Cabinet Ministers Undergo Public Scrutiny

Unlike other media institutions and organizations which usually flowers honors on public officials at the end of every year, we have chosen not to follow the honoring band wagon, instead the NEW VISION has a tradition at scrutinizing, the performances of public officials including senior cabinet ministers, and heads of public institutions to remind them of their pitfalls and achievements in office for the time they have served there.

The government has made several promises and set aside an agenda with specific target objectives to achieve in the first half of the six years tenure. As the Sirleaf -led Administration enters its Ninth year in Office today, Thursday, January 16, 2014, the NEW VISION is pleased to present to its reading public the achievements and failures of public officials, thereby highlighting the successes, misfortunes, pitfalls and challenges.

Achieving these objectives for the benefit of the Liberian population would not become a reality unless those assigned with serious responsibilities of realizing President Johnson Sirleal’s agenda are prepared to make the difference at their respective jobs. It is against this background that this paper decided to grade the performances of public officials and also highlight their activities in the content of achievements and failures.

We believe in a better and prosperous Liberia since indeed this is the only country that we belong to and as such it requires every Liberian’s collective contributions to move this country forward. Midway into her second term, President Johnson-Sirleaf has acknowledged some of the problems in her administration and has put her senior officials on alert that changes are in in the making a statement captured in her news briefing regularly.

In her inaugural speech President Johnson Sirleaf promised to change the image of Liberia for the better and improve the livelihood of every Liberian coupled with the restoration of essential basic social services. But have the President and her team lived up to their own chosen assignments to the aspirations of the Liberian people? With just 24 hours since the UP led government took office the government appears to be making some progress in fulfilling some of its deliverables but the issue of corruption remains a major problem. To date public transport, better health delivery system, standardized feeder road network have been addressed.

Up to date, government’s public relations still remains poor as majority of the ministries, corporations and agencies run dead websites, with some having no website to follow their activities, as a result, those in the diaspora solely relied on the online websites which usually carried biased reports against the government. This area is one of the major shortcomings of government, therefore placing it in a disadvantaged position to recount positivity in the country and to dispel negativity in the diaspora. During the nine-year period under review, the government has scored some successes in the areas of the restoration of certain essential basic social services, increment in Civil servants salaries, entrancing Liberia’s ties with powerful nations as well as improving revenue generation,

increase in civil servants’ monthly salary, settlement of Liberia’s external and domestic debt, rehabilitation of major roads, restoration of electricity and safe drinking water to part of the Monrovia and its environment and the stability in the country. The NEW VISION recollects the government’s promises, figuring out successes and failures during the past nine years of the UP led government. It is worth noting that some cabinet ministers and directors performed relatively well while others performed miserably to the disbelief of the public as they could not measure up to the period they have occupied their respective offices for the period under review. Considering the scores of cabinet ministers and their senior government officials for the period, the NEW VISION through mathematical calculation arrived at its final Grade Points Average (GPA). It is in this light that we have decided to place our cabinet ministers and heads of government agencies into public scrutiny. Considering every variable, the question on the minds of Liberian is.

“Has the Johnson Sirleaf’s eight years in office brought about improvement in the country and any change in the lives of ordinary Liberians or was these year a big disappointment? The NEW VISION editor reports on how much the functionaries of government achieved and what were their failures and successes during the past eight years, with an extra result of each senior public official including the President.Ministry Of Information, Cultural Affairs & TourismInformation Minister Lewis BrownScore: “F” The Minister Brown while facing senate confirmation described MICAT under former Minister Sieh as a “sleeping giant” before his eyes has now gone into perpetrated coma, million miles beyond the status of a sleeping giant. As a result, the Ministry remains invisible; it has been reduced to reacting to public instead of playing its role as was created by an Act of the Legislature in 1965 and subsequently reorganized under Decrees 46 and 47 of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC) for the purpose of promoting Cultural and Tourism activities through various cultural and traditional dances, artistic and historic exhibitions on display at the National Museum, as well as through the development of tourism or touristic sites such as the Providence Island and many more.

Today, very little is heard about Liberia’s traditional performers, artists or musicians. The government ministry responsible for developing and disseminating “factual” information about Liberia’s culture and tourism at home and abroad has deviated from its core mandate and has instead been relegated to a mouthpiece for the presidency and minimizing the effectiveness of the press secretary’s position. The most successful trend has been the continued emergence of Hipco. The ministry has watered down its mandate and now tasked itself with disseminating government’s policies and programs through its regular Thursday Press Briefing, Press Releases, Radio and Television Talk Shows, Community Outreach, Audio and Television, Graphics and Billboards, the Internet, the New Liberia Newspaper (the official publication that comes out of the MICAT), and many other non-conventional means of reaching the general public. It was a bad year for the MOI capped by a major row with the General Auditing Commission (GAC) which took Minister Lewis Brown and his deputies to task after they "rubbished" reports issued by the General Auditing Commission as not being competent for prosecution.

