The Director General of the Liberia Institute For Public Administration, Prof. Alexander B. Yonly, has vowed to increase capacity building in Liberia.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Prof. Yonly noted that, for Liberia to get on par with other countries around the world, Liberians need to focus more on capacity building.
The LIPA boss disclosed that in recent time LIPA introduced new programs, access to information and the rule of law, which are important to developing a democratic society, noting that they are partnering with the Carter Center.
Prof. Yonly said his administration has brought added skills to LIPA from the security and justice sectors, as well as gender mainstream, which are also important in contributing to Liberia’s day-to-day happenings in terms of manpower development.
He further said that the clarion call from the President of Liberia, Dr. George M. Weah, is more about building a capable state with manpower that have the skills, effectiveness and efficiency to perform.
He further said that, in doing this, LIPA is partnering with stakeholding Liberians to achieve those goals, which can make Liberia a better place and qualified in terms of area of specialty.
Prof. Yonly emphasized that the institution is not just Monrovia-based; they are also working with the Bassa Community College, the National Port Authority, ArcelorMittal and other partners, but most importantly their partnership is with USAID. He said USAID has enabled them to construct a state-of-the-art building in Margibi, that has been completed, and they are expecting transition in Margibi County under his leadership.
Yonly maintained that, though the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some setbacks in terms of dispensing capacity development, LIPA remains committed to its goals and objectives.
The LIPA boss disclosed that, prior to the COVID-19 surge, part of their contingent plan was to have an e-earning platform built under his administration, but when the pandemic came they decided to strengthen the process to have a more flexible learning platform for participants, as well as students, which helped to increase social distancing to avoid cases that should have arouse through face-to-face interaction at the institution.
Prof. Alex B. Yonly said, in terms of facilitation, Liberians dominate—about eighty-five to ninety percent are all Liberians who are well trained in their area of specialty. He said he is proud of how Liberians are taking ownership of their own.
He concluded by saying, “Since the institution was created in 1969 by the Act of Legislation to empower Liberians in terms of capacity building, LIPA has been focused in building the capacity of Liberians, and they are making more gains in their area.