By Augustine Octavius
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has ended a one-day round table discussion with a cross-section of religious leaders and representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) on the significance of the “pro-poor” agenda
Speaking at the start of the forum, the Assistant Finance Minister for Development Planning, Benedict Kolubah disclosed that religious communities and CSOs are key partners of the government on development plans.
He added that these organizations and CSOs represent the spectrum of the Liberian society and as such their contributions are very important to the development of the government’s pro-poor agenda
“Our religious leaders’ opinions will go a long way in the contribution to this agenda,” the Minister said.
“With support from the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), we are working together with the CSOs to ensure that we all form part of this important document,” the Assistant Finance Minister added.
“These religious leaders are running schools, hospitals and control some segments of the society,” Minister Kolubah explained.
“We have reached to the stake holders both in government and developmental partners and even our traditional leaders will not be left out.”
According to Minister Kolubah, the primary reason is that there is disparity in development so we will reach to the rural and urban corners of this country to get the people’s input
The forum, which was financed by UNICEF, brought together a cross session of the religious community including Christians, Muslims women and youth groups.