Ellen's Cabinet Ministers Perform Poorly In 2015

Hitting the ten-year mark of leadership, the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-led Unity Party government finds itself at crossroads, entering a critical but potential lame duck era dreaded by most democratically-elected governments, limping toward the finish line. A government on the verge of a decade in leadership faces the daunting task of shaping its legacy and trying to reassure its citizens that despite overseeing a nation endowed with abundant agricultural resources, emerging threats of global economic meltdown and concessions fatigue, billions of dollars investment which the government trumpeted amongst its achievements, appears to be slowly slipping away.

The slowdown of operations by the likes of steel giants ArcelorMittal, Putu Mountain Range and the free-falling African Petroleum, appears poised to make the government’s remaining few months somewhat complex and challenging. But FrontPageAfrica’s attention, for the tenth year running in our assessment of the performances of key government ministries and agencies looks back on a year of economic challenges, political intrigues and governance lapses threatening Liberia’s post-war development as Africa’s oldest republic aims to complete its political transition from war to peace and successful transition from one democratically-elected government to the next. We kick off our assessment of the government with the Executive branch. THE PRESIDENCY THE LOWDOWN: Amid a global meltdown of natural resources, the Sirleaf administration found itself in a complicated position in the past year. Recovering from the deadly Ebola virus outbreak which still remains a threat, the administration finds itself in a difficult bargaining position of weakness as trumpeted by the ruling party chairman Cllr. Varney Sherman, in a FrontPageAfrica interview during the course of the year. "We who are familiar with these agreements and their implementations know very well that iron ore price is down by 50 to 60% as compared to 2010 or even before then. Similarly rubber price is down. Now for me, our position is weak”. Sherman’s point heralds the dilemma the ruling party government faces amid cries from various opposition circles that the government must not attempt to lease or sell any more concessions. “If we were to go to ask for review, because the prices of these commodities are down, the concessionaires are in a stronger position to for example negotiate so that the social benefits that they are paying today will be reduced because they are getting much less from operating than they were getting before and also the fact that they did not operate the whole of 2014 due to Ebola". Sirleaf, in an address to the nation in November stressed that the competition for resources is fierce. “Countries that can move their internal processes with efficiency and speed are likely to obtain their desired level of external support.” The President however expressed confident that with the support and coordination of all three branches of our Government, this will not be a problem. 2015 HIGHS: The Sirleaf-led government continued to receive international commendation for its effort to beat the deadly Ebola virus outbreak. Although the threat remains, the country worst hit in the West African sub-region appears to be on course and the worst of the outbreak may be behind. Domestically, the administration which created the fiscal space by removing the external debt burden of US$4.9 billion through the HIPC process during its first few years, increasing domestic revenue from US$80 million to a peak of US$470 million in 2014, says it remains on course to increase electricity on the national grid from zero (0) to 23 megawatts and looks set to connect the Mount Coffee Hydro in December 2016 with additional 88 megawatts of power. Electricity has been a key deliverable lapse for the Sirleaf government and one even her closest advisers acknowledge will define her legacy as many Liberians remain skeptical that the administration will provide affordable electricity to support economic expansion. Sirleaf said recently that the Ebola virus outbreak slowed down those plans. “Progress has been slowed due to the Ebola outbreak, but we do remain on track, with the Mt. Coffee Hydro to increase energy supply to our people, which is necessary as a pre-condition for fostering value addition to raw materials, manufacturing and other related industries.” Much of the administration’s hopes however rest on an ECOWAS program which is on course to bring electricity to eighteen villages in four counties bordering Cote d’Ivoire. Ganta and Harper are already receiving current. Currently, there is limited current energy capacity. Government has been able to increase electricity connections to 33,000 homes and businesses and by 2017, that number will be increased by 3,000 connections per month and electricity will reach as far as Kakata, Tubmanburg and Robertsport. Despite inroads on the electricity front, the administration’s key challenge will be with numerous unfinished road projects. Sirleaf herself acknowledged recently that development in rural Liberia has been constrained by bad road networks but says a good number of projects will commence this dry season as her administration works to secure additional financing to connect more county capitals. 2015 LOWS: The Sirleaf administration is racing against the clock to complete pressing development goals in a timely manner as it work to conclude financing arrangements for several inter-county roads, for improving the Roberts International Airport, for the upgrading of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, for putting in place facilities to transmit and distribute electricity, and for expanding telecommunications. Despite Sirleaf’s determination to meet these lofty national priorities during the remaining years of this Administration, a nagging Achilles appears to be standing in the way. A recent FrontPageAfrica investigation backed by damning communications suggested that further due diligence is required after all four companies bidding to revamp the RIA runway – the French firm, Effiage, the British firm, Lagan Construction Group, the Scottish firm, Dawnus International and the Chinese firm, Sinohydro Corporation, all failed to meet the requirements set by the European Investment Bank and other donors funding the project. Sirleaf who became Africa and Liberia’s first woman head of state in 2006, continues to wrestle with issue of gender-based violence in the country. To date, her government appears to be struggling in finding a way out amid debate over punishment for perpetrators, justice for victims and the lack of political will to fix the messy dilemma. The issue of security remains troubling with rape, mob violence, mysterious deaths, and armed robbery all on the increase. Figures of the number of girls raped to death are staggering while mob violence has proven to be competing with rape while the situations in Ganta, Nimba County, Paynesville, Red Light, Johnsonville and Gbarngay town all in Montserrado County coupled with the number of armed robberies reported on daily basis all pointing to the level of fear under which the citizens are living. But the biggest low for the presidency during the year was in July when protesting high school students besieged the Presidential Convoy outside the Monrovia City Hall in Monrovia, while the President was departing from a function, forcing Sirleaf to disembark her official vehicle, facing a troubling siege from protesting students against closure of grade schools by July 31 this year. The incident illustrated the frustrations many regarding the education sector the President herself has described as messy. 2016 OUTLOOK: The Sirleaf’s government handling of the global meltdown will be a key priority in the coming year. With much emphasis expected away from the troubled concessions programme, economists are hoping will be keen to see how the administration explores opportunities in the agriculture sector to offset potential setbacks likely to dampen the economic outlook in the coming year. The International Monetary Fund had expressed concerns that the medium-term economic outlook will remain a challenge for the government. With Real GDP growth remaining weak in 2015, the IMF projects a gradual recovery taking hold in 2016 buoyed by a rebound in agriculture and services. “Risks to the outlook stem mainly from a prolonged period of low commodity prices, which would significantly curtail tax and export revenues, and could dampen medium term growth prospects,” according to an IMF staff review published in May. 2015 ASSESSMENT: DOMESTIC GRADE: C - FOREIGN POLICY: B+ THE VICE PRESIDENCY

THE LOWDOWN: Looking to find his own footing, Vice President Joseph Boakai had the most visibility of the last ten years, in the past 12 months, as he aims to embark on a Presidential run in 2017. The veep who has taken a backseat to Sirleaf has been busy with travels in and out of Liberia as well as regional actors in hopes of shoring up support for his potential run. Boakai though faces a tricky challenge after emphatically stating that he would be running on the Sirleaf government’s record, which he says includes 10 years of unbroken peace, infrastructure development and freedom of the press. Boakai, 71, has dismissed suggestions he’s too old and could be challenged by younger candidates from both the ruling Unity Party and the opposition. Boakai says age is not a handicap but rather a blessing. He says he has more experience than any of his possible challengers. “Wherever I have been in this country, people start saying at least 10 years of peace. Without peace you can achieve nothing. Ten years we have not heard about political prisoners; they have not heard about gun shots. They can move around their business. Apart from that, you can see around the country freedom of the press; you can see around the country that is connecting. In spite of all the challenges, you can see that governance structures are being put in place,” he says. 2015 HIGH: Boakai kicked off a tour of his hometown Lofa County where he was petitioned by his towns’ folks to run for President. “I come before you today, humbled by a vision of a brighter future for our country; mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history; and determine to act boldly and collectively on behalf of all Liberians to accept your petition to contest the presidency of our country in 2017. I believe in you and that together, we can build a strong Liberia with our own wealth and resources,” Boakai told teeming supporters at the Voinjama Town Hall. 2015 LOW: Boakai got a taste of what he could expect on the campaign trail during a dinner tendered in his honor in October at the Passion Event Center in Fridley, Minnesota as he was greeted to a protest against bad governance in Liberia. Protesters who came from two Liberian community activist groups known as MOLAC and CLACI, denounced the present "Ellen-Boakai" regime for what they said is the regime's bad governance system in Liberia. They accused the "Ellen-Boakai" government of cuddling corruption, nepotism and abuses of human rights. Protesters further called on the regime to support the international community to establish a war crimes court in Liberia to try warlords and rebel commanders suspected of having carried out civilian genocides during the civil-war. Boakai has also been criticized over his handling of an interview with the BBC Focus on Africa programme. When asked whether he had the support of his boss, President Sirleaf, Boaka said, “I think so”. The response has generated concerns in some quarters that Boakai did not seize on an opportunity to announce himself on the international scene as a viable successor to Sirleaf, who a few days later told UNMIL Radio that she supports the Presidential ambition of her Boakai. President Sirleaf responded, "of course," to Torwon Sulunteh Brown's question when asked if she was behind the vice President's bid. Boakai also failed to address his position on the issue of nepotism when queried by the BBC, and in the minds of many political analysts did not come off strong on distancing himself from the corruption Achilles dogging the administration, which is expected to be a major campaign issue. 