Monrovia, Liberia - The United States Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) announced on Friday that Liberia is now eligible for the MCC’s “Threshold Program”.  Threshold programs are designed to assist countries to improve a low score on one (or more) of the 17 selection indicators so that they can later gain full compact eligibility. The MCC Threshold Program provides the Government of Liberia access to small grants that aim to improve performance in key sectors, particularly the control of corruption efforts.

Planning and Economic Affairs Minister, Amara Konneh, responded to the announcement stating “the designation of Liberia as Threshold eligible is a formal recognition of Liberia’s transformation from a post-conflict country, to an emerging democracy. Our goal is to get full Compact designation in two years, which could make available a bigger grant for infrastructure development over a five year period.  Graduating from Threshold Status to Compact is no free ride! ” 

Since arriving at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, Minister Konneh has worked assiduously to develop local capacity to track the raw data of the government’s progress in poverty reduction.  This statistical capability has been essential to demonstrating Liberia’s ability to absorb a MCC Threshold program.  The Ministry looks forward to enhancing its capacity in partnership with the Civil Service Agency, USAID, other development partners, and the MCC in order to help accelerate Liberia’s movement from Threshold to full Compact status in two years.
 
Over the next several months the Government of Liberia, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the MCC will work together to develop a proposal that will bring significant new resources aimed at improving Government of Liberia's ability to govern more effectively.

President Sirleaf and her government recognize that corruption remains a challenge and an obstacle to Liberia's development. The steps that have been taken recently to address this problem move Liberia in the right direction. More remains to be done.

The MCC emphasizes accountability and measurable results, and requires countries to establish clear benchmarks for progress.  The Ministry of Planning is prepared to do that.  In a press conference to announce Liberia’s eligibility, Minister Konneh said “we will target the Threshold program towards improving transparency, fighting corruption, and strengthening our justice system.”

The MCC Board uses 17 indicators to measure countries’ commitment to promote political and economic freedom, investment in education and health care, control corruption, and respect civil liberties and the rule of law.  In his official announcement on Friday, Ambassador Danilovich, the head of the MCC, noted that “the past few years have shown strong evidence of Liberia’s commitment to reforms that will foster economic growth and poverty reduction. The Board took note of the strong evidence of Liberia’s commitment to reforms that will foster economic growth and poverty reduction.”