The GAC slammed the MOI’s position as an affront to its efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in public sector financial management in Liberia. ”It is very unfortunate that because of political expediency, senior government officials can make utterances which undermine the sacrifices the GAC has made over the years to ensure that accountability and transparency is the hallmark of public sector financial management.” The Ministry operates a website that needs to be constantly updated to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Score: “F”Ministry Of EducationEducation Minister Etmonia TarpehScore: “F” President Sirleaf’s branding of the education system "a mess" requiring a complete overhaul, days after all 25,000 high school students sitting state university entrance exams failed was obviously a low point for the ministry. "The students' failure did not come from the university, but rather from the schools that prepared them. The result is alarming," Johnson-Sirleaf said in a statement.

"It tells me that the educational system is a mess." When the University of Liberia announced that nearly 25,000 students had failed test for admission to the country’s highest institution of learning, Education Minister Etmonia Tarpeh found it hard to believe. "I know there are a lot of weaknesses in the schools but for a whole group of people to take exams and every single one of them to fail, I have my doubts about that," Ms David-Tarpeh said. "It's like mass murder," the minister told the BBC.

The results more than validated President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s acknowledgment earlier in the year that the education system was still "in a mess” and much needed to be done to improve it. Sadly, the UL entrance results also showed that the country’s education system maimed by the lull in activity as a result of a prolonged and brutally destructive period of civil unrest, is still struggling to get back on track. Nevertheless there were some bright spots like the reactivation of the Rural Teachers Training Institutes (RTTIs), which has been actively training pre-service teachers for the primary classroom – grades 1 through 6 – through the “C” Certificate curriculum has resulted in some 3,995 teachers being trained.

Today, some 125 new teachers have been deployed in schools in Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, and Sinoe in the areas of Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Language Arts, History and Geography. Grand Kru and River Gee had Nigerian teachers assigned. Sirleaf has expressed satisfaction that volunteers from ECOWAS, the Nigerian Government, and the Peace Corps all supported the effort to emphasize English, Science and Mathematics. “We revised the national curriculum and circulated it to private and public schools throughout the country. We also raised teachers’ wages from US$30 to a minimum of US$200 a month. It’s still not enough, but it’s a start. The result of all this effort is that we now employ over 50,000 teachers. Despite these accomplishments, unfortunately the quality of education are still far too low!

” The Ministry operates a dead and poor website which is hardly updated with latest news as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Score: “F”Ministry Of State For Presidential AffairsMinister Edward McClainScore: “B “The Minister of States for President Affairs, dr. Edward McClain, a dedicated son of the Southeastern county of Grand Kru has been performing his responsibilities among which include coordinating activities and operations of the Office of the President of the Republic of Liberia as well as providing support to the President in carrying out the Executive Functions per the mandates of the president. He is respected and tackles his job eloquently with them true spirit of nationalism, patriotism and professionalism. He from the strike of any imagination is the right man for Ellen’s ears. Under his leadership, the Executive Mansion’ website’s contents have been improved and regularly updated. Many described him as a kind hearted Liberian and dedicated public service ensuing that the office of the president is well respected.

The Ministry is being credited with helping to stop the various questionable contracts and agreements signed in the past, thus reliving government of unnecessary financial burdens." For the eight years in office he has obtained a Score “B “Ministry Of JusticeJustice Minister Christiana TahScore: “D“ The latest decision by the Supreme Court of Liberia to ban the Minister of Justice undermines the Minister Credential and experience. This is a major blow for such a public servant. During the year under review, the justice Minister has suffered a major blow with her suspension by the nation’s higher court, the Supreme Court of Liberia, while a report was released by Human Rights Watch that corruption is rampant in the Liberian police force and calling on the government rein in police abuse before the UN mission in Liberia starts pulling out later this year dampened the MOJ during the course of the year. Corinne Dufka is the author of No Money, No Justice, which describes the police force's multiple criminal activities. Dufka says that police abuse has far-reaching implications.

The major problem facing the ministry was summed up aptly by the Minister Christiana Tah during the course of the year when she remarked that the country's justice system is being seriously undermined by the lack of adequate capacity in various sectors of law enforcement. "With all the legislations and anti-corruption instruments that have been put in place to fight corruption, we should all look at the issue of capacity. Every one of us including the Ministry of Justice, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the General Auditing Commission are suffering from capacity problems." This remains complicated by the fact that most Liberians especially those in the rural areas continue to depend on traditional means to get justice. Most folks resolve to elders and chiefs to settle differences. The MOJ was also taken to task by the Joint Legislative Public Account Committee (PAC) of the Liberian Legislature which frowned on the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Christiana Tah and other top officials of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) for recent statement attributed to them, condemning the credibility of the General Auditing Commission. It is not known if the Ministry has a website as regard informing the larger population of unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “C-”Ministry Of National DefenseDefense Minister Brownie SamukaiScore: “F” Minister Brownie Samukai was forced to apologize to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and his colleagues in government in the aftermath of comments made against them in a secret recording carried leaked by the former Managing Director of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Ellen Cockrum. His involvement in the Cockrumgate has undermines the Minister and bring to question his own credibility. It is no doubt that such a professional blunders will hunt the current defense minister for life, as he cannot be trusted with the state security. Samukai lamented that when he recognized as a normal human being that his own fault has come to the public domain it is incumbent upon him to take responsibility for such action.