2016 OUTLOOK: The coming year could make or break Boakai’s quest for the presidency. Expect a lot of discussions over potential lapses to the VP’s quest: Financial standing; Age and the UP Baggage. GRADE: B- Ministry OF AGRICULTURE THE LOWDOWN: At the start of 2015, the World Bank Group estimated that Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the three countries hardly hit by the deadly Ebola virus outbreak would lose at least US$1.6 billion in forgone economic growth as a result of the epidemic. Much of that appears to be in line to continue with the New Year set to dawn. In Liberia, much is expected of the Ministry to come up with new ideas and innovations to beef up the economy amid lull in the activities of concessionaires badly affected by global economic meltdown and slumping iron ore and petroleum prices. Liberia’s growth fell to 2.2% compared to 5.9% projected before the Ebola crisis, according to the World Bank. 2015 HIGH: The resignation of controversial Agriculture Minister Dr. Florence Chenoweth came six years too late for critics of what is inarguably one of the worst performing ministries in the past ten years of the Sirleaf administration. Sirleaf accepted Chenoweth's resignation and named her replacement, Dr. Moses Zinnah, an agricultural and rural development expert, who previously served as Deputy Minister for Planning and Development. Dr. Chenoweth, considered as the architect of the April 14, 1979 rice riot, failed in her six-year service to revamp what many believe is the most important sector capable of reviving Liberia’s dwindling economy. Agriculture has accounted for approximately half of GDP in the post-war period, and the majority of Liberians depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The Sirleaf administration has committed to increasing its budget share for agriculture from the current level of approximately 3 percent to 10 percent by 2017 in support of a national food security and nutrition plan. 2015 LOW: Liberia continues to remain food insecure for the tenth-year running. According to the World Food Programme, around 18% of Liberian households were food insecure, and 31% moderately food insecure. Imported rice prices increased 6% at the end of 2014 compared to the survey period, increasing vulnerability. Food insecurity is highest in households directly impacted by Ebola and poor, non-agricultural households residing in the worst affected zones. Food insecurity is expected to increase by April 2015, as food stocks dwindle and households become more reliant on market access. Despite enormous economic potential, the sector is befuddled with numerous pitfalls and leadership lapses raising questions as to why Africa’s oldest republic has not been able to make use of its plentiful water, crop land and a climate conducive to cultivate cash crops like cocoa and rubber. 2016 OUTLOOK: Realizing that agriculture can drive sustained economic growth and social cohesion,the new Minister appears to have accepted the responsibility and challenges and is reportedly in the process of trying to revamp the sector with the intent of delivering results within six months to two years. Working with local and international partners, the Ministry is looking to ride on the back of a strong private sector with strong government support of creating the enabling environment and ensuring regulatory and quality control functions to make things work. However, the key will be how the new Minister implements policy reforms to put the right technologies, finance, and market outlets within the reach of small holder farmers on a national scale. But sector watchers will be looking to see how the inter-Ministerial task force on agricultural transformation convened in the fourth quarter of 2015 by President Sirleaf, will achieve transformation in the country’s agricultural sector. GRADE: F Ministry OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY THE LOWDOWN: The Sirleaf administration has been talking the good talk regarding Liberian entrepreneurs and describing their commitment in making a giant step as significant and critical to youth employment, job-creation and poverty reduction. But very little has been done in terms of budgetary allotment to encourage thriving businesses to survive. However, during the course of the year, local business owners who have been complaining about the difficulties of staying in business received a major boost with the passage of a new law by the National Legislature and approved by the President that will empower Liberian -owned businesses. Under the law, a specific department within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been set up to help Liberian-owned business access loans. The law is expected to ensure that foreign-owned businesses are no longer favored in the awarding of contracts by government and other entities, thereby further weakening the capability of these Liberian-owned businesses to survive. Under the title “An Act to Amend Chapter 29, of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Executive Law, Title 12, Liberian Code of Laws revised to provide for the establishment of a Department of Small Business Administration”, the new Law creates a new department within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for the promotion, development, regulation and control loan facilitation to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with particular focus on Liberian owned MSMEs. The law provides for the establishment of the Department of Small Business Administration within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to exclusively work with Liberian-owned businesses to monitor and evaluate the development and performance of Liberian-owned MSMEs and carry out a written assessment of such development and performance. 2015 HIGH: During the year under review, the Ministry spearheaded and was successful in helping Liberia become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The post-war nation was previously under an “Observer” status. Reaching the WTO status has been a work in progress started seven years ago by then Minister Olubanke King Akerele. The WTO status ensures Liberia access to offer on Goods (Tariffs) which is based on ECOWAS CET (Common External Tariff and Customs Union) and Offer on Services which is a conservative package that includes Professional Services (Legal Services, Accounting Services, Taxation Services, Architectural Services, Engineering Services, Integrated Engineering Services, Medical and Dental Services, Veterinary Services, Services provided by Midwives, Nurses, Physiotherapists, and Paramedical Personnel; Computer and Related Services; Research and Development Services; Real Estate Services); Communication Services; Construction and Related Engineering Services; Distribution Services; Educational Services; Environmental Services; Financial Services; Health Related and Social Services; Tourism and Travel Related Services; Recreational, Cultural and Sporting Services, and Transport Services. 2015 LOW: Despite efforts by the Ministry to curb price control for goods and commodities, like rice, gasoline and cement, some local dealers continue to hike prices. The release of monthly pricing of commodities from wholesale to retail was announced during the year under review but there have been reports that some inspectors are using the backdoor to take kickbacks from businesses instead of enforcing the law. 2016 OUTLOOK: The coming year could see more consumer complaints of prices fluctuation on goods and services but the biggest test for the Ministry would be how it responds or utilizes its newfound entry into the World Trade Organization. But more importantly, expectations from the consumer public regarding Liberianization and Local Content will be key. Today, some 10,000 registered Liberian Businesses and enterprises are emerging but it will require more than the rhetoric of wearing country cloth and eating pride by eating country rice and buying locally-produced products. Commerce may be required to go the extra mile in ensuring restoring consumer confidence. GRADE: C+ Ministry OF EDUCATION THE LOW DOWN: The Ministry continues to fight off the stigma of its messy label stamped by a frustrated President Sirleaf who has acknowledged the poor state of the sector. Under Minister George Werner, efforts to improve the quality of learning have been made mostly on paper but implementation has been a struggle. Werner came under fire during the year after his controversial policy aimed at creating conducive learning environment for all students and teachers by adjusting the school calendar and revert to the normal cycle giving students more days in school, backfired. High school students in a show of dissatisfaction, vented their angst in July by physically blocking the Presidential convoy and lying on the floor in front of the motorcade. The students angry over the announced decision by the Ministry of Education to temporarily shut down all schools to reopen in September to make way for Liberia to return to its normal academic calendar which was interrupted by the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus took their anger to the doorsteps of the President. 2015 HIGH: While Werner’s decision to adjust the school calendar dominated headlines during the year under review, the Ministry quietly made inroads with the distribution of one million textbooks to public schools for Grades 5-9 in the four core subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, & English). An additional, 1.3 million Supplementary Readers were distributed to public schools for Grades 1-4. The textbooks, 20,000 teacher guides were also distributed along with instructional materials including (Atlases, Maps, magnets and Globes). Sirleaf, addressing the nation in November trumpeted that her administration has been able to increase school enrollment to 1,531,489 with girls enrollment nearly 50 percent. “By 2017, we expect this number to be 2,603,531,” the President noted. 