Monrovia, Liberia – In a push for greater transparency and accountability in governance, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has concluded a week-long Open Budget Awareness Exercise across Montserrado County. Organized through the Open Budget Initiative (OBI) Office, the exercise aimed to enhance public access to budget information and foster citizen participation in fiscal planning.
The initiative focused on educating citizens about the Draft FY 2025 National Budget and gathering community-level input. It marked a significant step in the government’s ongoing effort to promote open governance, allowing ordinary Liberians to contribute to the decision-making processes affecting their lives.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Julius Boakai, Director for Budget, Policy, and Coordination, emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in the budget process. “The government’s budget is a plan outlining revenue-generating areas and how resources will be allocated to various activities. It’s essential for the public to understand and contribute to these processes,” he stated.
Boakai highlighted that the outreach was designed to solicit feedback from citizens and ensure that their voices are reflected in the draft budget submitted to the National Legislature. He noted that such engagement is a legal requirement and a critical step toward fostering trust between the government and its citizens.
Assistant Director for Budget Dissemination and Fiscal Transparency Carolyn Myers echoed these sentiments, urging citizens to support the government through consistent tax compliance. “Paying taxes is vital for national development. It enables the government to provide quality healthcare, build schools, construct roads and bridges, and improve education and the economy,” she explained.
Myers further emphasized that the awareness campaign aimed to reach urban and rural communities alike, ensuring that voices from all corners of Montserrado were heard.
Community members expressed their appreciation for the initiative, with some noting it as a groundbreaking step toward transparency. Kermo Sherrif, Community Chairman of Old Matadi, remarked, “In my 62 years, this is the first time.
