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LIMPAC Pledge LRD 100, 000 Toward Hult Prize Youth Enterpreneur & Innovative Initiative

LIMPAC Pledge LRD 100, 000 Toward Hult Prize Youth Enterpreneur & Innovative Initiative

On December 19th 2018, the Executive Director of the Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Mr. Del-Francis Wreh was invited to serve as a keynote speaker and an implementing partner and sponsor to the Hult Prize program held at the auditorium on the campus of the University of Liberia. The Hult prize is a platform that centers on youth empowerment and brings together students to compete globally by showcasing their innovative skills.  

 

The program held at the University Auditorium showcased 8 competing innovative projects about job creation across different sectors and communities in Liberia. The projects and business proposals were presented by eight groups of young Liberian students of the University of Liberia.

 

In a briefed remark, the LIMPAC boss, Mr. Del–Francis Wreh acknowledged how honored he was to be selected as one of the keynote speaker to give a motivational statement on entrepreneurship, innovation and research to young University students at the auditorium of the University of Liberia. He expressed excitement interacting with groups of young Liberian students sharing enormous ideas on different innovative projects about creating incomes and jobs in Liberia. Their effort he lamented brings joy to him and makes him to believe that they (students) are truly the emerging leaders that can ably move Liberia forward. He further lauded the effort of the organizers of the Hult Initiative and the leadership of the University of Liberia for mentoring young students under such an inspiring initiative.  He admonished the students for the different ideas and projects on jobs creation at the community levels, which by extension support Pillar Two of the Government of Liberia, Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), objectively poised to take one million Liberia out of poverty over the period of 5-years. The LIMPAC boss lamented “ I will inform Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Honorable Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., my boss that you have already started the implementation of the PAPD, and thank you once more for your extraordinary effort”

The LIMPAC boss further expressed LIMPAC willingness to partner with the organizers of the Hult Prize in the area of research, which he believe needs to be strengthened in Liberia to support the formulation of more innovative ideas for successful entrepreneurships and public administration. He later on behalf of the LIMPAC pledged 100,000 Liberian Dollars toward the traveling cost for the winner (group) who is expected to compete globally. This pledge represents LIMPAC second pledge in the space of month within 2018 towards scholarly initiatives on the campus of the University of Liberia. LIMPAC during the end of November 2018 at the induction ceremony of the  Lux –In- Tenebris Honors Scholars Program pledged LRD500,000 towards the dormitory cost of scholars under the program.

 

LIMPAC is a specialized unit within the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. The Center has responsibility for policy analysis, research and training of public officials in macroeconomic related issues in Liberia.

The Center, which is funded by the Government of Liberia and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) conducts policy researches and provide advisory services to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in addition to implementing capacity building training activities.

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NEWS SOCIAL WORK

LIMPAC Ends 2018 High, Certificates 57 civil servants at the End of 3rd Cycle of its Capacity Building Program

LIMPAC Ends 2018 High, Certificates 57 civil servants at the End of 3rd Cycle of its Capacity Building Program

The Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning concluded its third cycle and year-end exercise on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. During the program, about fifty –seven (57) civil servants of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism (MICAT) were certificated for successful completing a four weeks training course in. Basic MS Word, Basic MS Excel, Advance MS Excel as well as Basic Power point presentation skills.

 

Speaking during the occasion held Wednesday, December 19, 2018, on the 2nd Floor Conference Room of the MFDP, Assistant Minister of Administration, Hon, Patience Kollie Lawson lauded Liberia Macro Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) team for imparting knowledge into civil servants which she lamented was critical to building capable institutions in charge of implementing the Government of Liberia Pro-Poor Agenda. She congratulated the staffs for making the extra sacrifice in finding time to attend classes while at the same time performing their respective duties. Minister Lawson also thanked the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) for their support to LIMPAC and the capacity building program.

 

 ‘’ Staff are now equipped with computer knowledge today through the capacity-building of LIMPAC, so do not relent to practice and use the skills which you acquired’’ she added. Meanwhile, the Executive Director of LIMPAC, Del-Francis Wreh said the main goal of Liberian Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center’s Capacity Building Project is to improve the capacity of government employees in data analysis to support macroeconomic policy formulation, analysis, and strengthen the overall management’s process of government.

 

According to him, the third cycle is very historical today because it coincides with the festive season ‘’ thanks for the sacrifices you made in attending classes and congratulation on the knowledge and skills you have acquired, and please meaningfully used what you have learned to improve your job and help other in our various offices’’, the LIMPAC Executive Director added.