2015 LOW: A recurring theme responsible for the decline of education in post-war Liberia has been the tragedy of absentee teachers in the classroom. Teachers in rural Liberia in particular spent a better part of the school year running after their salaries, leaving students in the cold. The closing year was no exception. In most parts of the country, teachers leave the classrooms forcing students to abandon school. In some instances, teachers reported that they were actually permitted to go to the Ministry of Finance by the county's education board in order to run after their salary accounts, a practice which continues to affect academic activities in the various counties to the extent that most of the students have turned to farming activities or businesses to help sustain their families as breadwinners. 2016 OUTLOOK: Will the coming year see teachers, particularly in the rural areas staying in the classroom instead of running after paychecks to Monrovia for half of the school year? The Sirleaf government says, a program to train teachers is ongoing and that some 10,441 teachers have already been trained but their presence are not being felt in the classroom where they belong. It will be interesting to see whether the government will put into practice what it has on paper that it is constructing comprehensive school facilities in 15 counties which will include housing for teachers. GRADE: D Ministry OF FINANCE& DEVELOPMENT PLANNING LOWDOWN: Recovering from the impact of a major health epidemic, with GDP growth forecast set at 2-3% and being hit immediately by declining commodity prices due to a global economic downturn seems to be a “perfect storm” that can collapse any fragile economy like Liberia’s. However, it is still yet to be seen if the managers of the economy would mitigate the problem or continue to delay an imminent collapse. Liberia’s major export commodities, rubber and iron ore, have seen the greatest decline in prices on the global market, followed by gold. As stated in the review of the Agriculture Ministry, the failure of the sector to make meaningful contributions to the economy, despite modest increase in rice production during the year 2015 had a major impact on economic growth. On the overall macro-economic picture, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) says it has been able to keep spending in the economy at an appreciable level to continue to enhance the circular flow and maintain macroeconomic stability. But though growth rate has remained positive, they have been very low compared to previous years owing to the twin shocks of Ebola outbreak and the commodity price shock. Growth in sub-Saharan Africa has slowed markedly - from 5-5½ percent in 2010-14 to less than 4 percent this year. With Sub-Saharan Africa’s third largest increase in economic freedom over the past half-decade, Liberia’s score has advanced by 6.2 points. Progress in reducing corruption, improving fiscal accounts, and opening the economy to trade and investment have further cemented Liberia’s progression out of the “repressed” category. 2015 HIGH: With the MFDP playing the coordinating role on economic management, the government has maintained relative macroeconomic stability demonstrated by stable exchange rate and inflation, and the availability of essential commodities on the Liberian market in spite of a sharp decline in economic growth. Also under the supervision of the MFDP, the government of Liberia was a recipient of a US$257 million Compact grant from the United States Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact program, a highly competitive program that promotes economic growth through the private sector. Through this grant, a number of critical road and energy projects, including the Mount Coffee Hydro would be financed. The grant comes at a time when the government had struggled to meet the cost overrun on the hydro project caused by delays due to the Ebola crisis. Also in 2015, MFDP secured financing commitments to the tune of $100 million for the pavement of the road from Gbarnga to Zorzor, the first phase of the pavement of the Gbarnga to Mendikorma Highway. Additional financing of $60 million was secured for the transmission and distribution of electricity into Kakata that is well underway. To its credit, the Government has been able to finance its essential services including the payment of civil servants salaries and have kept schools and hospitals open for the most part, in spite of low earnings from export commodities. 2015 LOW: With worsening commodity price decline and the inability of the economy to create more jobs, the domestic challenges of hardship continue unabated. The economy is in need of a lift if future growth projections would be met and creative solutions must be crafted to address declining standards of living and the provision of job opportunities. 2016 OUTLOOK: 2016 looks to be even challenging as commodity prices, especially rubber and iron ore, are not expected to recover, according to a World Bank data, showing that between now and 2025, rubber and iron ore prices may never return to 2013 price levels. This is not good news for the Liberian economy. However, the push by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to work with development partners, private sector and other government actors to move quickly and diversify into agriculture especially in the value-addition holds future promise. With additional 38 megawatts of power coming on line at reduced prices coupled with the completion of the paving of the Redlight to Ganta-Guinea border road, we might see major economic activities along that corridor. Additionally, most oil palm companies will begin to see major harvests. If processing facilities can be strategically placed where small holders can process their oil palm fruits into crude, this might be a turning point. The question that continues to linger is, why now? GRADE: B Ministry OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS THE LOWDOWN: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s presence has loomed large at the Ministry leaving little room for the three Ministers – George Wallace, Olubanke King Akinrele and Augustine Ngafuan, who have so far served during the past ten years, finding it difficult to command the international posture of Ministers from previous years. Sirleaf’s international stature has been needed to draw attention to pressing dilemma as in the case of the deadly Ebola virus outbreak. “Before the crisis, our economy was growing at 7.5 percent, and we were making steady progress. Now, we again find ourselves rebuilding; our neighbors, Sierra Leone and Guinea, are still working toward defeating Ebola. Our priority is to revisit how we deliver the basics of life to our people, including safe water, sanitation, and hygiene,” the President wrote in the Foreign Policy Magazine in September. The resignation of ruling party favorite Augustine Ngafuan dominated the headlines for the Ministry during the course of the year. The Minister cited an Act of Legislature Prescribing a National Code of Conduct for All Public Officials and Employees, especially Part V, concerning Political Participation. Ngafuan who has not hidden his desire to be a player in the 2017 Presidential elections, has not specified whether he will aim for the highest elected office -- the presidency. 2015 HIGH: During the year under review, the Ministry as part of its reform process sought to strengthen relations with Liberian communities and organizations in the Diaspora in a bid to allow the government to further engage and easily respond to the challenges affecting our Diaspora communities. The first step in this effort will entail the establishment of a database containing personal information of Liberian citizens within the diaspora. “In order to establish effective communication and networking between the Liberian Diaspora Community and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as to establish information dissemination and exchange platform, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is encouraging the Registration of all Liberians and Liberian organizations in the diaspora through our embassies and/ or the Focal Point for the Diaspora Engagement, the Office of the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs” says Hon. Abratha P. Doe. 2015 LOW: The Ministry endured a scandal-ridden year forcingPresident Sirleaf to dismiss the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Thomas Kaydor for behavior unbecoming of a senior government official as an investigation proceeds by the Ministry of Justice with the misuse of Japanese Grant Funds by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, Mr. Jeddi Armah was also dismissed for the authorization of a passport to a Ministry staff that did not comply with policy. Inappropriate activities also led to the suspension of the Director of Passport, Mrs. Finda Davies, for one month on the job without pay for carrying out instruction by issuing a passport even though it was clear that there was a violation. 2016 OUTLOOK: What will become of the investigation into Japanese funds scandal? GRADE: D Ministry OF GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION THE LOWDOWN: A high-performer in the past years, the Ministry struggled on all fronts during the course of the year amid numerous reports of gender-based violence and top officials getting a pat on the back for degrading womanhood. Minister Julia Duncan Cassel has been challenging Liberians to bring perpetrators of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) to justice but authorities have cited the inability of victims’ families and witnesses to come forward as a key reason why perpetrators are getting an easy pass. Many international observers fear that Liberia risks setting a benchmark to deter perpetrators if it misses an opportunity to right to ship under its first woman head of state. Currently, Article 11 of the Constitution of Liberia guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms for all, irrespective of sex. However, there is no explicit definition of gender discrimination in either the Constitution or Liberian legislation. Liberia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1984, but has not yet ratified the Optional Protocol on violence against women. The country ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa in 2008. In 2001, the government created a Ministry for Gender and Development, and a National Gender Policy is in place but the jury is still out on how much the Sirleaf administration is willing to push the envelope and leave its mark on a defining moment in history as her government prepares to take a bow. 2015 HIGH: On paper, Sirleaf trumpeted steps her government has taken to address SGBV in a speech in November. “Our commitment to women is demonstrated in the programs we support for better living conditions and literacy training for those in the informal sector. Programs are being evaluated and restructured for better results in the control of domestic violence and rape. We are proud to have achieved Goal No. 3 of the MDGs for Women Empowerment. Challenges continue in our effort to improve access to pipe-borne water particularly in Monrovia.” 