Liberia signs CAADP Compact
By Komla Bissi
Monrovia, 16 October 2009 — On the 16th of October 2009, Liberia became the 8th African country to sign the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Compact after a successful roundtable conference culminating in the endorsement of the Liberia’s CAADP compact.
Representatives from ECOWAS, FARA, NEPAD and the Liberian Government at the CAADP Roundtables in Monrovia, Liberia
The roundtable meeting which was held on the 15th and 16th October in Monrovia was attended by more than 300 participants made up of senior Government officials of the Republic of Liberia, representatives of the various ministries responsible for agriculture and rural development, agricultural experts, policymakers, representatives from farmer organizations, the private sector, development associations and Non-Governmental Organizations; representatives of the African Union (AU) / New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and development partners.
The CAADP roundtable that was organised by the Government of Liberia is a sector wide meeting that was used to reach consensus among key stakeholders on Liberia’s agricultural development agenda and to forge the necessary partnerships to implement it, and secure mutual commitments and resources from partners to make the necessary investments.
Liberia’s Compact was signed on behalf of the Government of Liberia by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Dr Florence A Chenoweth. Other signatories to the Compact included a representative of the AU/NEPAD, ECOWAS, and a representative of the development partners, a representative of the private sector, civil society organizations and farmer organizations.
In his opening remarks, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E Joseph N. Boakai noted that the CAADP principles of being an African-led initiative that is intended to end hunger and poverty through Agriculture led growth are consistent with the national agriculture development strategy of Liberia.
He also acknowledged the continuous support of the donor partners and relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector of the nation that went through a decade-long of civil conflict. “We are indeed glad as a people and nation of some significant improvement in the agriculture sector of the country owing to the many supports and partnerships over the years” the Vice President declared.
The Senior Liberia Government Official further commended the AU/ NEPAD and ECOWAS in their involvement in several agriculture initiatives in the country over the years.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Agriculture Dr Florence Chenoweth urged the participants of the Liberia CAADP Roundtable conference to deliberate with frankness and come out with workable programs that would also enhance the growth and development of the nation.
Speaking on behalf of NEPAD, Mr. Komla Bissi, NEPAD Agriculture Advisor, who made the opening remarks on behalf of the secretariat of NEPAD, urged all Liberian and stakeholders in the agriculture sector to work as a team in order to boost the growth and development of agriculture for the benefit of their people.