"First, I want to tell you that I take full responsibility for what you heard although it is greatly edited and I choose not to go into that version. I take full responsibility for granting the kind of access that Ellen Cockrum had to me that gave her the opportunity to do the recording that she did." A year after having its first batch of post-war soldiers go into action as part of the African Peacekeeping forces in Mali, the Armed Forces of Liberia marked a departure from having foreign firms train the army when it took on the task itself. The training of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has been mainly conducted by US based companies Pacific Atlantic Engineering (PAE) and DYNCORP. Both firms ended their service in 2009.

The army reportedly needs an additional 2,000 well trained personnel to beef up the strength of the current army indicating that after the vetting process, he is confident the number will reach a little over 2,000 The Ministry operates website is hardly updated with latest news as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “F”Ministry Of Foreign AffairsForeign Minister Augustine NgafuanScore: “ B “ Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan sought a foreign policy initiative aimed at improving Liberia’s image as a responsible member within the comity of nations. While seven years back;and what was termed “the hopeless country or failed state,” has now incontrovertibly become the country of hope and opportunities through the displayed of sound leadership by the aggressive and dynamic foreign policy of the Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration.

During the period under review, this government has also instituted several new regulations to streamline the issuance of Liberian passports and the appointment of diplomatic officers and honorary consuls including the establishment of several satellite passport stations at selected embassies of Liberia abroad, to be specified, Washington, D.C., United States of America and the Court of Saint James in London, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Through effective diplomacy, MoFA achieved the following increase in foreign diplomatic presence in Liberia: the reopening of the British Embassy in Monrovia after more than 20 years of closure and non-residence the opening of Brazilian Embassy in Monrovia, at the level of Resident Ambassador; the Opening of the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia, with a Resident Ambassador; the opening of the Qatar Embassy in Monrovia, at the level of Resident Ambassador. Besides, Liberians travelling abroad can proudly present their passports anywhere in the world and be given a positive reception without being discriminated against. The first time Liberia assumed the Vice Presidency of the ECOWAS Commission, and continues to support efforts of the Community to find an amicable solution to the twin crises in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

During the period under review, MoFA has successful completed issuance of ECOWAS biometric passports to former Liberian refugees in the West African sub-region, and has re-introduced Service Passports after over 20 years of discontinuance. Service Passports will now be issued to persons not eligible for Diplomatic or Official Passports; the renovation of the Passport Division and establishment of a new Passport Annex, valued at US$100,000, aimed at improving passport services to the general public increased international support for Foreign Service Institute (FSI) through the establishment of new links with Indian and Brazilian counterparts whereby the two institutions will share knowledge, and exchange students and professors through periodic conferences and trainings. The government also succeeded in reinforcing friendly ties with several countries and established new frontiers of cooperation. In reciprocation, dozens of countries and multilateral organizations have established missions near Monrovia.

Under the Ngafuan leadership, Liberian diplomatic missions with multiple representations abroad assiduously continue to perform the multifarious task of Foreign Policy objectives of the country, despite inadequate budgetary support due to financial constraint facing the government. During the period under review, our country’s international status and standing among the comity of nations have improved immensely, while Liberia has regained its voting rights in several international organizations since the Sirleaf’s leadership succeeded in writing off the country’s debts. Prior to the president Johnson-Sirleaf’s election, the nation was faced with a staggering US$4.9 billion debt, this was more than seven times our national income and almost 20 times what we received as aid from the international community but through the efforts of President Johnson Sirleaf, the country is virtually debt free.

Practically, the nation has won back its reputation, and regained its financial independence. As Government’s premier Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prime statutory responsibility for the conduct of foreign relations and formulation of foreign policies. Toward these ends, the Ministry has attained the following major achievements during the year under review; the Ministry facilitated and concluded key bilateral agreements/partnerships which bear significantly on economic and infrastructural development in Liberia.

These include the landmark US$60 million Ministerial Complex in Congo Town which would house upwards of 10 government Ministries, a US$50 million Liberia-Japan Agreement to modernize and expand to 4-lane the Somalia Drive Road connecting the Freeport and Red Light/Paynesville areas, another US$18 million Agreement with the Chinese Government for the renovation and improvement of the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Paynesville and the China-Liberia Agreement to expand the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) in Paynesville. Other achievements the Foreign Ministry made during the period under review include China-Liberia Agreement for the construction of annexes for the National Legislature/Capitol Building in Monrovia, by the Chinese Government; the US$5.1 million Liberia-Japan Agreement for Food Aid, a US$ 144 million Line of Credit from India's Exim Bank for power transmission and distribution project in Liberia, the establishment of Joint Commission between India and Liberia, the cooperation between the Foreign Service Institutes of India and Liberia and another cooperation in the field of Oil and Gas between India and Liberia.