2015 LOW: In a year when sexual and gender-based violence was high on the radar for Liberia, the head of the special Presidential task force and former mayor Mary Broh was in the headlines once again after photos surfaced on the social media Facebook showing Broh whipping three Liberians girls. Broh defended that she did nothing wrong. “I did nothing wrong, the bible says spare not the rod and the let the child spoil, and I did not whip any of the girls 50 lashes, they were three of them and one of them was a teenager and I am told that the smaller one normally goes there, I am not going to say what you normally say in the raw way but she does tricks and so I grabbed her, I had a little switch in my hand and I gave her three lashes on her buttocks”. The Gender Ministry’s silence raised eyebrows while Broh’s supporters say the former mayor was right to put the young girls in check. 2016 OUTLOOK: Will the coming year mark a changing trend for women? Will government increase accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence? And will policymakers at both national and international levels prioritize that accountability remains the key focus of violence against women? GRADE: C Ministry OF HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE THE LOWDOWN: In his assessment of the sector, just months before taking his bow this year, former Minister Dr. Walter Gwenigale lamented that there is a critical health workforce shortage compounded with high attrition and demotivation which is hampering the delivery of health services to thousands of Liberians. Dr. Gwenigale surmised: “There is no appraisal system to track staff performance, exacerbated by a low and unstandardized salary structure. Staff is disenchanted over low salaries and wrongful dismissal. Over 4,000 health workers are contractors and are job insecure, with many lacking housing accommodation, particularly professional staff in rural communities.” This has pretty much been the story of Liberia’s healthcare compounded by the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in 2014. 2015 HIGH: The sector, which was severely challenged by Ebola made some gains but even President Sirleaf acknowledged in a nationwide speech in November that the fragility exposed during the Ebola attack was a reflection of the overall fragility of our post-conflict disposition. In spite of the challenges, access to health services access and to health care increased from 41% in 2007 to 71% in 2013. This was made possible by increased health facilities from 354 in 2006 to 712 in 2012. Ten (10) public health facilities were established and we expect to have a targeted 80% coverage which translates to 89 additional health facilities. Plans for rebuilding a resilient health system include improved conditions for healthcare workers, upgrading major referral and county hospitals, training of medical personnel and arranging an effective system for drug supply. A free package of health services across the country has increased access by 71 percent. Maternal mortality decreased significantly, but has once again climbed to an unacceptable level due to the impact of Ebola. Progress in reducing infant mortality enabled Liberia to achieve MDG Goal No.4, on child mortality. 2015 LOW: The reemergence of new Ebola cases, weeks after the country was declared free of the virus by the World Health Organization demoralized the sector. But more importantly, some 15% of all Liberian children continue to die before their first birthday, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund. With Liberia possessing some of the world’s highest rates of maternal mortality, malnutrition and post-traumatic stress disorder, the latter dating back to a 14-year civil war, the country has much work to be done beyond the Ebola worries. The reoccurrence of the deadly Ebola virus raises concerns about Liberia’s ability to keep the virus at bay but swift control of resurfacing cases has spurred hopes that the worst may be behind the country most-hit by the virus. At least 4,800 deaths blamed on the disease were reported in Liberia but officials and medical researchers now wonder how soon their country and its neighbors will be completely rid of the scourge. With a disappointing only 29% of Liberians (1.1 million people) lacking access to a health facility within 5 km or a one-hour walk; 65% of households walked to a health facility;, 26% of health facilities do not have a sound structure; 45% do not have a primary power source or electricity;, 13% do not have access to safe water; and 43% do not have a functional incinerator or waste management system. According to Dr. Gwenigale, there is no Laboratory Standard, no maintenance plan and budget, and many health facilities lack periodic maintenance. “Most health facilities need extension to accommodate emergency triage, isolation units and the separation of short- stay males from females and appropriate latrines facilities. Confidentiality and privacy are not observed in most health facilities, infection prevention and control systems are weak, and neither financial nor cultural barriers were the main impediments to accessing health care. However, the major obstacles were; geographical location of Page 9 of 121 health facilities, compounded by deplorable road conditions, limited referral facilities and the unavailability of an efficient public transportation system.” 2016 OUTLOOK: Recent scientific studies and case reports indicate the Ebola virus can persist in survivors’ bodily fluids—semen, breast milk, spinal fluid, inner-eye fluid—months longer than previously thought. Eyes will be keenly watching the coming year to see whether the Ministry can improve on its control and usage of goods and services, particularly donated items by international organizations and stakeholders. A case in point numerous ambulances donated during the heat of Ebola are being misused and used for transportation services or transporting MoH employees. GRADE: C Ministry OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS THE LOWDOWN: One of the priorities of the Sirleaf-led government upon taking over in 2006 was to oversee a new dimension of governance system that will transform the development landscape and change the mindset of both the Leaders and the Governed keeping in mind that leaders are more open, responsive and accountable, while community dwellers are playing a greater role in development activities, (decision-making and participation). During the course of the year, the MIA has been busy pushing and emphasizing a decentralization program it hopes will not only make Liberia a better place for the current generation, but also for posterity. “Decentralization remains high on the government's development agenda, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs is going to be the driving force in achieving this goal,” says Varney Sirleaf, who was recently appointed to the post following the abrupt dismissal of Morris Dukuly as Minister. Dukuly suffered his second dismissal casualty in the last ten years when he was let go in August. He was forced to resign in August 2006 when a stunning fire engulfed the third and fourth floors of the Executive Mansion in Monrovia. Mr. Dukuly, at the time said he was taking responsibility for the damage done. This time around, sources say, Dukuly’s dismissal came as a result of recent comments he made at the National Legislature when he informed lawmakers that the President did not do more consultations on the Land Right bill, currently before that body for passage. The bill was proposed by President Sirleaf to among other things; create an autonomous agency that will handle all land-related matters. Sources say, President Sirleaf was shocked to note that during a hearing conducted by the Senate Committees on Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment recently, Minister Dukuly, recommended that the bill be sent back to its authors (President Sirleaf and others), so that further consultations can be held and that more experts be given the opportunity to critically review the law. 2015 HIGH: As coordinating agency of government between central government in Monrovia and local Administrations at county levels, the Ministry, during the year under review trumpeted taking government to the people as a key agenda item and introduced a Quarterly Best Performing Superintendent’s Award in a bid to promote competition, recognize performance and as a mean of motivation. The Ministry also completed analysis of its personnel across the country, a re-profiling exercise intended to establish merit-based computerized data base of all personnel of MIA. The exercise has helped the Ministry document staff categories in qualification, experience and need capacity-building needs. Funding obstacles were removed by addressing some concerns from partners in the beginning of the year. Partners including EU, USAID, Sweden, UNDP and UNMIIL are all contributing The Ministry also trained local government officers from across the country in February to prepare them for deconcentration of services and understanding of the Decentralization & Local Governance program and launched of deconcentration Platform in February, which among other things underscores effective service delivery away from Monrovia. During the year under review, the Ministry opened a service center in Grand Bassa County, a one-stop center where documentations relating to licenses, permits and certificates are obtained. The center will prevent people traveling to Monrovia for basic services including marriage certificates (both traditional & western), Business registration etc. The Ministry is also hoping to open additional County Service Centers before end of December in Kakata, Gbarnga, Sanniquellie, and Voinjama. Completion works are in advanced stages. During the year, the MIA and the Governance Commission completed the draft Local Government Bill, presented to President Sirleaf awaiting onward submission to the Legislature. The Kokoyah Millennium Village Project was completed. Though yet to be dedicated, residents of Kokoyah District in Bong County are benefiting from infrastructures, medical centers, solar panel street lights, schools, market building, communication (GSM) water & sanitation services etc. spread across the three administrative districts of Kokoyah Statutory District in Bong County to meet the needs of the people. The KMV Project was taken over by MIA in mid-2013 after the donor (Norway), decided to pull out due to its failing state by initial implementers. Consistent with its mandate under the National Deconcentration Platform, MIA established 15 County-level Disaster Management Committees. Concrete steps aimed at transforming the National Disaster Relief Commission into the National Disaster Management Agency were taken. There is an Act already passed by the House of Representatives and awaiting Senate’s action. It is hoped that the Senate will pass the Act upon return from their Annual Break. The creating of the agency is consistent with best practices by many countries. There is already national disaster management plan. In preparation for the agency, MIA in collaboration with other Ministries, Agencies and Commissions is working closely with USAFRICOM and other partners to train Liberians who will take over this responsibility. In September, 60 Liberians formed part of a month-long training in Ghana. Upon their return, a nationwide training for County Disaster Management Committees was completed in late November. The Ministry has also reactivated and empowered County Peace Committees in counties and purchased 15 motorbikes for the committees’ focal points and provided support to the INHCR for the implementation of its mandate. The Peace-building Office (PBO) published status of implementation of the TRC Reports. This has given the public more understanding on how the TRC recommendations are being treated. The Ministry also provided grants to Civil Society Organizations working on conflict and peace-building issues. The MIA successfully coordinated projects implementation and general preparation for the holding Independence Day Celebrations in two South Eastern Counties. 