CIAO DATE: 09/2008
May 2008
United States Institute of Peace
Improving economic management after almost two decades of violent conflict and civil unrest has been a top priority of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's reform agenda since her January 2006 inauguration. In April 2008, her administration could point to appreciable improvements in fiscal performance and economic progress, signs that the desired enhancements in economic management may have started to materialize. Many observers speculate whether these developments could be attributed to the country's multi-stakeholder Governance and Economic Management Assistance Program (GEMAP). If so, what lessons could be learned for other post-conflict countries?
At an April 9, 2008 USIP event on the subject, the Liberian Finance Minister, the Honorable Antoinette Sayeh, reflected on GEMAP's impact, highlighted some challenges and discussed its applicability as a model for other countries. While recognizing the program's contributions, she emphasized that it is only one component of a much broader framework of reforms initiated since 2006. Sayeh also underscored the vital leadership role that President Sirleaf has played in the design and implementation of Liberia's public expenditure reform program.
Responding to Sayeh's remarks were Eric Nelson, principal associate at Nathan Associates (Virginia, USA) and Raymond Gilpin, director of the Economies and Conflict Center of Innovation. Daniel Serwer, vice president of the Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations, moderated.
Resource link: Is Liberia’s Governance and Economic Management Assistance Program a "Necessary Intrusion?" [PDF] - 77K