The Status of Unemployment in Liberia: A Comparative Analysis of the Agenda for Transformation (AFT) and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) Proposals for Poverty Alleviation

By Abraham Delleh Wala, MA

Introduction

This research seeks to discuss in depth the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) and the Liberia Agenda for Transformation (AfT). The Agenda for Transformation (AfT) was the Government of Liberia’s five-year development strategy covering 2012–2017. It followed the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and was designed as a medium-term framework toward Liberia’s long-term development vision, Liberia Rising 2030 (Government of Liberia (GoL), 2012). The AfT recognized that a five-year development strategy could not accomplish all of Liberia’s long-term aspirations but was intended to establish the foundation for achieving broader national development objectives. The strategy emphasized the transformation of Liberia from post-conflict recovery toward a more prosperous and inclusive society (GoL, 2012). Liberia’s development planning also reflected international commitments, including the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action, and the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States.

Liberia experienced a period of relative peace and political stabilization following the end of the civil conflict in 2003. The country subsequently conducted democratic elections and implemented several short- and medium-term development programs aimed at reconstruction and poverty reduction. These included the 150-Day Action Plan, the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy covering 2008–2011 (GoL, 2012). These initiatives contributed to the country’s transition from post-conflict emergency recovery toward longer-term development. Nevertheless, Liberia continued to face significant poverty, infrastructure deficits, institutional weaknesses, and human-capital challenges (World Bank, 2012).

The Government of Liberia subsequently adopted the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) 2018–2023 as the second five-year National Development Plan under the Liberia Vision 2030 framework. The PAPD followed the AfT and incorporated lessons from the implementation of the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Poverty Reduction Strategy (Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), 2018). The PAPD was designed to promote accelerated, inclusive, and sustainable development and to address constraints associated with poverty, weak infrastructure, limited human capital, unemployment, and unequal access to economic opportunities (MFDP, 2018). The PAPD recognizes that Liberia possesses substantial human and natural resources but faces significant constraints in converting these resources into broad-based economic prosperity. It therefore emphasizes human-capital development, economic growth and job creation, social inclusion, peace and security, and accountable governance (MFDP, 2018).

1.1 Definition of Concept

The concepts underlying this research recognize that Liberia faces significant developmental challenges affecting human capital, infrastructure, employment, poverty, and institutional capacity. Consequently, effective implementation of the Agenda for Transformation and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development remains important to Liberia’s national development process (GoL, 2012; MFDP, 2018). Poverty is a major development challenge in Liberia. Development planning therefore requires clearly defined goals, policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, and mechanisms for implementation and monitoring. Both domestic government policies and international development partnerships have played important roles in Liberia’s development planning (GoL, 2012; MFDP, 2018). The PAPD was organized around four major pillars: Power to the People; The Economy and Jobs; Sustaining the Peace; and Governance and Transparency. These pillars were intended to address human-capital development, economic transformation and employment, social cohesion and peace, and accountable and effective governance (MFDP, 2018). The Government of Liberia described the PAPD as a five-year national development plan designed to guide accelerated, inclusive, and sustainable development.

1.2 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research is to examine and comparatively analyze the status and root causes of unemployment and poverty in Liberia in relation to the proposals contained in the Agenda for Transformation (AfT) and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). The study seeks to investigate who, where, why, what, and how the AfT and PAPD could contribute to poverty alleviation and employment creation in Liberia.

The major objectives include:

1. To build capable and trusted state institutions that can contribute to a stable, resilient, and inclusive nation;
2. To provide greater income security and reduce poverty through sustained and inclusive economic growth, supported by investments in agriculture, infrastructure, human-resource development, and social protection;
3. To empower Liberians through equitable access to education, health, youth development, and social protection;
4. To promote economic stability and job creation through effective resource mobilization and prudent economic management;
5. To promote social cohesion and peace as foundations for sustainable development;
6. To promote an inclusive, accountable, and effective public sector capable of supporting shared prosperity and sustainable development.