2015 LOW: While the Ministry took some actions against violators of human rights of people by forcefully initiating others into groves with the arrest and punishment of a Chief Zoe (Da Zoe) in Bomi for forceful initiation of a motorcyclist into the poro society, critics including the Executive Director of the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND) says more can be done. Mr. Roosevelt A. K. Woods told a news conference during the year that the prevailing human rights situation in the country “amounts to crimes against humanity.” Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a traditional procedure involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs intended to ensure a girl status, marriageability, chastity and family honor. The traditional women usually referred to as “Zoes” would lay the girls down, sit on their chest and tie their hands and faces so that they would not see the instrument being used, according to victims accounts. The Ministry has been previously criticized by the United Nations Committee overseeing the Convention on the Elimination of ALL Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) for issuing permits to practitioners of “female genital mutilation” and said it was “an explicit form of support” for the practice and undermines any efforts eliminate it. “Despite international pressure, and a female President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Liberian Government hasn’t taken a public position against female genital circumcision or to provide protection to human rights activists,” Woods lamented. Despite the criticisms the Ministry says it is taking steps to curb the practice. During the year under review, the Ministry conducted inventory of all poro and sande groves in Liberia as well as sacred places. The exercise is intended to account for the number of groves, their locations and operators. One primary goal is avoid contestation by citizens who tend to resist concessions in the name of sacred and traditional sites. 2016 OUTLOOK: With two years or less remaining, new Minister Varney Sirleaf - the first non-Muslim to hold the post since the late Edward Sackor did during the Samuel Kanyon Doe era, has work cut out for him. But will 2016 be the year a strong decision on the Poro and Sande society come to light? GRADE: C+ Ministry OF LABOR THE LOWDOWN: Coming off a year when the U.S. Department of Labor reported that Liberia had only made a minimal advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, the Ministry in 2015 had its work cut out especially after the government was forced to redirect most of its resources to address an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in 2014. According to the U.S. Labor Department, while the Child Protection Network in Liberia developed a 6-month strategic plan to respond to vulnerable group of children in post-Ebola, children continue to be engaged in child labor, including in agriculture and mining. 2015 HIGH: The signing into law in June of the Decent Work Bill by President Sirleaf was a high point for the Ministry as it marked the first time since the 1950s that such a bill had been put into law. The act marks the second time that the African country becomes a forerunner in promoting ILO standards. The passage of the Bill sets the pace for the implementation of a dignified working environment. In accordance with the passage of the Decent Work Act/Law, the new Minimum Wage for domestic/casual workers is US$3.50, while the new minimum wage for workers in the formal sector is US$5.50 which implementation will begin 2016. In June 2006, Liberia became the first country in the world to ratify the ILO’s Maritime Labor Organization convention. Now it has adopted the first labor law in the world that refers to the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda directly in its title. The new law explicitly promotes fundamental rights at work, including freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively; the right not to be subject to forced or compulsory labour; the right to equality at work, and to equal working conditions regardless of gender or other irrelevant criteria; and the right not to be subject to the worst forms of child labor. The law also seeks to implement certain fundamental rights found in Liberia’s Constitution. Pursuant to Regulation 17 of the Labor Practices Law of Liberia, the Ministry of Labor launched the ECOWAS Biometric identification scheme. This process will now afford ECOWAS citizens the informal sector the opportunity to obtain work permit; and, through the Service Center at the county level under the Decentralization, Deconcentration Platform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the period under review, and pursuant to the Labor Practices Law, the Ministry issued Regulation No. 19; to this effect, the regulation defines a specific time period during which cases MUST be expeditiously heard, thus reducing the number of cases on the dockets; The Ministry through effective social dialogue has managed to reduce strike actions at the workplace; the MOL successfully mediated nine (9) potential labor disputes/strike actions (9) at workplaces in the following establishments: Firestone Plantations Company, Liberia Labour Congress, China Union, Liberia Agricultural Company, (LAC), Bea Mountain, Arcelor Mittal, Cocopa, Goldern Veroleum and Sime Darby The Ministry also successfully attested to six Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) signed between managements and their respective workers’ unions intended to guide labour relationships. The agreements outlined that significant improvements shall be made for the living and working conditions of workers’ employed. The establishments involved were: Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation, National Port Authority, China Union, National Transit Authority and the Press Union of Liberia. The Ministry conducted a stakeholders’ meeting leading towards the formulation of the first National Action Plan (NAP) in the fight against the worst forms of child labour in Liberia. Tothis end, the Ministry has facilitated the training of a 15-member Technical Working Group (TWG) for the development of the NAP. 2015 LOW: The issue of fourteen Liberian girls trafficked to Lebanon cast a black eye on the Ministry and illustrated the frailties and missteps the Sirleaf-led government continues to grapple regarding gender-based violence and negative trends toward women going unabated. The government’s anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, housed and chaired by Ministry in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration was successful in repatriating 14 but some are reportedly still languishing in Lebanon. The alleged traffic victims are presently being housed at safe home in Tubmanburg, Bomi County where their alleged perpetrator is being prosecuted. 2016 OUTLOOK: The Ministry, according to Minister Neto Lighe will be focused on the Labour Survey for 2015, a process which is already underway and will show employment trends whether declining or improving, provide indicators and appropriate measures for policy action. “It will also bring out current human rights information on child labor, rights to unionize, civil and political rights and labor market information system to support the TVET sector on supply and demand of jobs. This will inform TVET institutions on what kind of skills are and will be required by employers, focused driven training, rigorous enforcement of the Liberianization Police and finalization and official child labor action plan and strategy. GRADE: B Ministry OF LANDS, MINES & ENERGY THE LOWDOWN: The quest to develop Liberia’s post-war energy sector through the construction of small-scale, renewable pilot projects, as well as through building government capacity and providing training has been a key target for the Sirleaf administration over the past ten years. While critics and skeptics continue to doubt the government’s ability to fulfill its pledge of connect 70% of Monrovia to the electricity grid and provide access to 35% of the rest of the country by 2030, much of the burden falls on the Ministry to come up with adequate guidelines to make the goal a reality. Crucial to that objective is the rebuilding the Mt. Coffee hydropower plant which is projected to go on line in 2016. 