Other areas of successes were the establishment of a U.S.-Liberia Partnership Dialogue focused on strengthening cooperation in agriculture and food security, energy and power infrastructure, and human development. In May, Minister Ngafuan led Government’s delegation to Washington DC for the Inaugural Meeting of the Dialogue which he co-chaired with U.S. Under-Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman;the initiation of an EU-Liberia Partnership Dialogue focused on cooperation on political, the economic and environment issues; the establishment of the Liberia-Indonesia Joint Commission in the areas of economic, trade, cultural, tourism, financial, scientific, technology, and agriculture, which emanated from the visit to Liberia of His Excellency Dr. H. Susil Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, as part of the 3rd Meeting of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda held in Monrovia, the establishment of the Liberia-Ethiopia Joint Cooperation in the areas of trade, education, agriculture, and capacity development and finally effective bilateral engagements led during the period to the securing of over 8 new scholarship programs totaling over 200 slots for young Liberians to acquire quality education abroad. Said scholarships were received from friendly governments, including China, India, Egypt, Morocco, Botswana, Nigeria, Turkey, Thailand, Japan, and Indonesia. During the period under review, the Ministry successful championed positive engagement with the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, UNMIL in Liberia and UNOCI in Cote d’Ivoire to stabilize tensions along Liberia-Cote d’Ivoire border following the border-line fatality of Ivorian civilians and UNOCI peacekeepers by insurgent operatives from the Ivorian crisis. In close cooperation with former Foreign Minister of Cote d’Ivoire,

H.E. Daniel Kablan Duncan, a Quadripartite Meeting was held between the Governments of Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire and the United Nations Mission In Liberia (UNMIL) and Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) in Abidjan, resulting into a Joint Communiqué whereby the parties agreed to take concrete actions (including increased security and immigration presence and patrol) to encourage border safety and promote confidence-building amongst border communities. A 2nd Quadripartite Meeting was hosted and chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, and led to the establishment of a Joint Council of Chiefs and Elders, and the subsequent holding in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, of a meeting of Ivorian and Liberian chiefs and elders, where both Presidents Sirleaf and Alassane Ouattara were in attendance.

The meeting discussed issues of peace, security, and cross-border cooperation. The Ministry remains seized with efforts within ECOWAS to restore peace and full constitutional order to Mali and Guinea Bissau where mutineer solders orchestrated unconstitutional seizure of power in 2012, spiraling into full-scale crises. Under the guidance of H.E. President Sirleaf, the Ministry has lent Liberia’s efforts to ECOWAS’s push for full constitutional order in both nations; and has enabled the deployment of a contingent of Liberian military officers to Mali as part of a UN-lead force. Through Minister Ngafuan, the Ministry has also led high-powered Government delegations to the United Nations General Assembly, the African Union, and ECOWAS; and has represented President Sirleaf at the International Donor Conference on the Development of Mali under the theme: Together for A New Mali”, at the 20th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January of 2013; and at ALMA Award of Excellence for African Leaders Malaria Alliance, just to name a few. In July, MoFA hosted and chaired the Mano River Union (MRU) Ministerial Council Meeting in Monrovia, ahead of the Summit of MRU Heads of State and Government. The Ministerial Council discussed MRU Secretariat’s Progress Report, governance issues at the level of the Secretariat, and the Progress Report on the MRU Strategic Plan, among other issues. The ministry which now has a fourth minister on deck continues to struggle in finding a solution to the pressing dilemma facing the Liberian Foreign Service. There have been suggestions that the government cut down the number of embassies overseas due to financial constraint facing the government. The problem is posing a financial burden especially for diplomats working in big and other Eurozone where they are paid in US dollar but have to convert salaries into local currency to half the amount.

The MOFA has budgetary constraints but it appears that a remedy may be in sight. The Ministry operates a standard website which is regularly updated, serving as a source of information for diaspora Liberians especially those diplomatic communities. For the three years in office, he has obtained a Score “B “Ministry Of FinanceFinance Minister Amara KonnehScore: “C” The status of the nation’s economic is a major concern and needs the Finance Minister to expertise how to change the current state of the nation’s economy. The persistent shortfall in the national budget shows that the present team at the Ministry of finance is unable to raise the needed revenue to support the budget. His biggest short-coming is the exchange rate of the Liberian dollar to US dollars on the market which stands between one USD to 85-86 Liberian Dollars. Although the minister has won an international accolade was the best Finance Minister in Africa for 2013 for which we are congratulating him, but has he realized that all are not well at relates the status of the economic.

Minister Amara Konneh introduced for the first time a Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget that covered FY2012/13 budget and estimates for the next two years, with expenditure aligned with the government’s five year development plan, the Agenda for Transformation. The Ministry of Finance also introduced a Liberian Dollar denominated Treasury Bills (T-bills) with the Central Bank of Liberia that resulted in the issuance of LD$377 million (approximately US$5 million) for the first time in Liberia’s history. The issuance of T-bills has improved government’s ability to execute the budget through proper liquidity management by smoothing revenue during the year and help deepen Liberia’s financial markets.In light of a sluggish global economic outlook and recent criticisms of the monetary situation in the economy, the ministry has taken the heat for much of the economic downturn.