1.3 Methodology

The research adopts a qualitative and comparative research approach, examining the policy objectives, strategies, implementation frameworks, and development priorities contained in the Agenda for Transformation and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development. The PAPD represented a shift in development thinking from a model heavily dependent on foreign direct investment in extractive and concession-based economic activities toward a broader approach emphasizing inclusive economic growth, human capital, infrastructure, private-sector development, and domestic resource mobilization (MFDP, 2018).
The PAPD established a national coordination framework involving a National Steering Committee and pillar-level coordination mechanisms to monitor progress toward development outcomes and resource requirements (MFDP, 2018). The plan also established quantitative development targets relating to economic growth, agriculture, energy, roads, telecommunications, environmental protection, and domestic and external resource mobilization (MFDP, 2018).

1.4 Structure of the Paper

This research is structured systematically to examine the causes and dimensions of poverty in Liberia, with particular emphasis on comparing the Agenda for Transformation and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development. The research examines Liberia’s historical transition from post-conflict recovery toward inclusive growth and wealth creation. It further examines national visioning, economic growth and development, governance, poverty, unemployment, social vulnerability, and the four pillars of the PAPD. The AfT represented a five-year national development framework covering 2012–2017, while the PAPD succeeded it as another five-year development framework. Government documents confirm that the PAPD was informed by lessons learned from the AfT and the earlier Poverty Reduction Strategy (MFDP, 2020).

2.0 Poverty in Liberia

Liberia is located on the western coast of Africa and is bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into 15 administrative counties. Liberia’s demographic and socioeconomic characteristics have been significantly influenced by its history of civil conflict, post-war reconstruction, urbanization, and population growth (LISGIS, 2008). According to the 2008 Population and Housing Census, Liberia’s population was approximately 3.5 million people. Population growth, urbanization, youth demographics, and regional disparities have important implications for employment creation, education, health, and poverty reduction (LISGIS, 2008).

2.1 Dimension of Poverty in Liberia

Poverty can be measured through several approaches, including income, consumption, access to basic services, and multidimensional indicators. Liberia’s poverty situation has historically been severe. The World Bank reported that approximately 63.8 percent of Liberia’s population was poor in 2007, with poverty estimated at approximately 67.7 percent in rural areas and 55.1 percent in urban areas (World Bank, 2012). The Unmet Basic Needs (UBN) approach provides another means of understanding poverty. It considers factors such as housing conditions, ownership of assets, and access to health services, safe water, sanitation, literacy, and employment status. The UBN approach demonstrates that poverty in Liberia extends beyond income and is closely associated with inadequate access to essential services and infrastructure (GoL, 2012). The World Bank’s analysis similarly shows that poverty in Liberia has historically been disproportionately concentrated in rural areas, demonstrating the importance of geographic location in understanding poverty and vulnerability (World Bank, 2012).

2.1.2 Other Dimensions of Poverty in Liberia

The dimensions of poverty in Liberia include limited access to infrastructure, unemployment and underemployment, inadequate education, and limited access to health services. These dimensions are interconnected and contribute to low productivity and persistent vulnerability (GoL, 2012). Employment is particularly important to poverty reduction because access to productive and decent work provides households with income and greater economic security. Liberia’s labor market has historically been characterized by significant informality, vulnerable employment, and low productivity (International Labour Organization (ILO), 2010). Education also represents an important dimension of poverty. Years of conflict disrupted Liberia’s education system, while disparities in educational attainment and literacy persisted between urban and rural populations and among counties (LISGIS, 2008; GoL, 2012). Health is another major dimension of poverty. The 2013 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey provides evidence concerning maternal and child health, nutrition, fertility, and other health indicators (LISGIS & Ministry of Health, 2014). The 2013 survey reported that approximately 32 percent of Liberian children under five were stunted, demonstrating the continuing human-development challenges facing the country (World Bank, 2020).

