Finance Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has revealed to Vice President Jeremiah Koung how the Ministry has commenced preparations for the 2027 national budget.
Ngafuan made the statement following the launch of the budget preparation process in mid-July 2026.
He noted how the government has worked to ensure that the budget is submitted within the statutory deadline of October 31, 2026, as required by law.
Ngafuan: “The early commencement of the process is intended to allow the government to undertake comprehensive consultations with ministries, agencies, and other stakeholders on their current priorities, challenges, and funding requirements ahead of the 2027 fiscal year. The budget preparation process has started. We launched the preparation process by the middle of July, and we are to submit the new budget by the deadline in the law, by the 31st of October.”
As part of the process, Ngafuan disclosed how the Ministry will engage key institutions, and social protection sectors to better understand their operational challenges, and incorporate priority interventions into the national budget.
Mr. Ngafuan said, the Ministry will host senior officials of the security sector for a comprehensive review of their priorities, and challenges.
The delegation is expected to include the Minister of Justice, and Attorney General, the Director of the Liberia National Police, the leadership of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the Liberia National Fire, and Rescue Service, and other security institutions.
He described the engagement as a “deep dive” into the sector’s current issues, with the objective of understanding operational concerns, and ensuring that appropriate priorities are reflected in the 2027 budget.
Ngafuan also disclosed plans to engage the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) on the energy situation, including the corporation’s development plans, and areas where government support could accelerate progress in the sector.
The engagement, he said, will provide an opportunity for government to better understand LEC’s priorities, and determine how available public resources can be strategically aligned to support the expansion, and improvement of electricity services.
A major priority Ngafaun identified is the government’s planned engagement with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASCOP) to address outstanding obligations, and challenges affecting public, and private sector workers.
He said, the Ministry intends to convene a comprehensive, “one-stop-shop” dialogue with NASCOP, bringing together institutions that have outstanding concerns, or obligations related to the corporation.
Ngafuan noted that the challenges extend in several public institutions, including the University of Liberia, Liberia Revenue Authority, and various ministries, agencies, and public corporations, while some private-sector entities are also reportedly not meeting their NASCOP obligations.
“We want to be able to have this panoramic discussion, and to understand all the challenges. We’re not going to put things on the carpet.”
Ngafuan stressed how the government has determined to confront the issue directly.
He said, the government recognizes that some of the obligations have accumulated over several years, and that decisive action is required to address the situation.
