Liberia: 2024 Nat’l Budget Criticized as “Worst Cancer”

The Founder of the Alliance for Transitional Justice in Liberia (ATJL), Mr. Jeremiah S. Swen, has strongly criticized the proposed national fiscal budget for 2024, describing it as the “worst cancer” far beyond the atrocities of the country’s civil war.

According to Swen, the Ministry of Finance Development Planning (MFDP) which provided leadership for this exercise and was constitutionally empowered to manage “our state finances, chose to exploit our nation and deployed insurrection against the national security architecture and future of this nation.”

Swen, whose statement was contained in a speech delivered to participants during the closing of the International Women’s Month celebration held under the auspices of  Youth United for Sustainable Development, voiced concerns over what he perceives as skewed priorities and misallocation of funds, particularly in key areas such as youth empowerment and development.

He said that to inspire inclusion, the Republic of Liberia is obligated to usher in robust policy-program initiatives tackling the alarming inequality and abuses faced by young girls and women, beginning with the reprioritization of national development and the fiscal budget, ensuring that the national budget is gender- and youth-sensitive and focused.

“Women and young girls’ self-awareness and self-led development in no way can absolutely upset the current daunting challenges that undercut their potential,” he stated.

According to him, the current drafted budget before the 55th Legislature must factor in a realistic and achievable fiscal allocation addressing the following: increasing fiscal allocation to the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, directly addressing the decentralization and functionality of the existing SGBV One Stop Center, providing budgetary support to women-led CSOs to expand awareness and education on SGBV, capacity building report gathering and preservation of evidence, and victims and survivors support programs (psychosocial counseling, treatment, community reintegration program, etc.). 

The Founder of the ATJL also disclosed an increase of 116.6%, which translates into US$172.9 million, thereby reflecting 16.6% of additional allocation to the MFDP. 

In contrast, Swen said, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with the constitutional obligation to cater to 75% of the nation’s population, received a proposed appropriation of US$2.9 million, in contrast to the US$6.4 million approved for the 2023 fiscal year.

He observed that the shift in national and international priorities through policies and programs for women and girls will become a state-led initiative if girls and women in this room fail to own and drive that change, adding, “Girls and young ladies demanding inclusion must first understand that without gender inclusion, development is not sustainable.”

“Today I stand with you, especially being fully aware of the unmeasurable social and economic challenges ranging from inequality, rape, sexual and gender-based violence, stereotypes, inadequate access to quality healthcare and education, the outburst of transnational crimes, and radicalization that each girl, child, and young lady have to confront each day,” he said. “These challenges are so huge, and coupled with the post-war unresolved atrocities, they have denied so many millions of girls and women the opportunity to achieve their goals, quality lives, and full potential. This is a cancer—a cancer supported by an unpatriotic, old, corrupt enterprise.” 

Swen stressed the need to thoroughly probe and audit the alleged US$129 million for debt servicing is urgently needed.

He, however, argued that the combined fiscally proposed allocations for 2024 by the Ministry of Finance for all programs, inclusive of federations, which address youth development, empowerment, sports, vocational education, the National Cadet Program, and the National Youth Service Program, amount to US$874,360.74. This is shameful and a well-calculated plot aimed at engendering the survival of Liberia.

He also pondered, “How can a nation that is more concerned about the security of her youth and the prosperity of the future allocate $4,000.00 for MVTC (technical education), $0 for the National Cadet Program, US$258 for the Table Tennis Federation, Amputee Federation, US$3,400, Youth Women and Children Advocacy, US$246.00, Liberia Scout and Guide Associations, US$538.00, etc.? The Minister of Finance and his deputies are the worst cancers and vultures, with the clear motive of destroying our republic. Julius Iscariots!”.

“Young people," he said, "you are assets and not liabilities. You are the brain trust, power stations, and most powerful resources of this nation. Liberia's emerging leaders are unprocessed gold that only requires adequate investment to shine like gold. You are not followers, but an inclusive part of this ongoing reform process and holistic development framework.”

According to him, there is no sustainable reconciliation and development when the process is not gender- and youth-led and focused.

Swen further suggested to the national government that to inspire sustainable inclusion, it is necessary that state actors timely implement the following: increase the direct budgetary subsidies to the national youth organizations, including the Federation of Liberian Youth, the Liberia Scout Association, the Liberia National Student Union, the Girl Guides Association, and Mano River Youth Parliament Liberia Chapters.  

He also said that the government should provide budgetary allocation for the management and decentralization of the National Cadet Program, the National Youth Service Program, and increase budgetary support to the Monrovia Vocational Technical College and national sports federations, among others. 

Swen, therefore, called on the National Legislature to reallocate $10 million of the US$23.6M excess fund of MFDP toward youth empowerment and development, fights against SGBV, drug proliferation and abuse, and early childhood programs.

“Young women, " he said, "I am fully aware that it is a tough request to ask you to love and be loyal to this nation when public officials are so devilish and only concerned with wider inequality and poverty.

“But let be warned that the moment you stop believing in and loving Liberia, it is the moment that the hope of this nation returning and even surpassing its pre-war status will become an illusion.”

He maintained, “Remember that there are many starters and many dreamers, but history will only record the few finishers. Be loyal to your vision, spend your time wisely, build a network, and never stop innovating new ideas. You are Liberia's greatest treasure.”

Swen in his inspiring inclusion told the young people that his statement isn’t a myth; it can be achieved, while encouraging them to believe in themselves, and together, with courage and self-dedication, this nation shall prevail.