2.2.1 Patterns of Poverty and Vulnerability

Poverty and vulnerability in Liberia have both geographic and demographic dimensions. Education, gender, employment status, household characteristics, and place of residence influence people’s exposure to poverty (World Bank, 2012). Education is strongly associated with household economic wellbeing. Households headed by persons with higher levels of education generally have better economic outcomes than households headed by persons with limited educational attainment (World Bank, 2012). Similarly, women and rural populations have historically experienced disadvantages in access to productive assets, employment opportunities, and economic resources (GoL, 2012). Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty because inadequate nutrition, health care, education, sanitation, and protection can have long-term consequences for human development. The 2013 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey provides evidence of continuing challenges in child nutrition and health (LISGIS & Ministry of Health, 2014). Youth unemployment and limited access to employable skills also constitute major development concerns. The PAPD therefore places significant emphasis on youth development, education, employment, and economic opportunities (MFDP, 2018).

2.2.2 Vulnerability and Inequality

Liberia has adopted various domestic laws and international commitments aimed at protecting human rights, promoting gender equality, protecting children, and reducing social vulnerability. These include constitutional protections, legislation concerning inheritance and gender equality, laws against sexual and human trafficking, the Children’s Law, and international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and relevant African Union human-rights instruments. These legal and institutional frameworks are important because poverty reduction is not simply an economic issue; it also involves equality, human rights, social protection, access to justice, and participation in national development (United Nations, 2015).

3.0 Conclusion

Liberia’s post-conflict development experience demonstrates the relationship between peace, poverty reduction, economic development, governance, and social inclusion. The country’s development strategies have increasingly emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and strengthening institutions while addressing the structural causes of poverty and unemployment (GoL, 2012; MFDP, 2018). Agriculture remains strategically important to Liberia’s economic transformation, employment generation, food security, and poverty reduction. The PAPD therefore emphasizes agricultural development, infrastructure, private-sector development, and improvements in value chains as important pathways toward inclusive growth (MFDP, 2018). Infrastructure deficits, limited access to energy, inadequate feeder roads, weak market systems, limited access to finance, and institutional constraints have historically restricted agricultural productivity and private-sector development. Addressing these constraints is therefore essential to improving employment opportunities and reducing poverty (MFDP, 2018). The relationship between poverty, unemployment, weak investor confidence, crime, insecurity, and conflict further demonstrates why economic and social development must be integrated with peacebuilding, justice, and accountable governance (GoL, 2012).

3.1 Recommendations

Based on the comparative review of the Agenda for Transformation and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, the study recommends:

1. Policy Consistency: The Government should ensure consistency, continuity, and adherence to national development policies because effective implementation is critical to achieving sustainable national development.
2. Implementation of PAPD Pillars: The four PAPD pillars should be supported by clearly defined programs, measurable indicators, adequate financing, and effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms (MFDP, 2018).
3. Address Structural Challenges: Liberia’s development policies should continue to address structural constraints relating to poverty, unemployment, infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and institutional capacity.
4. Strengthen Implementation Frameworks: National development goals and objectives should be accompanied by clear implementation standards, institutional responsibilities, timelines, performance indicators, and accountability mechanisms.
5. Strengthen Domestic and International Partnerships: Government should improve domestic resource mobilization while maintaining effective partnerships with development partners and investors to finance priority development programs (MFDP, 2018).

References

1. Government of Liberia. (2012). Agenda for Transformation: Steps toward Liberia Rising 2030. Government of Liberia.
2. Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS). (2008). 2008 National Population and Housing Census. Government of Liberia.
3. Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), & Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. (2014). Liberia Demographic and Health Survey 2013. Government of Liberia.
4. Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). (2018). Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD): A five-year national development plan towards accelerated, inclusive and sustainable development, July 2018–June 2023. Government of Liberia.
5. Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). (2020). Budget framework paper FY2020/2021. Government of Liberia.
6. World Bank. (2012). Liberia: Poverty and vulnerability assessment. World Bank.
7. World Bank. (2020). Liberia institutional foundations to improve services for health project. World Bank.
8. United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations.

About the Author: Abraham Delleh Wala | abrahamdellehwala@gmail.com