The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has signed a US$114.4 (US$114,488,125) million Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG). Accordingly, Amendments 14 and 15 are meant to incrementally fund and revise the total USAID contribution to the Development Objective Grant to among other things, accelerate reforms in the health sector, education and provide essential services to Liberians. Speaking at the signing ceremony Wednesday, November 13, 2024 in Monrovia, Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) Minister, Augustine K. Ngafuan, asserted that the event marks another significant milestone for the nation and its people in strengthening the historical and bilateral ties between Liberia and the United States government. Minister Ngafuan indicated that the US government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has remained a steadfast and reliable partner to the government of Liberia, by supporting many aspects of its national efforts. He noted that as Liberia’s largest bilateral donor, the US government in May 2020, signed with the government of Liberia the Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG), with the objective of improving health, education, livelihood, strengthening democratic governance and advancing prosperity. “Today, we have gathered to signed two amendments to this Agreement. These amendments are 14 and 15. The incremental total dollar amount of these amendments is US$114,488,125,” he said. According to him, the agreement provide support for programs in three thematic areas that include market-driven, inclusive economic growth that support increase job creation, effective and inclusive governance catalysed through reforms and greater accountability, and foundation growth that strengthened through a healthy, productive and educated population, thus cutting across several sectors that include the agriculture, justice, education, health among others. Minister Ngafuan said the health sector is the largest with the total of fifty-five (55) ongoing projects in all of the 15 counties, with the USAID providing technical and financial support through its health development program for the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH), health policy and plan the national Essential Package of health services. He indicated that USAID will also continue its work with the Liberian government in supporting the MOH 10-year plan, as well as continuing to ensure further alignment through the Global Health Initiative strategy core principles of country ownership and integrated health system for sustainable impact. “As you all are aware, under our new national development plan called the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), we are committed to working with our partners t lessen our roads and energy burdens. We will also be investing in agriculture especially in value chain expansion, education, sanitation, rule of law, social welfare, and tourism,” he said. For his part, US Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, indicated that the signing ceremony reflects both countries share commitment to advancing Liberia’s development, which is aimed at strengthening the bonds and cooperation between the two nations. He asserted that since launching the US$640 million five years Development Objective Agreement in May 2020, the US government along with the government of Liberia have made significant strides together, thus adding additional US$114.4 million to this effort, bringing the total contribution to US$489. According to him, the signing ceremony marks a new step in Liberia’s path to growth and prosperity, stressing that the funding represent more than financial support, but reflect the US steadfast commitment and investment in Liberia future. Accordingly, the additional investment is design to support the government intervention in health, education, strategic reform in market-driven inclusive of economic growth. “USAID will provide training for teachers, deliver health commodities to communities in need and expand economic opportunities in agriculture among other things,” he said. He noted that by working together, the US government and the government of Liberia will ensure that every dollar contribute to sustainable positive outcome for the Liberian people “As we embark on this new chapter, we must acknowledge the challenges that remain including corruption and capacity constrain. Together, we must reinforce the existing structures needed to addressed these issues,” he said. The signing ceremony was witness by several government officials as well as official f the US Embassy. Macpherson C. Marbiah writes/0886442881-0777250370