Accra, Ghana – April 10, 2025: The Head of Liberia’s Public Procurement and Concessions Commission-PPCC, Mr. Bodger Scott Johnson, has attributed worsening economic instability in Africa to the stringent conditions often imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when providing loans to developing countries.
Speaking during a presentation at a high-level seminar organized by the IMF Legal Department and AFRITAC West 2 in Accra, Ghana, Mr. Johnson emphasized that such conditionalities contribute to long-term dependency, hinder sustainable development, and intensify hardship for vulnerable populations across Africa and other developing nations.
Citing Liberia’s wage harmonization program as a case in point, the PPCC Boss noted the adverse impact of IMF-imposed conditions. He pointed out discrepancies in IMF loan requirements between continents, highlighting that while Asian countries are often instructed to increase taxes and reduce spending, African nations are typically mandated to harmonize wages, a policy that has resulted in significant financial strain and increased poverty in affected countries.
Drawing from his experience leading Liberia’s Public Procurement Reform Agenda, Mr. Johnson also showcased the country’s strides in modernizing its public procurement systems. He detailed the ongoing rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System, which has been configured, tested, and launched in six public sector institutions, with plans to expand to an additional 50 institutions through World Bank support.
“The e-GP System is a game-changer for public procurement in Liberia,” he said. “It is designed to promote transparency, increase efficiency and effectiveness, and restore public confidence in the procurement process, ultimately ensuring the best value for public resources.”
The three-day seminar, held from April 8–10, brought together participants from various countries and sectors to promote governance improvements and address macro-critical corruption vulnerabilities. Delegates shared success stories and experiences while exploring practical approaches to strengthening the rule of law and enhancing institutional integrity.
