Africa-Press – Liberia. While acknowledging efforts outlined by President Boakai in his State of the Nation Address, such as regular audits, the fight against corruption, and improving the lives of Liberians, the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) has highlighted the lack of a clear direction on how the new government plans to address the economic challenges.
The nation is currently facing various economic issues, including a public debt of over US$2 billion, an 80 million budget deficit, double-digit inflation, sluggish growth, high unemployment, and increasing poverty.
In order to improve the situation, CPP Co-Chairman Atty. Lafayette Gould at a press conference in Monrovia on Tuesday, January 30, emphasized the importance of creating jobs for unemployed Liberians, particularly through initiatives like agricultural sector revival, microfinance schemes for small businesses, and supporting entrepreneurs through business incubation.
He called on the President to prioritize the economy and focus on boosting economic growth in the country, and by doing so rescue and transform the economy.
“The primary focus should be the economy, both rescuing and transforming it,” he said.
Gould also emphasized the importance of providing equal access and opportunities for all citizens and moving towards a self-sufficient nation — while calling for efforts to spur the economy, attract investments, and support Liberian farmers, entrepreneurs, and businesses, with a focus on prioritizing the interests of Liberia above all else.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Boakai outlined plans for his administration, including regular audits, the fight against corruption, and improving the lives of Liberians. The President also reintroduced the Liberianization program.
“While we commend efforts in the agenda laid forth in that direction, namely empowering Liberian entrepreneurship (MADE IN LIBERIA), leveraging Information Communication Technology (ICT) in creating jobs, and the National Tourism Authority, yet a clear direction of how this new government will set out to alleviate these economic ills was missing,” Gould said.
“Our nation is evidently weakened, lumbering under an over US$2 billion public debt stock, US$80 million budget deficit, double-digit inflation, sluggish growth, high unemployment, and increasing poverty.”
President Boakai’s reintroduction of the Liberianization policy, aimed at empowering Liberian businesses and promoting growth and job creation, was also noted by the CPP. The opposition party, however, called for prioritizing the enforcement of this policy, along with adopting a “Buy Liberian” procurement and maintenance policy by all government institutions.
Gould also emphasized the need to focus on initiatives that boost youth economic opportunities and support disadvantaged youths. The CPP stressed the significance of boosting economic growth for the revitalization of the economy.
They commended efforts such as comprehensive audits of government institutions and the reintroduction of fiscal rules and a travel ordinance. The CPP also called for immediate executive orders requiring all presidential appointees to comply with asset, liability, and income declaration requirements.
Additionally, the CPP urged the government to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court and promote gender equality empowerment by ensuring at least 40% inclusion of women in the cabinet.
They also emphasized the importance of passing legislation to ensure a minimum of 30% women’s participation in the legislature. The CPP highlighted the need for decentralization of public administration, law enforcement reforms, judicial reforms, and a review of the Liberian Constitution with a focus on electoral reform.
These reforms are seen as crucial to strengthening democratic governance and achieving unity among the Liberian people.
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