Monrovia, Liberia - The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing the skills of 221 staff members at the MFDP..
This partnership will provide training in customer service for 175 staff members and safety training for 46 drivers.
Speaking on behalf of Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Deputy Finance Minister for Administration Bill McGill Jones emphasized the initiative's alignment with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's vision of using the country system to empower Liberians to take ownership of their development and drive positive change within the country.
"This ceremony highlights the importance of on-the-job training for staff, which has a greater impact on the ever-changing work environment," he stated.
Citing Section 43 of the Government of Liberia Human Resources Manual, Hon. Jones noted the obligation of Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) to provide necessary training for their employees.
He encouraged each agency to designate a representative to oversee the implementation of training programs in collaboration with LIPA.
Hon. Jones stressed that the training is more than a routine task; it is an opportunity for employees to gain valuable knowledge and skills that will enhance their effectiveness in fulfilling government processes and goals.
“This opportunity is intended to equip our employees with relevant tools and techniques on the job to increase productivity and performance," he said.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in its workforce across various MACs to cultivate specialized skills. He expressed gratitude to LIPA for their support in bridging the training gap. Hon. Jones urged employees to view the training as vital preparation for the challenges ahead.
“To our employees, please see this opportunity as a way of preparing you for the next biggest task ahead of you, he asserted.
For his part, the Director General of the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), Hon. Nee-A-lah Varpilah, stated that LIPA is fully committed to all the deliverables outlined in the agreement.
He expressed his excitement that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning recognizes the importance of enhancing capacity across the government in order to achieve its goals, starting with training of personnel at the lower levels of the civil service.
Hon. Varpilah emphasized that LIPA will be a steadfast partner in implementing the memorandum of understanding between the two government agencies.