 

Reporting on the performance of the program for 2018 which totally free of tuition and fees, the LIMPAC boss mentioned that since the commencement of training in August 2018, about 378 civil servants enrolled and represented staff from Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism, the Legislative Budget Office (LBO), and the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo- Information Services (LISGIS).  About 45% of the total enrollment or 172   civil servants or 45% successfully completed and received various certificates of achievement in Basic MS-Word, Excel, Advanced Excel, Stata Statistical Software, & Microsoft PowerPoint. Female staff accounted for Forty percent (40%) of the successful candidates, while male accounted for 60%. 

With this statistics, the LIMPAC encouraged the dropouts and future candidates to take the training seriously by ensuring full attendance and completion of assignment and exams to successfully earn a certificate. He also congratulated the female graduates and encouraged more female candidates to take full advantage of the training to narrow the gender gap.

 

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Esmond C. Wolue of the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) representing staff outside of the MFDP, thank LIMPAC and Minister Tweah for magnanimously opening the training to staff outside MFDP including staff from MICAT where he works. He encouraged his colleagues to skills acquired wisely in their daily works and pleaded with LIMPAC and MFDP to extend the training to most institutions outside the MFDP. Mr. Esmond C. Wolue completed his training in data analysis using Microsoft Excel and was awarded his certificated of achievement.

 

LIMPAC is a specialized unit within the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. The Center has responsibility for policy analysis, research and training of public officials in macroeconomic related issues in Liberia. The Center, which is funded by the Government of Liberia and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) conducts policy researches and provide advisory services to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in addition to implementing capacity building training activities.

 

 

Established in 1991, the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF’s) mission is to build sustainable human and institutional capacity for sustainable growth, poverty reduction and economic transformation in Africa. The ultimate goal is to improve the lives and prospects of people throughout the African Continent. ACBF supports capacity development in Africa through grants, knowledge sharing and technical assistance to countries and regional and sub-regional organizations. ACBF’s approach to capacity development focuses on addressing capacity needs and gaps as well as on stakeholder ownership of interventions, project and program sustainability and synergy of interventions with other development funding institutions.

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LIMPAC Publishes Studies On How To Improve Domestic Resources Mobilization- Places Emphasis On Improving Tax Administration
Cover (PIC)

Limpac Publishes Studies On How To Improve Domestic Resources Mobilization- Places Emphasis On Improving Tax Administration.

The Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) through its local consultant; Consultant Management Enterprise (CME) has completed and published a study on Domestic Resource Mobilization with emphasis  on improving tax administration. The study, which was supervised by LIMPAC was funded by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). It was conducted using data collection and analyses, desk review, consultations, and interviews. It gives insights into the current challenges of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and other revenue generating institutions in administrating both tax and non-tax revenues.

 

This study is of critical importance because domestic resource mobilization is critically important funding programs and projects of Liberia’s new development agenda; the pro-poor agenda for prosperity and development (PAPD). The PAPD centered on four key pillars projects strong desire of the Government of Liberia over the next five years to meet the high expectations of positively transforming the lives of Liberians. The preliminary cost estimate of the PAPD is US$7 billion and over the 5yrs of the PAPD implementation, domestic revenue generation is estimated at US$3bn. This projects an equivalent financing gap of US$4.5bn, which raises significant concerns for leveraging on domestic resources mobilization in addition to grants and debt financing.

 

The study in its recommendations emphasized robust reforms in tax administrations, especially in tax education and taxpayer services, training and support for tax auditors, digitization of tax payment, and investment in physical infrastructure of rural tax collectorates.

 

Link to the report: https://limpac.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Domestic_Resource_Mobilization-MRD.pdf 

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ECONOMY NEWS SOCIAL WORK

Speech Delivered by Hon. Del-Francis Wreh, Executive Director / LIMPAC
Del-Francis (PIC)

Speech delivered by Hon. Del-Francis Wreh, Executive Director / LIMPAC
Fendall Campus, 23 November 2018

Prof. Dr. Ophelia Inez Weeks, President – University of Liberia,

Prof. Dr. William E. Allen, Vice President – Academic Affairs, 

Asst. Prof. Mamawa M. Freeman-Moore, Founding Director /

Honors Scholars Program

The UL Administration, The Faculty and Members of the UL Council,

The President and Members – University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU)

The Scholars and Incoming Scholars,

Members of the Organizing Committee Member of the Full Estate,

Distinguished Guests Friends, Colleagues and Students, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

 

I am deeply honored and humbled by the invitation to serve as Guest Speaker for this very important occasion, the induction ceremony of the LUX – IN – TENEBRIS Scholars Program, for the admittance of sixty-five honors students for academic year 2018-2019. In this direction, I warmly appreciate the leadership of Professor Mamawa Freeman Moore in coordination with the University of Liberia’s authorities for the tireless effort in keeping the scholars program alive and on the right path. As I am impressed by the academic excellence of the inductees, let me also thank you Professor Mamawa Freeman for your leadership, you have earned my sincere admiration.

