Liberia: Amara Konneh Outlines Top Legislative Priorities

Gbarpolu County Senator Amara M. Konneh has outlined several key legislative priorities that he intends to pursue at the House of Senate that would help better the lives of Liberians on the national level and at the constituency level.

Upon taking the oath of office on Monday, January 15, Konneh said that Liberians’ expectations, especially those of the citizens of Gbarpolu, for improved living conditions, better governance and a brighter future, are now his primary responsibility and he would do all in his power to live up to the confidence and trust that have been reposed in him.

“My focus intensifies on the people of Gbarpolu County, who have placed their trust and aspirations in my hands. Your expectations for improved living conditions, better governance, and a brighter future are now my primary responsibility,” Konneh said. “I am committed to diligently working with the Gbarpolu legislative caucus and other members of the Liberian Senate to bring about the change and development we all yearn for.”

In an effort to bring his promises to fruition, Konneh, a former Finance Minister, outlined five top national legislative priorities that he will be championing, including accountable and open government, drug law enforcement, the empowerment of Liberian businesses, political and fiscal decentralization, and enhancement of the justice system.

On the issue of an accountable and open government, Konneh said that that will come with efficient public budgeting and expenditures for better service delivery to the people. “This is a continuation of the work I did in government to enhance fiscal governance at MFDP,” he said.

He added that drug enforcement and rehabilitation are necessary to save Liberia’s future, as the country risks losing the next generation if we do nothing to protect them.

“Empower Liberian businesses by enforcing the quota requiring the government to procure 40% of its goods and services from Liberian-owned businesses through legislation. The government must lead the Buy Liberia agenda,” he said. “The setting up of County Consolidated Accounts and election of local mayors or superintendents will hand power back to the people and create more seats at the table for women, the youth, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.”

He noted that the enhancement of the justice system to ensure the protection of women, children, and other vulnerable citizens from violence and marginalization is paramount.

On the constituency level, the Gbarpolu County Senator outlined seven top priorities: education, health, agriculture, mining and forestry, and road connectivity. Others are electricity, internet and digital financial inclusion.

“We will work toward improving access to quality education in all districts, prioritizing infrastructure rehabilitation, teacher training and instruction, and implement scholarship and incentive programs to encourage academic excellence with a gender lens,” Konneh said. “We will also work to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services in all of Gbarpolu’s six administrative districts leveraging the opportunities of the newly constructed Emirates Hospital to serve Western Liberia – Bomi, Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu Counties.”

Konneh also intends to work to ensure increased awareness and access to preventive healthcare measures, emphasizing community health education, and in doing so will develop a robust emergency response system for timely healthcare intervention, especially the safe delivery of babies. “Foster partnerships with non-profit organizations to address specific health challenges,” he added.

On the issue of agriculture, his office will promote and leverage opportunities in smallholder farming by identifying subsidies for farmers and other support, including access to technology. “We will launch the 1 million cocoa plants program to make Gbarpolu a major cocoa producer to help alleviate poverty in the county.”

Konneh wants to ensure that the current mining concessions operating in the Western Liberia Cluster, including Bao-Chico, fulfill their commitments to the people and country, and develop responsible mining and forestry practices, adhering to environmental regulations.

“I will advocate for increasing the County Development Fund to US$1 million and together with the Social Development Fund financed by mining and forestry companies operating in the county, improve road connectivity within and between districts, emphasizing infrastructure maintenance and markets to boost commerce and agriculture productivity,” he said. He will also facilitate the establishment of weekly markets to boost local economies, providing necessary infrastructure and support.

“We will ensure Gbarpolu County is connected to the national electricity hub and we will also explore renewable energy sources for sustainable power solutions, such as solar. “We intend to harness the opportunities in the West African Power Pool electrification project.”

As it relates to internet and digital financial inclusion, the expansion of mobile and internet connectivity to bridge the national digital divide, focusing on remote and marginalized communities, will be a top priority. “We will promote mobile money services for farmers to enhance transactions transaction with urban buyers.”

For these to be achieved, Konneh said legislative caucuses from the western region need to collaborate.

“I know I am not alone in the belief that these are matters claiming our national attention. And I believe in a collaborative and regional approach to development. This is why I advocate for strengthening a Western Region Legislative Caucus, enabling the counties within the region to unite in our development endeavors,” he said. “By working together, we can ensure that our collective efforts bring greater benefits than if we were to proceed individually.

Konneh said his dedication to good governance, the rule of law, and inclusive development extends beyond the borders of Gbarpolu County, and as such he is committed to a stable economy that generates the resources to support national development initiatives and ensure equitable progress across the country.

“My experience has prepared me to be a collaborative and effective member of the Senate, and I eagerly anticipate building strong and productive relationships within this August body. These relationships will be pivotal in advancing the welfare of not only the people of Gbarpolu County but of all Liberians,” he said.

He looked forward to working with colleagues in the Executive branch, maintaining open lines of communication, consultation, and collaboration.

“Together, we share a unified goal — the betterment of our people and our nation. I am more confident than ever in President-elect Joseph N. Boakai’s vision for Liberia, and I pledge my support, in every way possible, to the realization of this vision,” he said.

He lauded his colleagues in the Senate for electing him as chairman of the Public Accounts and Audits Committee. “We will ensure every nickel, dime, and dollar of public money is accounted for. As I embark on this new journey in my storied career, I assure each of you, my fellow citizens, of my unwavering commitment to transparent, accountable, responsive, and responsible governance.”