Liberia and U.S. Sign Increased Annual Assistance Agreements

Thursday, 10th December 2009

Monrovia, Liberia - The Governments of Liberia and the United States have signed an agreement under which the United States will increase its annual assistance to Liberia.  The United States will provide nearly USD$220 million in funding and technical assistance to support every pillar of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, otherwise referred to as the “Lift Liberia” initiative.  Of the total, USD$164 million is provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and another USD$55 million will support the training of security forces through the Department of State.

The United States Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Liberian Foreign Minister Olubanke King-Akerele, signed the four amended Assistance Agreements at a ceremony on December 10 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia. The Agreements support: (1) Governing Justly and Democratically; (2) Investing in People (health and education); and (3) Promoting Equitable Economic Growth (agriculture and food security).

The USD$148,724,858 linked to the four Assistance Agreements will support development priorities in Liberia, demonstrating continued commitment to the country’s peace and prosperity. USAID is also providing an additional USD$14,864,356 for projects in Liberia, using other instruments outside of the Agreements, thus bringing total assistance in 2009 to USD$163,589,214 – an amount which Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield says represents an increase of USD$60 million over the previous year.

In addition to these Assistance Agreements, the U.S. Ambassador noted that her government is providing over USD$55 million in 2009 for security sector reform and a strengthened and effective police force.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, speaking during the signing ceremony, described the Agreements as a reaffirmation of the strong partnership that exists between the Government and people of Liberia and the United States. She praised the U.S. government’s support for Liberia’s policies, strategies and programs.

The President urged the United States to help attract private sector investment in the country to help move the economy.  “We urge you to work with us to go beyond aid and help us create opportunities that will touch the lives of our people in terms of jobs, so that they won’t have to rely on handouts,” the Liberian leader emphasized.

The ceremony was witnessed by senior Government officials, including the Ministers of Finance, Defense, Justice, Planning & Economic Affairs, and Labor.

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