What is GEMAP?

GEMAP is a partnership between the Liberian government, the international community, and the Liberian people, designed to help the government manage better, govern better, and build peace. Specifically, through the GEMAP framework Liberian institutions and international partners are putting systems in place to ensure that the funds from Liberia’s institutions and natural resources flow into the government, that the government manages those funds well and transparently, and spends them effectively on rebuilding the country. Simply put, GEMAP is part of the process of building good economic governance in Liberia.

What is good economic governance?

Good economic governance is the competent management of a country’s resources and affairs in a manner that is open, transparent, accountable, equitable, and responsive to people’s needs. Good economic governance is critical to development and economic growth. As part of a system of good governance, citizens must monitor the activities of the government and demand transparency and accountability from its institutions and leaders.

Who controls GEMAP?

The Economic Governance Steering Committee (EGSC), which guides GEMAP’s implementation and is chaired by the President, has three groups at the table: the Liberian government, representatives of international partners, and Liberian civil society.

How is GEMAP being implemented?

Throughout each of these key Liberian institutions, internationally-recruited experts are working with Liberian leadership to establish transparent financial management systems, train and build capacity of Liberian staff, and report openly on their operations, revenue and spending. While these systems are being put in place, they will also have co-signing authority so that no major transactions take place without being examined by both a Liberian manager and an international expert. So far, GEMAP advisors have served in the following institutions:

• Ministry of Finance (MOF) Cash Management Committee (CMCo)
• Central Bank of Liberia (CBL)
• Bureau of Budget (BOB)
• Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy (MLME)
• National Port Authority (NPA)
• Roberts International Airport (RIA)
• Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation (LPRC)
• Forestry Development Agency (FDA)
• General Services Agency (GSA)
• General Accounting Commission (GAC)
• Governance Commission (GC)
• Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC)
• Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI Secretariat)