MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Information Minister, Ledgerhood Rennie, has defended the Liberian Government’s successes over the past five years, amid a recent report by the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy.
Ambassador McCarthy, in his recent report, criticized the Liberian Government for doing nothing to improve the Health Sector and other critical infrastructure in the Country.
But Minister Rennie said:” The Ambassador’s report fell short of acknowledging the progress being made by the Government”.
He told the BBC on Thursday, April 27, 2023, that reports coming from the World Bank, the IMF, and other international partners speak of progress being made by the Government contrary to Ambassador McCarthy’s incorrect reports against the Government.
Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie said:” Ambassador McCarthy did not do the Liberian Government justice. It would have been prudent for him to first address the issue in private with national leaders”.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Government says it remains grateful to the US Government and other development partners, for the continued support of the Country’s transformation.
In a release issued recently, the Liberian Government has also clarified that sixty million US Dollars referenced by the Ambassador is not money coming entirely from the Government, but rather a small fraction in Government-to-Government support, which is disbursed only after proof of performance.
It added that the rest is expended through USAID’s own funding mechanisms directly to select project implementers.
It further maintained that Government remains dedicated to investing in critical health infrastructure across the country, as it builds clinics and hospitals, while also prioritizing human capital development.
Liberia is at the same time thankful to the United States Government for its decision to complement the Government’s efforts by constructing a National Reference Laboratory.
The Liberian Government has disbursed hundreds of thousands in Resettlement Action Plan to affected residents and can assure the Americans of Liberia’s full preparedness to run the facility when it is completed in a few years.
Data from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning validated by the Health Ministry has been attached as proof of cash disbursement to health facilities nationwide for the 2022 Fiscal Year.
By: Emmanuel Kollie/Zoequaye Beysolow Konneh
