Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has dismissed allegations that the government is overspending the FY2024 national budget, describing the claims as misleading and rooted in a lack of understanding of Liberia’s fiscal operations.
Speaking during a nationwide radio program on Thursday, Ngafuan emphasized the need for “budget literacy” to address misconceptions surrounding the government’s financial practices. He criticized self-proclaimed “budget experts” for making what he described as uninformed claims that undermine public confidence in the country’s budgeting process.
“There is a severe gap in budget literacy that must be addressed,” Ngafuan said. “It is troubling when individuals who lack the expertise make sweeping claims about overspending, undermining the integrity of the budget process.”
Ngafuan defended the government’s spending practices, arguing that any instances of budget adjustments are lawful and align with established regulations. He pointed to the Budget Transfer Law, which permits the reallocation of funds between budget lines to address urgent or unforeseen needs such as national disasters, state funerals, by-elections, and other emergencies.
The finance minister’s remarks come in response to recent media reports accusing the government of exceeding its approved budget. Ngafuan rejected these reports as “unfounded” and maintained that all financial decisions are made within the boundaries of the law.