2015 HIGH: The Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy executed several activities to strengthen the Energy, Mineral, Water and Land Sectors of the country as well as promote economic growths and sustainable social services for the people of Liberia. The activities executed during the year under review included: the Mt. Coffee Hydropower Rehabilitation Project which make up generating equipment, civil works, substations/transmission lines and camp. The various procurement processes are about 80% completed. Associated activities including design, manufacturing and delivery of generating equipment (turbines and electro-mechanicals) are ongoing. Social safeguards including resettlement payments to residents between Bushrod Island and Mt Coffee are largely completed while engineering works on the dam have begun. Moreover, additional financing for Mt. Coffee and its associated activities have been procured from the MCC Compact and the target date for first power production remains December 2016. Other generation projects including 10 MW HFO Plant (JICA), 10 MW HFO Plant (World Bank), 18MW DIESEL PLANT (GoL) and 10MW HFO PLANT (BADEA) have completed procurement and delivery of generators, switchgears, transformers and most auxiliary equipment. Furthermore, cable routing and grounding system have been completed. Other Transmission and Distribution Projects included the Monrovia Consolidation (Construction and upgrade of 66kV DC line between Bushrod and Paynesville with S/S at Kru-town, Capitol and Paynesville) and the Three Corridor (Monrovia-Kakata, Monrovia-Tubmanburg, Monrovia-Roberts field) are also well underway. Specific tasks completed include the full design of projects, procurement processes concluded, and sites have been cleared and secured. Lastly, the projects are awaiting approval for funding to begin execution. In the Mining Sector, the Ministry made a great effort of accessing the qualification of Bio-Chico and Tawana Resources (two companies involved in iron ore exploration in Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount Counties) for MDA (Mineral Development Agreement) negotiation. At the end of these exercises, both companies were recommended for MDA negotiation based upon the discovery of about Three Hundred Eighty-Two Million (382,000,000) tons of iron ore for Bao Chico and Sixty Two Million (62,000,000) tons of iron ore for Tawana Resources. Furthermore, the department also worked with the Bea Mountain Mineral Corporation in its endeavor to commence the first industrial gold mining operation in Liberia. This effort culminated in the median shipment in July of 2015 of –a little over 800 ounces of Gold from Liberia’s first industrial gold mine. 2015 LOW: The debate leading to the passage into law of the 2015 Electricity bill establishing the National Commission on Electricity was marred by controversy and resistance. The passage of the law also gives way for Liberia to receive US$250M from the United States government to boost the power sector. The proposed act establishes the legal and regulatory framework for the generation, transmission, distribution and retail sale of electricity and for import and export. This will create an enabling environment for private sector investment in the energy sector of Liberia. Opponents of the bill, including Senate Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence argued that the bill was not in the best interest of the country. 2016 OUTLOOK: The long-running civil war threw Liberia to the bottom of the electricity grid, becoming the lowest rate of access to public electricity in the world, according to the Africa Energy Unit of the World Bank. The coming 2016 promises to change that with work said to be intensifying on the Mount Coffee Hydro. While the average rate of access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa is 28.5 percent, and in neighboring Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire 6 percent and 43.7 percent, respectively, Liberia’s rate of access to publicly provided electricity is close to zero. An urban access rate can only be derived for Monrovia: of an estimated 210,619 households, 1,217 are supplied with public electricity (as of late 2010), corresponding to 0.58 percent of Monrovia’s population. With the exception of a very limited municipal mini-grid in Gbarnga, Bong County, no publicly supplied electricity service is available outside of Monrovia. GRADE: B- Ministry OF NATIONAL DEFENSE THE LOWDOWN: The challenge of a post-UNMIL Liberia was evident at the start of the year when some 30 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia were dismissed for Absence Without Leave or AWOL. The action was taken by the high command of the AFL, in collaboration with authorities of the Ministry of National Defense in Monrovia. The Chief of Staff of the AFL, General Daniel Zangar and Defense Minister Brownie Samukai reportedly dismissed the soldiers on grounds that they abandoned the Edward Binyah Kesselley Barracks on the Roberts International Airport Highway during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease. Prior to the departure of the soldiers from the Barracks for their various homes, seven of them died of the virus. 2015 HIGH: Liberia unveiled its first post-war Chief of Staff, after nearly a decade under the command of Nigerian Command Officer-in-Charge. Brigadier General Daniel D. Ziankhan yesterday replaced outgoing Command Officer-in-Charge General Abdurrahaman during the official ceremony marking the 57th Anniversary of the AFL at the Barclay Training Center or BTC in Monrovia in February. But more importantly, Liberia’s post-war troops continued to make contributions after two separate units returned home after African peacekeeping duties in Mali. The year also marked a personal feat for Minister Brownie Samukai who is the only surviving member of the original Cabinet after the resignation of Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan. Samukai was part of a class of high-profile appointees that included Dr. Antoinette Sayeh, a former World Bank colleague of Sirleaf in the key job of finance Minister, and a rival Presidential candidate and career educator, Dr. Joseph Korto as Minister of Education. After a turbulent previous year in which soldiers conduct was questioned over the death of 13-year-old Shaki Kamara during a quarantine of West Point at the height of Ebola, the Ministry has been rebranding itself by getting soldiers involved in community initiatives. During the year, some 200 soldiers were training as ambassadors in preventing sexual gender based violence (SGBV) in Liberia. Overall, President Sirleaf acknowledged in a call to action speech in November that security remains paramount to the achievement of economic goals. “In this regard, we restored honor to the Armed Forces of Liberia. With support from our partners. The United States of America will train and continue to train a new professional army. Today, they are participating in international peace keeping duties, and are assisting in other civil works for improved infrastructure. Similarly, we continue to work with other security entities, particularly the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization readying these institutions increasingly to stand up as UNMIL stands down.” 2015 LOW: The after effect of the West Point quarantine debacle and death of little Shaki Kamara continued to cast a black eye on the Liberian army as the country received a downward trend arrow due the government’s imposition of ill-advised quarantines that restricted freedom of movement and employment in some of the country’s most destitute areas, as well as several new or revived restrictions on freedoms of the press and assembly, according to Freedom House. 2016 OUTLOOK: With UN peacekeepers scaling down operation in Liberia, focus in the coming year will be on whether the Liberian army is adequately prepared to pick up the slack. GRADE: B Ministry OF POST & TELECOMMUNICATIONS THE LOWDOWN: The advent of the internet has made the postal system closed to obsolete in Liberia but the Ministry of Post & Telecommunications, appears confident that it can meet the demands from postal related customers and ICT users. Over the past year, the Ministry embarked on projects with serious implications on the sector's growth including Digital Migration Initiative, Internet Exchange Point (IXP), Project Management Office, Universal Access (UA) Program, Chief Information Office, Postal Expansion Project, and Capacity Building. Minister Frederick Norkeh has been touting privatization of the postal service in a bid to boost revenue generation for government coffers and make the service more efficient. The Ministry in 2014 generated LD$23.6 million and US$72. 268 from postal activities at various offices across the country. The amount was raised from the sale of stamps, institutional mail, home mail, post shop and Expedited Mail Service (EMS). The report said the Ministry contributed to the Government of Liberia budget the sum of L$5,924,700 and US$6,000. Mail and mailable items in rural Liberia has been one component of the Ministry’s Postal Expansion drive. 2015 HIGH: With support from the African Union, the Ministry unveiled Liberia’s first Internet Exchange Point (LIXP), making it one of 10 African nations with the facility. The service will ensure that internet traffic intended for local use is kept local as well as help to reduce communication cost, and increase speed and other benefits to diverse users. 2015 LOW: With much of the world transforming into a global internet village, the Ministry has failed to a working website. Nearly all of the links on the Ministry’s website: are broken. Even Norkeh has admitted that the present postal service falls short of the changes of modern times due to funding lapses which is hampering transformation drive to enable the Ministry to cope with the changing technological age. 2016 OUTLOOK: How soon will Liberia be ready to adapt to the changing technological advancement for postal and mailing services? GRADE: D Ministry OF PUBLIC WORKS THE LOWDOWN: Local and international stakeholders all agree that roads and infrastructural development adds to growth and the gross domestic product and Liberia’s post-war road network has so far failed to deliver in a way that could cement the Sirleaf legacy. According to a report by the African Development Bank, improved infrastructure is a precondition for accelerated development of the domestic private sector and is a key requirement for the expansion of intra-regional trade, the benefit of which will improve regional food security over time and build the region’s trading capacity and ability to compete in world markets. During the year under review squabbles and blame game over debts owed contractors by the government of Liberia was cited among reasons for delays of several road projects across the country. During the course of the year, Public Works Minister Gyude Moore, appearing before the House of Representatives to give reasons why the S.K.D. Boulevard and the Police Academy roads have yet to be completed, disclosed that government owed the contractors US$5.5 million. He said it was only after the money was paid and the rainy season ended would the projects commence. Despite the setback, Sirleaf has been trumpeting what she says are achievements made by her administration over the course of ten years. “The high cost and severe climatic conditions have made this challenging, but we paved or rehabilitated nearly 698 kilometers of city, inter-county, and neighborhood roads, the highest by any Government. By the end of 2017, the number of paved roads will be 960 kilometers, of which will be 220 new paved roads.” 