Liberia Faces Development Setback as U.S. Cuts USAID $17 Million Aid, Finance Minister Vows Resilience

Monrovia, Liberia: Liberia’s Finance Minister, Augustine Ngafuan, has expressed concern over the recent cancellation of a $17 million USAID-sponsored project, emphasizing its potential to significantly impact the nation’s development. In an interview with VOA’s James Butty, Minister Ngafuan highlighted the critical role USAID has played as Liberia’s second-largest donor, following the World Bank, in financing essential sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and elections.

“The suspension of this substantial funding will undoubtedly have both direct and indirect effects on our developmental progress,” Minister Ngafuan stated. He elaborated that the halted projects were integral to various reform initiatives, including tax system overhauls and the enhancement of domestic revenue generation.

Despite this setback, Minister Ngafuan conveyed confidence in Liberia’s resilience. “While this presents a significant challenge, Liberia has a history of overcoming obstacles. We are committed to reassessing our strategies and mobilizing domestic resources to mitigate the impact of this aid suspension,” he affirmed.

The minister also mentioned ongoing efforts to engage with other international partners and regional organizations to explore alternative support avenues. “Our focus is on fostering new collaborations and strengthening existing ones to ensure the continuity of our development agenda,” he noted.

In conclusion, Minister Ngafuan called upon Liberians to remain steadfast and united during this period of uncertainty. “Our collective resilience and determination will guide us through these challenges as we continue on our path toward sustainable development,” he encouraged.