But supporters of the MOF, credit the ministry for sustaining Liberia’s economic growth in 2012, with estimated real GDP growth of 8.9 percent, led by the first full year of post-iron ore exports because of his leadership on the renew focus on operationalizing the approximated $16 billion foreign investments the government has attracted but which has experienced delays due to many challenges due in part to government bureaucracy; buoyant construction, and strong performance in services. Growth, according to the IMF, is projected to expand by 8.3 percent in 2013. Consumer price inflation moderated to 6.9 percent in 2012. On fiscal policy, revenue improved by 17 percent in 2012 ($554 million) over 2011 figures ($461 million). The MTEF budget separated out recurrent and project spending, which allows for an increased focus on reducing recurrent spending and allowing for increased investment. He fought hard to reduce recurrent to allow for more investment in key infrastructure projects, including energy, roads, and ports.

As a result, capital expenditure increased from an estimated 4.1 to 7.8 percent of GDP. Though Konneh has mobilized enough resources for key projects, implementation of these investment projects has been slowed by the lack of proper coordination within the government, a shallow private sector, and slow procurement processes, causing some of this capital expenditure is likely to be pushed to the next fiscal year. One of the Ministry’s biggest misses also was information management related to the European Union (EU) $13 million grant. The Ministry operates a standard website which is regularly updated, serving as a source of information for diaspora Liberians. Score “C”Ministry Of Internal AffairsInt.Affairs Minister Morris DukulyScore: “C” The Ministry of Internal Affairs is still a Monrovia based; the Ministry impact is yet to be felt across the country. The ministry’s handling of the controversial Female Genital Cutting issue remains a recurring problem while the mis-management of the county Development Funds and the Social Development Funds remain a major concern. Since taking over in 2012,

Minister Morris Dukuly has brought a bit of fresh air to the ministry putting his stamp on accountability and control of County Development Funds which it announced has been suspended based on the need to undertake an assessment and review of all accounts of the two funds, including programs and activities they support throughout the country. The decision will no doubt help to curb the wanton misuse of county development funds which many have advocated should be abolished due to the misuse of the funds by county executives. The county has in recent years endured multiple problems emanating from inter-ethnic as well as intra-ethnic squabbles that frequently escalate beyond the manageable propensity of local actors In addition, the MIA is also pressing county authorities to in all of the fifteen counties to account responsibly for every dime from fund they will receive for the hosting this year’s county meet.

The ministry is also in the process of embarking on a comprehensive review of scholarships offered by county administrations and funded from the Social Development Fund to ensure that scholarships are aligned with the Agenda for Transformation as well as targeted to meet the human capital development needs of the country. The leader of the government’s decentralization implementation program and coordination of the affairs of local government administration in the political sub-divisions of the country, made a number of inroads in the year under review. But the most commendable accomplishment may have come in the Decentralization support program (LDSP), a five year GOL program to support the implementation of the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance. The program is one of the priority areas in the agenda for transformation.

The exercise will enable administration make informed decisions relative to employees’ welfare and also design robust socio-economic development programs and quality capacity building plans aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge and abilities of the staff to be able to respond to challenges that are associated with decentralized governance structures. The MIA has already undertaken re-profiling in Monrovia, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Grand Bassa and Rivercess, counties. It is not known if the Ministry has a website as regard informing the larger population of unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “C”Ministry Commerce And Industry Commerce Minister Axel AddyScore: “ D”Consumers continue to look over the Ministry of Commerce and Industry shoulder to see how well the ministry keeps tabs on price control.

While the ministry lacks enforcement power to drastically punish corrupt business institution. The image of the Ministry has been very negative in recent past due to corrupt practices by it inspectors. The public remain unconvinced and are looking to see results. However, the Ministry is persistently being accused of corruption, of receiving bribery from business houses and institutions.The government ministry responsible for monitoring and regulating prices of essential goods, establishing and regulating commodity, trade standards; establishing and enforce standards for business practices has been undergoing a rebranding under Minister Axel Addy who took over in 2012. Addy,

looking to answer the ministry’s critics has been surprising petrol dealers with surprise visits to filling stations and businesses to make sure that prices are not being inflated. The nationwide inspection of businesses by the Ministry is not intended to punish businesses found in violation of any regulations, but to create awareness about the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s regulations for business entities operating in the country in a bid to ensure compliance. The ministry says business in violation of standards and regulation will be given 30 days to correct such violation and become compliant. In extreme cases, fines are being imposed on business entities for failure to comply after they have been notified about any irregularities. It is not known if the Ministry has a website as regard informing the larger population of unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “D”Ministry Of Lands, Mines & EnergyMines Minister Patrick SendoloScore: “C“ Past officials booked recently for corrupt practices have undermined the credibility of this Ministry.

However, the current team at the ministry is somehow doing its best but must go beyond mere pronouncement to fight corruption in the Mining Sector as well as the sale of lands by corrupt individuals. The Ministry is yet to find a solution to the rampaign sale of fake lands by people with questionable characters.The Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, in close collaboration with the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), officially inaugurated the Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expansion Project, an exercise which is expected to expand and distribute electricity from Monrovia to Kakata, Margibi County.

