physically challenged community.
Madam Brunson emphasized that the National Development Plan will be created in conjunction with the Public Sectors Development Plan (PSIP) and corresponding County Development Agendas (CDAs), guided by the 1986 Constitution. It will also incorporate the priorities outlined in the Unity Party’s manifesto, as well as global and regional development frameworks like the Africa Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The government remains committed to consistency in the quest to realize the aspirations of the national vision 2023, building upon the gains made in key sectors, utilizing key development including reports/data from development partners.”
She claimed that the National Development Plan (NDP), CDA, and PSIP will take into account requests for sub-national consultation as well as the opinions of stakeholders at the district and county levels.
The plan’s six building blocks are economic prosperity, social and demographic harmony, democracy, environmental sustainability, cultural vibrancy, and technological innovation, according to Hon. J. Wellington Barchue, Assistant Minister for Development Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
The development technician mentioned that the integrated sectors-based strategy of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development will concentrate on agriculture, roads, rule of law, education, sanitation/health, and tourism.
Stakeholders will be identified during the planning phase, including representatives from the private sector, government agencies, youth and women’s organizations, academic institutions, religious institutions, and the physically challenged population.
He averred that the official launch of the consultation process is scheduled for June 17-24, 2024 including sixty-two (62) districts and fifteen (15) counties consultation, eleven (11) sectoral consultation, and fifteen (15) counties validations.
Speaking on behalf of Development Partners, Mrs. Christine Umutoni, the UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, believes the UN is still a fantastic ally for Liberia’s development across the board.
She expressed her gratitude to the Liberian government for establishing the National Steering Committee, which would direct the National Development Plan’s implementation and reassure the country’s citizens that the UN will always be a trustworthy and reputable partner.
Madam Umotoni is the Co-Chair of the National Steering Committee recently appointed by the President.
The NDP seeks to adequately address the challenges facing the people of Liberia through resource allocations and collaborations.