 

 As I observe the increased academic activities on the campus of the University of Liberia, it makes me better even though it also makes me to reflect on my days at the University of Liberia in early the 2000 when academic activities were repeatedly disrupted because of limited or no financial support from the Government of Liberia under authority of Former President Charles Ghankay Taylor. I also sadly reflect on how students and scholars of the University of Liberia including myself were targets of state sponsored brutality and intimidation. These actions did not only physically shutdown the University of Liberia but also impaired the mental and physical abilities of the students to pursue education and academic excellence. Sadly, the resulting outcomes can be summarized in the poor output of some or most of our university students across Liberia. I reflect on these because I too was forced to leave University of Liberia (our nation premier university) after just two semesters to attend the African Methodist Episcopal University, which was by far regular but very expensive. I like many of my colleagues would have been a full victim or “nobody” today, lacking university education if not for the special Grace of God through friends and families who tirelessly provided the financial and moral support for me to complete college education. They truly set the critical stage for my professional growth and now I am very proud serving as guest speaker at this unique occasion. 

 

Difficult periods of the University of Liberia and other institutions of higher learning also mirror many difficult periods in Liberia that undermined the delivery of public services at the lower level of governance. These failures in service deliveries must be corrected and correcting it requires the collaborative efforts of the higher learning Institutions (like the UL) and students like the honor scholars who can commit research efforts to identifying policy challenges and the corresponding doable recommendations. This is one of the key objectives for preparing you; the scholars and honors Students so that you can make sustainable contribution to our country National Development agendas.

 

When the title was raised, I noted the key words “sustainable contribution” and “preparing honor students.” My talk will discuss the underpinning elements and compelling rationale on why we must prepare the next generation especially those who have traversed turbulent circumstances but yet demonstrate academic excellence. The second part of my deliberation will indulge into the concept of sustainable contribution and the impact on the gains experienced over the last few years and the expected impact on socioeconomic growth under the leadership of President George Manneh Weah through the successful implementation of the Pro-Poor Agenda for prosperity and development (PAPD). 

 

The word preparation is the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration. But preparation cannot be done in isolation of Education. Education is an ideal model for preparing the next generation of leaders and productive citizens. It is the sine qua non of modeling and creating a workforce that can drive the economy, establish a functional society, create peace and socioeconomic stability. While it has been argued that education can be defined in variant respects, for our purpose, it is the process of providing formal knowledge especially at the tertiary level.

 

Without quality education, the society spirals into waste where ignorance thrives over wisdom, dishonesty becomes the widely accepted norms, and integrity and principle-centered decisions are second to disingenuousness. An advanced society is not only measured by the number of students that are admitted or have graduated from the university; it is not only the number of degree holders that are holding strategic positions; it is also not only the articulation and eloquence of the citizens; but by the level of effort which each student is required to invest while at the university, the quality of the instructions, and the technology/infrastructure that exist. These factors, must at all times, drive our desire and aspirations for preparing the next generation.

 

We must detest any form of weakness and overt display of paper-made diploma/degrees to demonstrate our acceptance and preparation for the task in providing transformative leadership for the greater good of our society. The system for preparing our next generation must entail and instill the discipline for genuine success.  It must be productive and matched by efficiency, reliability, creativity, and innovation. The education programs in Liberia must respect and reward brilliance and hard work over mediocrity and laziness; it must accept development of new ideas through an innovative and ingenious approach rather than suppression of freedom of expression of thoughts; it must support the best and deserving students but not let the weak ones unattended; it must encourage dissent, not disrespect to authorities and fellow colleagues; it must promote full utilization of the human mind through non academic programs.

 

Our honors student coming into this program must show true colors of scholars, determine with a strong sense of responsibility, honesty, hard work and professionalism. This is only when we will see “the light at the end of the tunnel” or “the brighter side of life.” Anything short of designing a system that underpins the above aspirations and elements of a balanced and supportive education system will lead to chaos in the larger society.