The initiation of the project also means that all pre-conditions for the project's implementation have been met by the Government of Liberia; including signing of subsidiary agreement between the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Liberia Electricity Corporation; signing of the Tripartite agreement amongst China Union, LEC, and the GOL, as well as ratification of the financing agreement by the National Legislature. Following the completion of the project, according to contract details, cheap electricity would be expanded and distribution from Monrovia to Kakata, including the City's surrounding communities. Other benefits associated with the contract include the building of Heavy Fuel Oil infrastructure (HFOs) along the Monrovia-Kakata highway, as well as installing several pipelines along that route. In terms of customer intake, more than 10,000 homes are expected to be connected by the time the exercised is done. The postwar government has since assuming office secured some $8bn investment in the mineral development sector.

The Ministry is tasked with ensuring that these investments address many of the country's jobs needs, especially for its youthful demographics, 77% of whom are involved in vulnerable employment. So for, the Ministry has been limited in its effectiveness. According to experts, the nature of low cost mining of the Chinese and Indians provide few opportunities for significant employment creation or skills and technology transfer. As a result, the Ministry must design a new engagement model with foreign concessions to ensure that benefits flow to the general population. Moreover, the Ministry lacks the capacity to fully monitor operations of mining concessions.

The Ministry operates a poor website which is hardly updated with latest news as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “C”Ministry Of Public WorksPublic Works Minister Antoinette Weeks Score: “F” The President, like the rest of Liberians are still awaiting Minister Weeks, the minister with a highly rich and impressive CV whose footprints are yet to be seen on the sand of time, as reflective of nothing significantly vivid to show has triggered the attention of the President Sirleaf to inquire about the visibility of her handiwork as Minister of Public Works.

For now, she scores ’F’ until she can show her juice and prove herself worthy of the challenges. Ministry of Post & TelecommunicationsPost Minister Fredrick B. NorkehScore: ” C” The House Committee on Ways, Means and Finance Committee through its Chairman, Representative Emmanuel Nuquay, sought explanation from the ministry regarding how it expended US$180,000. A great deal of the money is said to be used without going through the Consolidated Funds Account or approval of the Government of Liberia (GoL). During the course of the year under review, the Ministry announced a major policy directed to the enhancement of a digital migration process that is to be completed by June 2015. According to Minister Fredrick B. Norkeh, the digital migration process involves the replacement of broadcast analogue equipment with a digital platform.

"Television services in Liberia are generally provided using analogue platform but this policy statement presents the position of the government of Liberia regarding its strategic interest to ensure that the national broadcast industry is transformed in order to meet up with international standard the world over.” The irony here is fun for most technology experts. While many have praised Liberia’s arrival of the high-speed age, many remain puzzled that several government ministries and agencies remain without high speed. The launching of fiber optic which is expected to improve the quality of internet and telecommunications in Liberia thus opening new corridors for economic growth and development in the country.

The technology will also enhance development in post war Liberia through affordable, superior and unhindered access to news and information; create new business and career opportunities for Liberians as well as greater access to global markets for Liberian goods and services. With so much expectations riding on the ministry many however remain unsure that the Liberian capital, Monrovia could beat the odds to become the first wireless city in the Mano River Union Basin. The turning on of the Fiber Optic broadband, a US$25 million project which connects Liberia to the rest of the world, early in the year puts Liberia en route to becoming on par with fast internet in Liberia will significantly improve the education, health, communication and increase productivity in the business sector. While many remain hopeful that the technology will transform Liberia, many government ministries and agencies are still lagging behind and are not yet wired up.

The government continues to express its commitment to creating the enabling environment that would foster sustainable growth and development of the ICT sector and got off to a good start in the year with plans to bid fare thee well to analogue technology by 2015 which will allow Liberia to adapt to the new digital system sweeping across the globe. It is not known if the Ministry has a website as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “C”Ministry Of TransportTransport Minister S. Tornorlah VarpilahScore: “D” One of the priority areas Varpilah placed on his agenda when he took over in March as part of a 2-6 months, plan was to conduct a General Motor Vehicle Inspection which would increase government revenue and help to mitigate the current budget fall.

However, more than six months later, run-down vehicles continue to ply the streets and the inspection idea appears to have been lost in translation. Perhaps this would be the year the ministry completes its plan to decentralized motor vehicle registration to all the counties. Even more ambitions, perhaps the coming year would be the year the ministry’s plan to automate vehicle registration and driver license process to reduce fraud and increase revenue generation comes into effect. The ministry responsible for establishing a policy framework for the effective and efficient transport service delivery continues to struggle and appears to have its hands full trying to come up with a formidable alternative since the Pehn-Pehn riders aka “suicide bombers” from major city streets. Passengers continue to line up the streets of Monrovia, especially during the holiday season with limited transportation options available.

