Why is GEMAP limited to only a few Ministries and Public Corporations? Why not extend it everywhere?

GEMAP is focused on the public corporations and government entities that historically generated most of the government's revenue. Improvements to these entities should be able to produce the greatest and fastest increases in revenues. GEMAP is also focused on the government entities that manage how that money is spent. There is a need to improve financial management and build capacity in other government Ministries, Agencies and State Owned Enterprises, and this assistance will be pursued under more traditional technical assistance programs as part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Program (PRSP).

Why did the government agree to let international experts into the government?

GEMAP is a recognition that the financial management systems in Liberia were fundamentally broken, and even the best government would need considerable assistance to rebuild these systems and manage them responsibly. The Government recognizes that GEMAP advisors can help rebuild financial management systems and create confidence that Liberia is once again able to manage its financial affairs openly, honestly and in the best interests of the Liberian people. This will help attract investment and will give donors increased confidence to provide Liberia additional aid, increased trade links and debt relief. As an analogy, one can easily see the physical damage that Liberia suffered throughout the war. Roads are neglected, schools and clinics are damaged and there are limited services. These are all things one can see with their eyes. However, most people don’t realize that the financial management systems are broken as badly as the infrastructure. GEMAP experts are tasked with helping to repair that financial infrastructure so that Liberians can responsibly manage the people's money.

Does GEMAP mean that non-Liberians are running Liberian institutions? Is GEMAP a violation of GOL sovereignty?

Not at all. All institutions are still being headed by Liberian leaders, and operated by Liberian professionals. But internationally-recruited experts are in key institutions, both to work with the Liberians to build systems and capacity, and to assist Liberians do their jobs by providing another set of eyes to verify that all financial transactions are legitimate. GEMAP will help Liberia gain control over financial systems that were previously manipulated by individuals for their own profit. This will improve the ability of the government to control revenue generation and spending. International experts do have co-signing authority, and the international partners can advise the government through their participation in the EGSC, but the President of Liberia has ultimate decision-making authority, not a foreign expert or foreign government. GEMAP will ultimately enable Liberia more control over its affairs.

Does GEMAP imply that Liberians are dishonest?

No, however, fourteen years of war, chaos, and bad governance sapped Liberia of resources which could have been used to provide services to its people. GEMAP helps support the officials and citizens of Liberia who are dedicated to making the system work better, strengthening good governance, and using government funds to rebuild Liberia and improve the lives of Liberians.