For our honor students to make sustainable contributions to our National Development; the Pro-Poor Agenda for prosperity & Development and other future development agenda, we all within the government, academic community, and private sector must provide needed incentives for our students / scholars to rise up to the challenges of the academic environment and society. 

 

To our honor students, your contributions to national development must not be skewed and hinged predominantly on your membership or relationship with the ruling party or a particular opposition political party. It must not only be based on government jobs or support. Rather, it must be based on the level of education and the possibility to reshape the national discourse and development programs. Some of you (scholars) may get a placement in a decent company or organization or government agency while some may not. Those who get the opportunity off the university must harness and leverage it to the extent that the next person in line can be trusted and provided with similar opportunity. Do not get a new job and think your duty to society stops with the job. A new job is not a platform to enrich yourself but to make meaningful and sustained contribution to the society so that others underprivileged at lower end of society benefit, manifesting the pro-poor ideology. You must set yourself apart and use the wisdom continuously to find solution to the perennial challenges facing the community. 

 

Today as you match into the LUX – IN – TENEBRIS Scholars Program, you have become a focus of attention, requiring you to subscribe to cardinal standards, which include:  

 

1. Striving for excellence: developing a strong work ethic and consciously doing one’s very best in all aspects of college.

 

2. Cultivating personal and academic integrity: recognizing and acting on a sense of honor. 

 

3. Contributing to a larger community: recognizing and acting on one’s responsibility to the educational community and to the wider societylocal, national, and global. 

 

4. Taking seriously the perspectives of others: recognizing and acting on the obligation to inform one’s own judgment; engaging diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work.

 

5. Developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning: developing and using ethical and moral reasoning in your learning and in your life. 

 

As we all strive to make sustainable contributions for the achievement of the Pro-Poor Agenda, the Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center sees you, the honor students and general student body, and entire UL leadership and family as critical partners for collaboration.  Consistent with this belief, LIMPAC has remained engaged with the University of Liberia; providing support to the financial aid programs of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU) and other campus based organizations. LIMPAC has also remained engaged by completing the modernization of the Research and Computer Training Lab for the Department of Economics. With support from the Government of Liberia and UNDP, we have equipped the lab with computers and modern statistical software. And we at LIMPAC still want to remain engaged with the University of Liberia.

 

As one of the emerging Policy Think Tanks in Liberia, LIMPAC welcomes recent decision by H.E. President George Manneh Weah on free tuition for undergraduate students of the University of Liberia and students of community colleges across Liberia.  This decision is true manifestation of a Pro-Poor initiative especially during these critical periods of economic difficulties. To minimize potential abuse and misuse of the tuition free policy, LIMPAC will provide policy advisory services (like we have done in other policy areas) to the UL and GoL to the guide policy implementation to ensure that the targeted beneficiaries are truly covered and value for money is achieved.

 

It is in this same respect that LIMPAC has become very concerned with the financial challenges faced by the honor scholar programs with respect the payment of dormitory fees for existing and incoming honor students.  The Stakeholders holders; including the businesses and corporate organizations must take action using funding from their social corporate responsibility to support the honor scholars program.  We all must take actions and provide support in the same way we are demanding excellence from each of our honor students. 

 

LIMPAC does not have all the financial support you need, but in “OUR PROPOOR STRENGHT AND VOICE” with the support of the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Hon. Samuel D Tweah, Jr.  LIMPAC WILL MAKE A CASH CONTRIBUTION OF  500,000LRD toward the dormitory cost for this current academic year. We kindly ask the authority of the Scholar program to make a formal request to ensure timely processing and payment of this pledge.

 

Madam President and members of the University of Liberia leadership, we want LIMPAC relationship with the university of Liberia to get beyond support to financial aid programs, to a strong partnership in the areas of empirical research, policy analyses, and capacity building to help support the design and implementations of meaningful public programs in Liberia. Partnership with various departments at University of Liberia in conducting evidence based research studies can contribute to more doable policy formulation and implementation to achieve sustainable economy growth. Our capacity building target will also include mentorship and internship programs for honor students, which is also critical for preparing students to make sustainable contribution to national development. We look forward to cementing this partnership in the interest the University of Liberia and LIMPAC. 

 

Long live the LUX – IN – TENEBRIS Scholars Program, long live the University of Liberia, and long live Mama Liberia. 

 

Thank you and God Bless You! 