Shortly after taking over in March, Minister S. Tornorlah Varpilah constituted a National Committee that would help the Ministry of Transport design programs to improve road safety in Liberia. The committee was tasked specifically to undertake a national study of the general situation of the growing motorcycle industry in the country and advance possible recommendations that will facilitate the formulation of informed policy decisions which will holistically address some of the critical problems associated with motorcycle operations including the high rate of accidents resulting to injuries, deaths across the country. The results of the study will be used to develop an integrated road safety program for Liberia.

Not much has been heard since the committee’s appointment as the transportation headaches linger. The shakeup that brought Varpillah to Transportation. But it was the most ambitious attempt by the ministry to undertake a decentralized strategy that caught the eye of many, unsure whether the budgetary allotment of the ministry was sufficient to carry out such a plan. The ministry, during the year undertook steps to strengthen the existing regional offices in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, Ganta Nimba County and open additional offices in Gbarnga, Bong County, Buchanan, Grand Bassa County and Tubmanburg, Bomi County. The plan was for those offices, to be staffed, furnished and equipped to register motor vehicles and issue driver’s licenses. However, some motorists continue to travel to Monrovia for processing licenses. It is not known if the Ministry has a website as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “D”Ministry of AgricultureAgriculture Minister Florence ChenewayScore: “f” Up to present, the nation cannot feed itself, almost every foodstuff is imported into the country. The Ministry is only visible in Monrovia as little is known about its operation across the country.

The Ministry operation is o the paper instead of the soil; perhaps it should be called Ministry of Workshops. The 2013 Liberia Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey financed and conducted by the World Food Program adequately sums up the MOA’s failures. The survey found that around 18% of Liberian households are food insecure and 71% are moderately food insecure, meaning only half of the Liberian population is considered food secure. The report surmised that food insecurity and poverty are highly correlated. Simply put, the ministry tasked with stabilizing Liberia’s food security appears out of sync and have failed to implement policies to improve farmers .Interestingly, the most food insecure county in Liberia, according to the survey, is the hometown of both the president and the speaker, Bomi County. On average households in that county spend 69% of their income on food, the highest in the country.

Most rural dwellers (79%) derive their income from two or more livelihood sources, often combining food and cash crop products on, petty trading or street vending, hunting/gathering, casual labor, palm oil, charcoal product on or rubber tapping in order to diversify their sources of income. The ministry did manage to undertake the first post-war cocoa and coffee project it says will improve the livelihood of smallholders’ farmers in Vahun, Lofa County.The nearly 25 million dollar project under the Smallholders Tree Crop Revitalization Support Project hoped to hire nearly two thousand youths in the cocoa and coffee sub-sector and the rehabilitation of farmer to market roads in the county but very little have been heard from the project although it was promised that some 15,000 smallholder cocoa and coffee farmers will directly benefit from support to engage in productive activities as well as empower them through capacity building. During the course of the year the ministry also launched a US$23.1 million Smallholders Tree Crops Revitalization Support Project (STCRSP) to be implemented in six counties, namely Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Grand Bassa. The ministry also announced the training of over 40 extension officers, technicians, and lead farmers from the four South-eastern counties of Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, and Grand Kru have benefitted from a capacity building training workshop in swamp rice production.

The Ministry website which is hardly updated with latest news as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade ‘D”Ministry of HealthHealth Minister Dr. Walter T. GwenigaleScore: “C” During the period under review, tThe ministry was consumed by a major crisis in the past year when Physician Assistants, Officers -in- charge and other health care professionals undertook an action to lay down their tools. The go-slow action by the vast majority of health care professionals have long demanded from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, headed by Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale for improved working conditions including incentives and government salaries.

The ministry responded later and that it already had a plan in the works to secure GOL funding to regularize professional health workers (MD, RN, CM, PA, LNP, Lab Tech, Pharmacist, Radiology Tech, etc) status and place additional staff on payroll.Conditions at government-run hospitals like the John F. Kennedy Medical Center which has made some improvements and the Redemption Hospital remain subpar for most seeking adequate care and medication as death rates continue to climb. Despite some significant strides, the ministry is still faced with numerous challenges. But according to the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal mortality is very high at 770 per 100 000 live births but mainly because there is an acute shortage of skilled staff, inadequate referral systems, etc. Moreover, less than half (46%) of births are attended by birth professionals. Infant and under-five mortality rate have reduced significantly.

Infant mortality has declined from 117 to 58 per 1000 live births, while under-five mortality has also declined from 194. After decades of economic mismanagement and fourteen years of brutal civil war, the country is now recovering. Access to health services has increased from 26% in 2003 to 41% in 2008 (though the level is still unsatisfactory). Fertility rates have also reduced from 6.8% in 2004 to 5.2% in 2007. The country still faces enormous challenges in rebuilding the health sector. Current access to health care services stands only at 40%. The launching of the first Post Graduate Medical Program, the Liberia College of Physicians & Surgeons (LCPS), a professional institution established by law to train medical specialist in surgery, Internal Medicines, Pediatrics and OB-GYN. Specialists trained in these four main areas will be able to independently manage surgical and medical problems to the highest level of competence. Other important programs which are expected to commence in the future include the Faculty of Anesthesiology, Psychiatry, Community and Family Medicine.

