MONROVIA — Despite being seven months into its tenure, the Boakai-Koung administration is still in the process of finalizing the ARREST Agenda for inclusive development, according to Deputy Finance Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Madam Tanneh Brunson.
The ARREST Agenda, which stands for Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism, was introduced by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai during his inaugural ceremony on January 22, 2024, marking the transition from the Weah-Taylor administration. President Boakai emphasized the importance of these sectors in reversing years of economic decline through a comprehensive and interconnected development strategy.
Speaking to a large diplomatic gathering, Deputy Minister Brunson highlighted that Liberia is actively developing this agenda, aligning with President Boakai’s vision to transform the nation and provide much-needed relief and progress for its citizens.
“Liberia is in the process of developing the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which embodies the priorities of H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai to transform Liberia and bring rescue and relief for the people,” Brunson stated during the celebration of World Population Day and the launch of the 2024 State of the World Population Report at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. The event was themed, “Embracing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all.”
Brunson emphasized that the ARREST Agenda aims to tackle poverty across all its dimensions, representing a transparent and consultative development process. The agenda reflects the government’s strong commitment to bottom-up democratic participation, allowing diverse groups, including youth, women and girls, and persons with disabilities, to have their perspectives considered in national priority setting.
“This development agenda will be built on six solid pillars: Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Health, and Tourism,” Brunson noted. “These pillars are crucial for achieving macro-economic success and driving the much-needed transformation of our economy.”
In addition to discussing the ARREST Agenda, Brunson spoke on the timely launch of the 2024 State of the World Population Report, emphasizing the importance of integrating population dynamics into ongoing planning processes. She highlighted the recent census, which provides the government with up-to-date data on the state, structure, and dynamics of Liberia’s population.
Brunson also praised the efforts of the LISGIS Team and the United Nations Population Fund’s technical experts for their dedication in collecting and analyzing the data despite numerous challenges. She extended gratitude to donor partners, including the World Bank, Sweden, Ireland, USAID, ECOWAS, the Republic of Ghana, and the UN Country Team, for their unwavering support of the census project.
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