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LIMPAC Concluded A One (1) Day Forum On A Research Report Funded By The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) On The Impact Of UNMIL Draw-Down On The Liberian Economy

The Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) within the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning (MFDP) concluded a one (1) day forum on a research report funded by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) on the impact of UNMIL draw-down on the Liberian Economy. The forum attracted Economic gurus from both the public and private sectors to discuss the economic impact of the withdrawal of UNMIL and proffer workable short, medium and long terms solutions. The forum was divided into two sections. During the first session, the consultant made presentation on the full report of the impact of UNMIL. The second segment was a panel discussion of knowledgeable stakeholders from the public and private sectors about additional recommendations and strategies on short, medium, and long-term diversification programs. In introductory remarks, LIMPAC’s Executive Director Mr. Del- Francis Wreh used the occasion to extend profound gratitude to the African Capacity Building foundation (ACBF) for its continuous financial and technical supports towards research paper “Assessing the Economic Impact on the Draw-down of UNMIL on the Liberia Economic”, a research study done by Agency for Economic Development & Empowerment (AEDE) headed by Mr. Samuel Thompson. Mr. Wreh threw light on some of the achievements of LIMPAC with funding from the ACBF including three research papers of which two have been completed and validated including Assessing the Economic Impact on the Draw-down of UNMIL on the Liberia Economic. According to Mr. Wreh, the Economic Forecasting & Training Lab which was launched five months ago was also funded by ACBF under its quick win projects of 2017, and has been used to trained government employees in data entry and statistical data modeling using Stata. Speaking as official launcher of the forum, Hon. Tweah hinted on the completion of the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) policy paper and its readiness to be launched in the coming weeks.

He further stated that the PAPD remains committed to its priorities which are road connectivity and Human Capital Development. Adding on, he abreast Liberians that the economic meltdown is not unique to Liberia; the uniqueness in the economic to Liberia is the Ebola shock and the withdrawal of UNMIL, therefore something should be done to address the aforementioned impacts. It is a global crisis as interest rates skyrocket in the United States and the decline in the prices of raw commodities. He warns Liberia of the forth-coming global recession and tells Liberian economists to move fast in order to mitigate the effects on the Liberian economy, Minister Tweah Stated. According to Hon. Tweah, in order to reduce the pressure on the exchange rate in a dual currency economy, Liberia should move to a cashless economy through the use of mobile money. 

During the presentation on the report, Mr. Samuel Thompson, Managing Partner of AEDE argued that if laws on land rights are solved in Liberia, the African Growth Initiative and the Tony Blair foundation estimated that Liberia can increase its current production from forty thousand (40,000) hectors to one hundred eighty-five thousand (185,000) hectors within the palm oil industry, which according to him has more potential of withstanding commodity price stocks. With this potential, he intimated that the oil palm industry could take over from the iron ore and rubber in leading growth in Liberian economy. Presenting further, Mr. Thompson indicated that the GDP’s impact of UNMIL drawdown is huge on economy but minimum on the inflation and foreign exchange rates, as the two are mainly driven by the Liberia’s unfavorable trade balance and current account balance. The second segment of the forum a panel discussions that was used for provide alternative views and recommendations on the consultant report the general performance of the Liberia economy. The panel discussants included Hon. Augustus J. Flomo, Deputy Minister for Economic Management, Ministry of Finance & Development Planning, Dr. Lester Tenny, Vice President for Technical Service, NOCAL, Atty. Kou Dorliae, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and Dr. James F. Davis, Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Hon. Francis A. Dennis, President Emeritus, Liberia Chambers of Commerce and Mr. Stanley Kamara, Country Economist, UNDP. The panel articulated that UNMIL presence in the country and their mild economic contribution just masked the structural inefficiencies of the economy that was already pronounced in the country since the civil crises. This clearly points to the argument that UNMIL presence did not substantively address did not address the structural challenges of the economy even though the presence of the force created an enabling security environment for both public and private investments. The panelists deepen that argument on diversification, calling on the Government of Liberia to take smart decisions that support diversification and value addition not only into oil palm, but other short cycle food and cash crops in which Liberia has dynamic comparative advantage. They suggested value addition in cocoa, rice, cassava, livestock, aquaculture, etc. to support food security while also supporting a positive trade balance that supports exchange rate stability. Members of the panel unanimously agreed that capacity building to fill critical skill gap is important to achieve diversification but narrowing such skill gaps mean reorganization of curriculum across higher institutions of learning to increase the emphasis on technical skills.

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