The Ministry operates a poor website as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade “C”.Ministry of Gender & DevelopmentGender Minister Julia Duncan-CassellScore: ‘D’ This Ministry is commonly known as Ministry of Workshop and seminars. The statistics of violations and abuses against under-age children and women clearly show how the officials at this Ministry lack the expertise in pressing for laws that will help to reduce the statistics and bring to book violators. The statistics don’t lie and women are bearing the brunt of society’s woes and neglect. While continue to linger among the most disadvantaged despite efforts to improve their conditions. Prostitution is still at an all-time high. Illiteracy rates among women aged 15-49 are particularly high (60 percent) compared to men (30 percent). 42 percent of Liberian women and 18 percent of men have never attended school. In rural areas, literacy rates are staggeringly low at 26 percent, while the gender gap in secondary school attendance is very high, with a net attendance ratio of 6 percent for females. While 19 percent of men have completed secondary school or higher, only 8 percent of women have accomplished the same. In addition to food insecurity, women are also exposed to gender based violence, sexual exploitation and HIV/AIDS.

These issues pose daunting challenges for MOGD. Cassell has not been shy about taking issues head on in highlighting the five rape-related deaths in 2012 and ten this year as she pressed for tougher laws. “I think the rape law is watered down; we have to make a bid more. Last year we had five victims died; this year ten have died. We are calling on the religious groups, the Judiciary and others join the fight against rape – it’s terrible.” Under the watch of Minister Julia Duncan-Cassell, the MOGD has been busy drawing attention and raising awareness about sensitive gender issues, among not just women, but men as well. Cassel has proven to be an innovator where many of her peers in the Cabinet have failed. Preying on the popularity of Hipco and the budding comedy culture, Cassell has tipped the likes of Hipco legend and King Takun J and comedian Quincy T to advise teen against safe sex and rape advocacy. The partnership was a contributing factor to the success of programs marking the 16 Days of Activism which saw anti-rape campaigners staging a shocking march through the streets of Monrovia, carrying ten symbolic caskets and photos of rape victims who died just in 2013 alone. The ministry’s website is constantly updated with the ministry’s progress and challenges.

The Ministry operates a website which is hardly updated with latest news as regard unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress.Ministry 0f LaborLabor Minister Juah Lawson Score: C- During the course of the year under review, the ministry has expressed commitment to supporting the full implementation of the National Employment Policy-Action Plan but not much has been heard since although Minister Lawson said at the launching that the Action Plan is necessary because it would help to enforce the passage of the Decent Work Bill but called on development partners to assist the government in this process in making the National Employment Policy attainable. It is the hope of many that the contentious Decent Work Bill would address a lot of issue in the labor market intense of workers’ rights, Social Dialogue, social Protection amongst others. The Ministry in collaboration with the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services or LISGIS and the International Labor Organization, the ILO has launched the 2010 Labour force survey report in Monrovia.

Labor is one of the most divisive ministries which has been hindered by suspensions, back-biting, back-stabbing and a lot of infighting and fears of disloyalty among senior officials. The passage of the Decent Work Bill into law by both the Senate and the House of Representatives brought closure to a very contentious issue. It was recommended by the Joint Committee that the numerical dollar value for Minimum Wage of every class of employees must be determined by the National Minimum Wage Board. Section 501 of the Liberian Labor Law gives the National Minimum Wage Board the mandate to review wages paid to employees for possible adjustment in order to respond to changing time and economic conditions in the labor sector of Liberia. The bill was sent back to committee room following intense debates in Plenary on the minimum wage set at $5.60 per day for employees as previously recommended in the Report by the Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary.

The passage of the Bill brings relief to the labor sector and therefore guarantees job security of all employees in workplaces It is not known if the Ministry has a website as regard informing the larger population of unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Grade ‘C-“Ministry of Youth & SportsSports Minister Eugene NagbeScore: “ C+“ During the year under review, Liberia performed poorly both the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers thus offered a glimmer of excitement for a football-starved nation eager for something rekindle the days of George Weah and James Debbah which appeared in two nation cup tournaments and came close to a World Cup appearance. Victories against Ghana and Uganda and impressive home performance against World Cup Bound Super Eagles showed that the prospects are there but the lack of funding is a major obstacle.

The Ministry is battling accusations in the media as it relates the ongoing County Meet funding. Minister Eugene Nagbe has made support to football a key priority but emphasis on youth employment remains a major part of the ministry’s agenda. This was evident when President Sirleaf, in a Reuter’s interview in November, acknowledged that youth unemployment is a major threat to peace and security in LiberiaBased of the dead weight the business of sports mainly soccer has been handled, most home-based fans of the game have partitioned themselves among the various teams in England, Spain, Germany, Italy France and other parts of Europe. This clearly suggests that sports with emphasis on soccer in the country cannot warm their hearts like it used to be, thereby clinging strongly to the games and players abroad. It is not known if the Ministry has a website as regard informing the larger population of unfolding happenings at the Ministry to give diaspora Liberians vivid picture of the actual government progress. Score: “C+”