2015 LOW: Minister Moore’s revelation that the Sirleaf administration exhausted US$750 million on road projects nationwide since the inception of the government came as a shock to many against the obvious realities of bad roads in and around the country which pose serious health and security risks with many finding it hard to gain easy access to hospitals and robbers access to invade homes far away from Police or community watch groups. Moore’s revelation that the administration will spend US$1billion before leaving office. “Government will need the amount of US$1.99 billion to work on all of its projects,” Minister Moore said. 2016 OUTLOOK: The true test of the Sirleaf government’s aim of paving 960 kilometers of road will be gauged in the coming year. GRADE: C Ministry OF INFORMATION, CULTURAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM THE LOWDOWN: One of the worst-performing ministries over the past few years saw some traction in the direction of the positive in the past year, away from the negative controversies that defined it previous periods under review. The Ministry was created by an Act of the National Legislature in 1965 with the statutory responsibility to develop and disseminate factual information about the Government of Liberia both at home and abroad as well as promote Cultural and Tourism activities through institutions such as the National Museum, which is the custodian of Historical Artifacts, as well as Cultural Villages and the historic Providence Island. During the course of the year, the Ministry was successful in revitalizing of the National Communications Bureau following successful conclusions of negotiations with the Press Union of Liberia for the registration of media entities which has also led to increased revenues from MICAT and a fairer accounting for advertisement from the government. 2015 HIGH: The Ministry which has been criticized in the past for not doing enough to disseminate propaganda in a timely and robust fashion gains in the past year as the Liberia News Agency increased presence in 12 of 15 counties. Press and Information Officers stationed in 5 countries around the world were redeployed to effective cover and report on activities of the government including Presidential visits, significantly reducing the cost of travels of huge media-related delegations. But the Ministry’s biggest achievement has been its massive social media presence with daily feeds on Facebook, Twitter and other online mediums. The Ministry also resurrected publications of the Republication of the New Liberia Newspaper with historical perspective. The weekly MICAT Press Briefing which takes place twice weekly brings journalists together with officials of the government and newsmakers. On the cultural front, the Ministry took a major step to revamp the historic museum downtown Monrovia by completing the procurement process for the renovation of the edifice on Broad Street and is near conclusion for the commencement of actual work. According to Minister Lewis Brown, the only holdup now is contract negotiation involving the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning since the value of the contract is above the threshold of US$250,000. During the year under review, the Ministry took steps to relocate the National Culture Center to Ben Town. After resurveying, the Ministry, in November, a contract was signed for construction work to commence on a 52-acre land space for the new National Culture Center in Ben Town in Marshall. The first 30 acres of land has been cleared to be fenced for the construction of 15 prefab residential buildings and renovation of existing ones ongoing. Steps were also taken to renovate the Behsao Cultural Village. “All necessary documents for evaluating the two bidders for the renovation of the second cultural village at Behsao, in Bomi County have been turned over to the Evaluation Panel for evaluation report and the Ministry awaits approved procurement addendum plan from the Public Procurement Concession Commission,” says Minister Brown. During the year under review, the Ministry made significant gain for Liberia’s Culture and Historical Sites to be granted World Heritage Status. In ongoing partnership with the Ministry, in October, UNESCO sent an expert to Liberia who was accompanied by two knowledgeable Liberians to several historical sites including the Providence Island, the birthplace of the Republic of Liberia. The tentative list has been submitted to the World Heritage Committee. A follow-up agreement has already been signed for the next phase. In accordance with the Accra Peace Accord and recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, under the Ministry, the Government took another giant step to address the issue of national identity and review the country’s symbols. Prominent Liberians were invited to share their views on “The historical significance of the Orders vis-à-vis the importance of integrating cultural symbols into the Orders of Merits and Distinction.” On the Tourism front, the Ministry completed the work program for reactivation of the tourism sector beginning with the full assessment of the country’s touristic potential and ongoing discussions with various Universities on the retrieval of historical items for inclusion in the renovated Museum. Liberia, for the first time, Celebrated World Tourism Day in the Port City of Buchanan showcasing Liberia’s unique touristic potential. The country was also designated a World Heritage Country to bolster tourism. 2015 LOW: The Ministry’s decision to centralize government advertising through its office has not gone well with media houses who have complained that the Ministry is not doing enough to ensure that government ministries and agencies pay newspapers and media houses for published and aired advertisements on time, prompting many media houses to fear that the government could resort to its previous 419 scheme of allowing debts to pile up and telling media house that there is no money in government coffers and demanding or forcing them to settle for handshakes which are 90 percent, in some cases below what is actually owed. 2016 OUTLOOK: Will the Ministry demonstrated a renewed responsibility and take charge to ensure that government fulfill its obligation to media houses? Eyes will be zeroing in on planned works on the cultural center and renovation of the national museum. GRADE: B Ministry OF JUSTICE THE LOWDOWN: Just days before the end of her tenure in Liberia this year, Karin Landgren, former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Coordinator of United Nations Operations in Liberia cautioned that with just a few months before Liberia assumes full responsibility for its own security, there was a need to establish clear priorities in a bid to prepare for life after UNMIL. Today, justice and security concerns are as pressing as ever. The UN Security Council in a report during the year cited several risk factors for insecurity in Liberia including inadequate government regulation of arms and ammunition, a lack of control over insecure border areas, potentially contentious upcoming national elections in neighboring Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, incomplete national reconciliation and transitional justice processes, widespread corruption and a lack of public sector transparency and accountability, and economic dependence on natural resource exports including large-scale agriculture and the extractive industries are recurring sources of social unrest over labor and land issues. 2015 HIGH: A very difficult year with not much to write home about for the underperforming Ministry. 2015 LOW: The Ministry suffered public condemnation in March when Minister and Attorney General Benedict Sannoh punched a blow beneath the belt in declaring slain corruption whistleblower Michael Allison as a fake identity. Minister Sannoh said the late Allison was actually Nkrumah Mozia Madin Mulmi, an American citizen who was born in 1967 in the Bahamas, the United States of America. Many legal analysts and sympathizers questioned the motives of the Minister revealing information which had nothing to do with the cause of death. Allison, a former consultant to the National Oil Company of Liberia blew the whistle that led to an ongoing investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) involving the speaker of the House of Representative in Liberia and a lawmaker. Allison was found dead at a beach behind the Royal Air Maroc Monrovia office in his underwear with foam pouring from his mouth. An autopsy later determined that he died of drowning although friends and sympathizers questioned the findings. 2016 OUTLOOK: With Sannoh at the helm, the Sirleaf government is on the verge of missing out fixing one of poorly-performing ministries of her two terms as President – unless a miracle unfold in the coming year. GRADE: F Ministry OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS THE LOWDOWN: The Ministry charged with among other things, the responsibility of coordinating activities and operations of the Office of the President remains a poor performer for the tenth-year running. The issues of vetting of the Republic of Liberia; and providing support to the President in carrying out the Executive Functions of the State through close consultation with the Cabinet, key agencies and other institutions, i.e. private sector and civil society. 2015 HIGH: President Sirleaf noted for usual frequent foreign travels undertook numerous travels during the course of the year and during these journeys there were no reports of the Liberian leader encountering difficulties which can be attributed to the work of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. 2015 LOW: The Ministry of State has been quiet during the course of the year. Unlike previous years, the Special Presidential project unit at the Ministry did not implement major projects during the year. Also the momentum usually associated with programs such as the President Young Professional Program and others have all gone low. 2016 OUTLOOK: It remains to seen how the Ministry of State will handle the last two years of the Sirleaf regime especially with the country now taking a political trend. Grade: C- Ministry OF TRANSPORT THE LOWDOWN: The Ministry responsible for adMinistering and implementing the Transport law of Liberia endured a turbulent and progressive year. Be it land, sea or air, this is one area Liberians continue to struggle. During the year under review, air travelers complained endlessly over Kenya Airways’ and other regional carriers’ decision to increase its fares as high as US$1,400 round trip to neighboring Ghana. The Ministry in collaboration with the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority commenced an investigation into the increase forcing KQ to drop its fares. Complaints have been less, other airlines using same routes and competition. Arik and Air Maroc. 2015 HIGH: The passage of the Draft Axle Load Law by both bodies of the national legislature was a high point for Ministry during the year under review. The Bill which is awaiting Presidential approval and subsequent printing into Handbill is intended to enact certain measures that would control the usage of Liberia’s streets and highways to avoid the fast destruction of country’s road infrastructure. It will also control certain vehicles from using certain roads, and will restrict the amount of load a vehicle can carry based on the number of axels the vehicle has. The Ministry of transport will promulgate regulations after the final passage to make the provisions of the law more effective. The Ministry also Initiated and undertook the process of the first ever competitive bidding process in 15 years, for the production and supply of Motor Vehicles License plates. New plates with new designs have been introduced on the market for the next 5 years with key features which include alpha numeric numbering, retro reflective sheeting with manufactured embedded security features. New internal measures were taken to assure fairness in the distribution of plates and orderliness in how they are processed. The Ministry now has a new system in place to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. The Ministry received and held successful discussions with a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission on infrastructure in June, 2015. The team identified and agreed to provide technical and other support to the Ministry in the implementation of the following priority intervention projects to enhance the Ministry’s drive to reform the transport sector of Liberia: (1) Axle Load Control, (2) Road Safety Management and control, (3) The setting up of a stand-alone department of motor vehicle and driver’s licensing, (4) Transport Sector Institutional Reform and (5) Studies into other transport related activities. 