MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps of Liberia has expressed confidence that the October 2023 General and Presidential elections will go according to plan.
The Diplomatic Corps said this is based on their observation of the good field work being done by the National Elections Commission (NEC), with active technical support from ECOWAS and UNDP as well as the diplomatic family.
In a message on United Nations Day Monday, October 24, 2022, Cameroon Ambassador to Liberia, Beng’yela Gang congratulated and encouraged the Government for its timely and sovereign ownership of the process and for supporting the NEC.
Ambassador Gang stated that Liberia has so far done well in managing its elections, such feat which cannot regress.
He also hailed Government for seeing the wisdom that the national census could not further be delayed.
Ambassador Gang added that the Diplomatic Corps cannot be dragged into direct roles as key actors in the Liberia’s electoral exercise by agents in the dark, who aim to create internal political wrangling.
He reiterated the Diplomatic Corps’ stance against recent video linking the diplomatic corps to uncovering a plot by the Government to rig the 2023 elections.
Meanwhile, Diplomatic Corps of Liberia has hailed Government’s investment in the energy supply, which it said will unleash gains and stimulate greater private sector development.
The Diplomatic Corps also mentioned that Government’s investments in improving the road infrastructure will have huge economic multiplier effects in years to come.
It added that Liberia continues to perform well within the framework of the microeconomic program with the IMF, and it’s poised for economic growth among others.
He said work on (ACDP Accelerated Community Development Program. began several years ago with feasibility study done in 2019 by Price Waterhouse Coopers.
He said also in 2019, Government sent a number of high-level officials of Government to Senegal to observe and study a similar program, called the PUDC.
He said:” Government has been putting all the elements in place and mobilizing the financing, to raise adequate resources needed to implement the program.”
Meanwhile, President Weah has disclosed that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will serve as the Implementing Partner for the Accelerated Community Development Program.
He said this is based on its strong experience and knowhow in rapidly implementing similar programs in countries such as Senegal, Togo, Gambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
President Weah said the program will be implemented in a transparent manner, and with the full ownership and involvement of the respective communities.
He further requested the Finance Ministry to work with the UNDP, World Bank, African Development Bank, IMF, and the rest of the International Partners.
The Liberian Leader said such collaboration is aimed at concluding financing of approximately US$100 million for the first phase of the program, which is to be implemented over the period 2022-2025.
He also directed all Ministries and Agencies to collaborate in the implementation of the program and channel any support necessary.
By: Naway Gumeh
