Inclusive Consultative process across all Counties will lead to a vibrant National Development Road Map, Says Deputy Minister Brunson

Ganta, Nimba County - Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Hon. Tanneh G. Brunson, has emphasized the importance of an inclusive consultative process across all counties in Liberia to achieve a comprehensive National Development Roadmap for the country.

Speaking at a two-day Orientation Workshop for County Authorities on the National and County Development Planning Processes, held by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning at a local hotel in Ganta City, Nimba County, from June 13-14, 2024, Hon. Brunson emphasized that the benefits of this approach include strengthening the country's democratic culture and involving local beneficiaries in the development agenda, among other advantages.

The workshop, fully funded by the Swedish Government and facilitated by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), aimed to foster collaboration and build synergy among county consultation teams to enhance their output.

Minister Brunson clarified roles and responsibilities within county leadership regarding the development of the National Development Plan/ ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and County Development Agendas (CDAs), intended for district and county consultations to strengthen local leaders' capacity to effectively perform their duties.

Hon. Brunson stated that incorporating views from all counties, including input from local authorities, youths, women, civil society organizations, and the media, is crucial for the National Development Plan. She emphasized that the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) would require strong coordination mechanisms at both national and sub-national levels.

“The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) will need robust coordination at both national and sub-national levels,” she asserted.

Hon. Brunson expressed gratitude to the Swedish Government and other development partners for supporting the ongoing planning process for the National Development Plan.

Madam Christine Umutoni, United Nations Resident Coordinator and co-chair on the steering committee of the National Development Plan, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to providing technical and financial support to Liberia’s development agenda/ ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and impartial fulfillment of Vision 2030.

The UN Vision 2030 is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that seeks to provide a blueprint for peace and prosperity for all people across the globe.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator indicated that adherence to principles of effective development cooperation; aid effectiveness would be enhanced through deepened mutual accountability and sustainable development for the people of Liberia.

Madam Umutoni noted that the United Nations and its partners would align their cooperation framework with Liberia’s national vision and plan.

Currently, the National Development Planning process is being developed amid global efforts to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with six years remaining.
The ARREST Agenda targets six SDG transitions: food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate change-biodiversity-pollution.

Assistant Internal Affairs Minister for Research & Development Planning, Hon. Emmanuel Wheinyue, added that the development planning process will be participatory, gender-sensitive, and inclusive of all citizens, residents, minorities, and marginalized communities, as well as civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities, starting from the general town level.

The workshop gathered participants from the fifteen counties, including Superintendents and County Development Officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Regional Development Officers and County Monitoring Officers from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), County Statistic & Information Officers from the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Service (LISGIS), alongside Hon. Tanneh G. Brunson, Madam Christine Umutoni, Hon. J Wellington Barchue and Hon. Emmanuel Wheinyue.