Why not spend money on roads or housing or schools or clinics? Why spend the money on international financial advisors?

GEMAP focused on rebuilding financial systems so that more money is available to spend on schools, clinics and other government services. Previously, much of the money that was supposed to go to the government was diverted into private pockets. With GEMAP, this risk is reduced, and more money will be available for the government to spend on development projects. GEMAP can't build roads or hospitals or get you a job, but it can improve the economic management of the country. This will provide the government more money to build facilities, and will improve the investment climate so businesses are attracted to Liberia.

What are the components of GEMAP?

There are six components of GEMAP:

1. Securing Liberia’s Revenue Base: Protecting the funds flowing into the government from key revenue-generating institutions, as well as customs, fees, and taxes, by establishing transparent systems, building capacity, and reinforcing transparency with international oversight.

2. Improving Budgeting and Expenditure Management: Strengthening transparent budgeting and financial management of Liberian government spending by building capacity, putting strong systems in place, and making information on the budget and spending publicly available.

3. Improving Procurement Practices and Granting of Concessions: Unlike in the past, the Liberian government is ensuring that all government procurement, concessions, contracts, and licensing are done openly, transparently, and according to international standards, so that the Liberian people get the best value for their money.

4. Establishing Processes to Control Corruption: The Liberian government and international partners will put in place mechanisms to detect, stop, and when necessary prosecute corruption in government and state-owned enterprises.

5. Supporting Key Institutions of Government: Institutions key to accountable government and good financial management, such as the General Auditing Commission (GAC,) General Services Agency (GSA), Governance Reform Commission (GRC), and Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) will be strengthened through international assistance.

6. Capacity Building: Perhaps most importantly, GEMAP will build capacity of Liberian institutions and professionals to make good governance reforms permanent. It also provides journalists, civil society, and citizens the financial information they need to monitor the government and hold it accountable.