2015 LOW: The Ministry’s black eye sore when the House of Representatives mandated its committees on Transport and Judiciary to investigate and inform the body in one week about the alleged hike in vehicle registration fees by the Ministry of Transport (MoT). The House’s decision was prompted by a communication from Lofa County District #1 Representative Eugene Fallah Kparkar accusing the Ministry of taking several actions without the input or consent of the 53rd Legislature. The Lofa County lawmaker also informed plenary that about 20,000 people paid for their license plates, but that the MoT has imported less than 10,000 plates, leaving many vehicles plying the streets without license plates. The lawmaker says the specifics of the new license plates are completely different from what was produced, adding, “The new plates are not reflective and the numbers are not bold.” 2016 OUTLOOK: On paper, the Ministry appears to have made significant improvement over the past year, but much of those achievements remains mute of commuters continue to face hardships getting from one point to the next. As the Axle Load Bill has been signed into law by The President, it will be interesting to see its implementation by The Ministry of Transport. Also, developing technical and safety standards and the enforcement of policies including emission control from the transport sector will be paramount in 2016 in wake of the new Paris Climate Change Agreement. The easy movement of people, goods and services had been a challenge. Hence, Ministry of Transport in collaboration with other stakeholders need to work together to address this concern. GRADE: B- Ministry OF YOUTH & SPORTS THE LOWDOWN: Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe recently acknowledged that the youths of Liberia have perhaps the greatest potential for the country’s development. The challenge continues to be: What is the Sirleaf administration doing to keep the youth’s busy and out of trouble. While the government repeatedly trumpets the engagement of youths with skills training programs, many remain idle which is why the Ministry during the year under review changed its approach in hopes of changing outlook and getting results. A case in point was the recent graduation of some 110 students in General Agriculture from the Klay Agriculture Vocational Training Center (KAVTC) in Bomi County. In previous years, training programs had not been arranged to meet demands on the job market, something Minister Nagbe acknowledges had to change. “We (government) have been training the young people, but in the wrong manner” Nagbe said. “We had not aligned training to the available jobs. So when we were developing the training modules for KAVTC, we decided to do General Agriculture because it has a high employment potential.” During the year under review, the Ministry fought to create an enabling environment for the acquisition of employable skills for the world of work by all categories of learners, including the youth, adults, the unemployed, create a robust, yet flexible human capacity development system that is responsive to the changing needs of the labor market; and produce a highly skilled workforce that makes Liberian industries, products, and services increasingly competitive in the local, regional, and global markets. Increase income-earning capacities of informal sector workers, especially of vulnerable groups through TVET, continuous and/or lifelong learning, and integration into the modern economy; and 2015 HIGH: During the year under review, the new MVTC complex, constructed with bilateral assistance from the Chinese government, was dedicated. Ongoing renovation of the old complex is well underway and a new cafeteria is being built for the new complex (renovation and construction of the cafeteria is 100% funded by the Government of Liberia). MVTC will provide an opened access to relevant education and training without regard to gender, disability/ability, ethnic or religious differences, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Besides, it will also provide relevant job-ready skills and continuing education and training for a wide range of occupations to meet the career interests of young people as well as the needs of industry, economy and wider society. As a means of enhancing communication among stakeholders involved in Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) in Liberia, governance, oversight, delivery levels as well as demand side, private sector, civil society organizations and development partners, a firm was hired through UNESCO exclusive funding, to develop an information sharing platform. Two specific tasks were assigned to the consulting firm and they are; to develop a web platform for enhancing communication among stakeholders involved in TVET in Liberia (governance, oversight, delivery levels as well as demand side, private sector, civil society organizations, development partners); To create a community of practice for the exchange of information between members of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on TVET and development partners in the field of TVET During the year under review, the Ministry undertook the rehabilitation and activation of various vocational and technical schools across the country is in line with the on-going reform process intended to make efficient and effective the delivery of technical and vocational education in the country. The overarching objective of these reforms is to ensure that the VTCs are adequately equipped to furnish young people with the training and competence required to make them competitive in the job market. The Klay Agricultural and Vocational Training Center has been renovated and reopened to provide quality training to young people hailing from the western counties of Bomi, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu. The Center is conducting training in the areas of Oil Palm Production, Piggery, Fishery, and Low Land Rice Production. The first batch of trainees has graduated and the next batch is being courted. The Ministry has also commenced training for the young Liberians to manage the TVET-LMIS..The TVET Labor Market Information Survey is aimed at addressing the misalliances between skills supplied by TVET institutions and skills demanded by concessionaires and other employers by providing a platform through which credible data on the type of skills required by employers can be shared thereby informing the preparation of training curricula and modules in the various TVET institutions. This platform will help reduce the huge gap that currently exists between TVET labor supply and TVET labor demand. During the year under review, renovation of the Tumutu Agriculture and Vocational Training Centerhas commenced. Located in Salala, Bong County, the Center is to provide technical and vocational education to at least two hundred young people from Bong, Nimba, Margibi and Lofa Counties in Vegetable and Rice Production, General Construction, Electricity, General Mechanics and Tailoring. The Center will charge no fees for enrolment and boarding. Also during the year, the Business & Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC) which caters to disadvantaged young girls and women was dedicated. Located in Paynesville, Adjacent the SKD Sports Complex, BBDOTC trained and graduated 400 young girls in basic vocational skills including, tailoring, catering, cosmetology, interior decoration, hotel management, etc. The Ministry has also been active in the Youth-on-the-Job Training program which targets disadvantaged, semi-literate and illiterate youth. They are recruited and placed into community workshops including mechanic shops, tailoring centers, plumbing outlets, etc. In 2015, 215 unskilled youth were recruited and placed into several centers in Liberia. In the last quarter, 189 were certificated for ending their training and 50% placed into employment. During the period under review, the Ministry in collaboration with the Liberia Football Association reorganized the various National Teams of Liberia to include: the under-14, under-17, under-20, under-23 and the senior National Team of Liberia. The reorganization plan provides at most, an aggressive training consist of a mixture of coaching applications under the Confederation of African Football (CAF) training module. The training targeted former national team players who once in our nation history brought endless joy and pride to our nation to assume technical and administrative roles. This effort subsequently led to the appointment of a set of new technical teams to manage the various national teams of Liberia, namely: James Salinsa Debbah, as the head coach of the Senior National Team and Kelvin Sebwe as his deputy , others appointed included: under-23: Thomas Kojo, head coach, Janjay Jacobs as his deputy; under-20: Christopher Wreh head coach with Oliver Makor serving as the deputy while Joe Nagbe and George Gebro were charged with the responsibility of managing the under-17 National Team as head and deputy coaches respectively; for the under-14, Varmah Kporto and Jonah Sarwiah were appointed as the head coach and deputy coach. Geared towards enhancing national unity and fostering peace amongst Liberians, the National Sports Meet is being held under the theme: Liberia Rising through Sports. The current holders of the Sports Meet will serve as hosts for this year’s event. Football, Kickball, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics, etc will form part of this year’s activities. 2015 LOW: There continues to be a high volume of barefooted youngsters selling in traffic in and around the city, raising questions about efforts the Ministry says it is making the keep idled youngsters busy and off the roadways. 2016 OUTLOOK: In 2009, a USAID Youth Fragility assessment argued that the Ministry of youth and sports severely lacks the capacity to address the needs of approximately one million youths. Although Minister Nagbe has identified youth training, employment and empowerment as priorities, visible scenes of youngsters on the streets being forced to become breadwinners for their families suggest more work needs to be done. Will 2016 be that year? Better coordination amongst the Ministry and Gender and development as well as budgetary support will be key. GRADE: B-