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Dec 9, 2025
Liberia: Finance Minister Ngafuan Pledges Stronger Support for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B Response At World Aids Day Program
Liberia: Finance Minister Ngafuan Pledges Stronger Support for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B Response At World Aids Day Program
allAfrica
Capitol Hill -- Liberia's Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, on Monday reaffirmed the government's commitment to intensifying the national response to HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis B, even as rising debt servicing costs continue to exert heavy pressure on the national budget.
Minister Ngafuan delivered the remarks during programs commemorating World AIDS Day at the Capitol Building, where he said the government has maintained budgetary support for the HIV response despite fiscal shocks earlier in the year.
"We have some allocation in the budget for the fight against AIDS. We will continue to work to do more," he said. He noted that the health, education and agriculture sectors were among those hit hardest by early-year disruptions, but stressed that the administration "is not resting" and is "working through the nail" to keep essential programs moving.
Minister Ngafuan said the progress seen so far is evidence that ongoing reform efforts are yielding results. "Good news is on the way," he assured.
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Debt Service 'Galloping' and Competing With Essential Sectors
The Finance Minister used the platform to highlight Liberia's growing debt burden, which he described as rapidly increasing and now competing directly with priority social sectors.
He revealed that in the government's over US$1 billion national budget, the combined allocation for health and education is US$233 million, while debt service alone accounts for US$210 million.
"One thing that has increased materially is our debt service burden. It's increasing, it's galloping," Minister Ngafuan asserted. He reminded the audience that under the Public Financial Management Law, debt service is the first claim on government revenue.
"If government does not pay its debt, the banking system will be challenged and we will cause instability," he explained. He warned that non-payment could also trigger sanctions from int
