A group from Liberia has come back after visiting Kenya to learn about successful strategies for handling initiatives supported by development partners.
The tour held in Nairobi between March 24 and 28 revolved around Kenya’s proficiency in leveraging its institutional frameworks and public service capabilities to oversee projects funded by donors.
Led by Ms. Alice Williams, the Deputy Minister for External Resources and Debt Management at the Ministry of Finance, the delegation comprised members from various crucial Liberian governmental bodies including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Liberia Revenue Authority, Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
The study visit occurs as Liberia initiates the implementation of the Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project, which is a $30 million effort supported by the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank.
The project aims to enhance access to key services for citizens, including national identification and public records, through improved e-governance platforms. It also targets the streamlining of tax administration, the implementation of a Value-Added Tax (VAT) system, and the strengthening of financial management, oversight, and anti-corruption efforts.
Throughout the tour, the delegation participated in roundtable discussions and expert presentations, engaging with Kenyan officials who manage donor-funded programs.
Key institutions visited included the National Treasury of Kenya, the Public Financial Management Reforms Secretariat, the World Bank Office in Nairobi, and the Program Implementation Unit of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program. These interactions provided Liberia's delegation with invaluable insights into how Kenya successfully integrates national systems into development projects.
Conversations with Kenyan authorities centered around tackling issues linked to project administration, financial monitoring, and aid collaboration. The aim was to provide actionable approaches to enhance openness, effectiveness, and responsibility in handling contributions from donors.
Assistant Minister Alice Williams showed gratitude for the productive talks, highlighting the importance of the newly acquired knowledge. She underlined that the lessons learned during the visit will play a crucial role in improving Liberia’s capacity to handle donor-supported initiatives effectively.
"I am dedicated to enhancing Liberia’s ability to oversee donor-supported programs in a manner that amplifies their effectiveness and builds stronger confidence between our administration and international aid organizations," stated Williams.
The educational trip has offered us valuable practical knowledge on enhancing our public financial management systems, strengthening civil servants' capabilities, and fostering a more open and responsible setting for handling developmental assistance.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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