NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has defended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Annual Message against recent opposition criticism, emphasizing that the administration’s economic strategy is firmly focused on sustainable, infrastructure-driven growth.
Speaking at a special press conference on Wednesday, Minister Ngafuan described claims that the government prioritizes infrastructure over immediate “bread-and-butter” issues as misplaced.
He stressed that strategic investments in roads, energy, and other critical sectors remain central to job creation and long-term economic opportunity.
By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
“Some people do not understand the link between infrastructure investment and job creation,” Minister Ngafuan said. “When you reduce the cost of electricity and transportation, you lower business expenses. That leads to expansion, higher productivity, and ultimately, more jobs.”
The Finance Minister highlighted the energy sector as a critical constraint to Liberia’s growth, noting that electricity access currently serves less than 40 percent of the population. He revealed that energy is a priority under the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, with targets to raise electricity access to over 75 percent in the medium term.
“Ask any small business what their biggest cost is, and many will say power,” he explained, pointing out that high electricity costs undermine the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises reliant on generators and expensive fuel.
Responding to skepticism over the government’s claim of creating more than 70,000 short- and medium-term jobs over the past two years, Minister Ngafuan defended the figure as realistic. He noted that it averages roughly 35,000 jobs per year—or just over 2,000 jobs annually per county—and highlighted that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning alone supported 277 interns last year.
Acknowledging the need for improved systems to track employment across ministries, Minister Ngafuan maintained that measurable progress is being made.
Addressing concerns that infrastructure projects overlook everyday household needs, the Minister cited improved road connectivity to southeastern Liberia as evidence of tangible benefits. He explained that faster transport times reduce costs, expand market access for farmers, and contribute to lower domestic food prices.
“When farmers can bring their produce to market faster, prices fall. That directly affects inflation and puts more food on the table for ordinary Liberians,” he said.
Minister Ngafuan concluded by reaffirming the Boakai administration’s commitment to an inclusive development strategy, emphasizing that infrastructure investments are essential for attracting major investors and sustaining economic growth.
“If we want major investors to operate profitably in Liberia, we must fix our power and road challenges,” he said. “That is exactly what this government is doing.”
