The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), with support from the United Nations (UN) and the government of Sweden have concluded a two-day gathering aimed at fostering inclusive development across the country. The two-day event which was held under the theme “District and County Consultations for the Development of the County Development Agenda and the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development,” brought together key state actors and foreign dignitaries to brainstormed on the way forward. Making remark at the launched of the program recently in Bentol City, Montserrado County, MFDP Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Madam Tanneh G. Brunson asserted that President Joseph N. Boakai believed that if the Unity Party led-government is to genuinely take ownership of development programs or projects, they must move away from the old traditional way of doing things, wherein policymakers sits’ in their respective offices and decide the fate and priorities of the people without their inputs. According to her, inclusive decision making is very important for national development as such, government approach to national growth has been designed by extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of citizens in the various counties. Accordingly, with the assistance of its international partners, the consultative engagement is being view as a significant event aimed at redirecting Liberia’s future. “We all know that District and County consultations are ongoing, and these discussions which involves every sector of our society, the Ministries, Agencies and Commissions, are important in changing the country’s current development path for the next five years,” she said. She then assured participants at the gathering that their inputs will be reviewed before it is validated, stating that their contribution will be taken into consideration. For his part, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr. Clement Lugala noted that the UN stand in full readiness in supporting Liberia in its developmental drive. According to him, the consultative dialogue proves government full readiness in developing a plan that will leave no one behind, stating that the initiative is important because it will highlight major priorities for national development. Accordingly, it is his hope that the consultations should capture international commitments, meanly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in accelerate Liberia’s progress. “The UN remains committed in working with the government, private sector and civil society actors in achieving Liberia’s development agenda. The change in this initiative should be most visible in the counties,” he said. Participants at the two-day consultative engagements highlighted the lack of some basic social services that is affecting their livelihood in their respective District in Montserrado that included, electricity, roads, water, healthcare facilities, job creation among others. Macpherson C. Marbiah writes/0886442881-0777250370
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