–Government, Development Partners and Colleagues Praise Departing Deputy Minister’s Economic Leadership and Service
MONROVIA — The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has bid farewell to Deputy Minister for Economic Management Dehpue Yanpea Zuo, with senior government officials, lawmakers and Liberia’s international development partners gathering to celebrate his years of public service and his elevation to a regional position at the ECOWAS Commission.
The farewell ceremony brought together officials and representatives from across government, the diplomatic community, development partners and Zuo’s family, with speakers repeatedly describing his departure as both an emotional loss for Liberia’s economic management team and an important opportunity for the country to project its expertise and leadership at the regional level.
Zuo is preparing to leave for Abuja, Nigeria, to serve as Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at the ECOWAS Commission.
The ceremony reflected both the personal and professional dimensions of his public service career.
Development Partners Praise Zuo
Representatives of major development institutions praised Zuo for his role in Liberia’s economic reform and development programs.
A representative of the International Monetary Fund described Zuo as an exceptional counterpart in Liberia’s engagement with the Fund and credited his contribution to the progress achieved under the country’s IMF-supported programs.
The representative highlighted three qualities that stood out during their work with Zuo: his commitment to Liberia, his diplomatic ability and his determination to pursue reforms.
“Deputy Minister Zuo is a true public servant of Liberia… he is a diplomat… and number three, Deputy Minister Zuo is a reformer.”
The IMF representative also linked Zuo’s contribution to the macroeconomic stability being experienced in Liberia, saying his work had been a significant part of the progress made through collaboration between the Liberian government and the Fund.
The World Bank representative similarly praised Zuo for being accessible, solution-oriented and consistently prepared to engage on difficult issues.
The representative recalled working with him through late-night negotiations and portfolio discussions and said Zuo was always willing to find solutions regardless of how difficult the discussions became.
Central Bank Highlights Economic Coordination
The Central Bank of Liberia also used the occasion to recognize Zuo’s contribution to coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank.
A representative of the Central Bank said Zuo had played an important role in strengthening the institutional link between the two institutions.
“If there is any link between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, he has made a very, very key link between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Liberia.”
The representative pointed to improvements in several key macroeconomic indicators, including economic growth, inflation and exchange-rate stability, while acknowledging the collaborative work between the Finance Ministry and Central Bank.
The Central Bank said Zuo had earned the respect and admiration of colleagues because of his dedication, commitment and demonstrated love for Liberia’s progress.
‘A Co-Creator’ at the United Nations
The United Nations also paid tribute to Zuo, describing him as more than simply a development partner.
A UN representative said Zuo had been a “co-creator” in development discussions, bringing both practical solutions and passion whenever Liberia’s development financing and national interests were discussed.
“For the past years, you have not just been a partner, you have been a co-creator.”
The UN representative encouraged Zuo to serve with distinction and integrity in his new regional role.
African Development Bank, EU Also Applaud
The African Development Bank joined the chorus of appreciation, emphasizing Zuo’s contribution to Liberia’s development agenda and particularly to efforts surrounding domestic resource mobilization.
The Bank said Zuo’s departure comes at a time when Liberia’s resource mobilization efforts are gaining momentum, but expressed confidence that his ECOWAS assignment would provide opportunities for continued regional cooperation.
The European Union also commended Zuo’s leadership, attention to detail and commitment to Liberia’s development.
The EU representative praised what was described as his determination to push issues forward and his consistent engagement with development partners.
Colleagues Recall More Than Technical Expertise
The farewell was not limited to Zuo’s economic achievements.
Several speakers highlighted his personal qualities, including his willingness to mentor others, identify opportunities for Liberians and help colleagues pursue educational and professional opportunities.
One speaker recalled that Zuo had a reputation for finding opportunities for others and sharing information about scholarships and other avenues for advancement.
Other speakers recalled working with Zuo over decades, including during Liberia’s post-war reconstruction period and the Ebola crisis.
One account credited him with helping coordinate international support during the Ebola response, including efforts to mobilize external resources and strengthen logistics for the national response.
Economic Gains Cited at Farewell
The ceremony also featured claims about Liberia’s recent revenue performance.
According to remarks delivered during the ceremony, domestic revenue, which was cited at approximately US$612 million in 2023, is expected to exceed US$1.2 billion this year, representing roughly a doubling in three years.
Zuo’s team was identified as one of the contributors to the broader effort, particularly through economic analysis and coordination of external resources.
The speaker said Liberia is also expected to cross the US$1 billion domestic revenue threshold sometime in September, while the longer-term target is to reach US$2 billion.
These figures were presented as evidence of the broader economic and fiscal work undertaken by technicians within the Ministry of Finance, including Zuo.
‘Not a Loss for Liberia’
While colleagues acknowledged that Zuo’s departure would leave a significant gap at the Finance Ministry, speakers repeatedly framed the appointment as an achievement for Liberia rather than simply a loss for the government.
Ngafuan described the appointment as recognition of the quality of Liberian leadership and the contribution Liberians can make to West Africa and the wider international community.
That sentiment was echoed throughout the ceremony, with speakers expressing confidence that Zuo would use his new ECOWAS position to continue advocating for Liberia while contributing to regional economic integration, agriculture, trade and development.
The farewell therefore ended on a note of celebration rather than finality: a senior Liberian economic official is leaving a demanding national assignment for an even broader regional responsibility.
For the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Zuo leaves behind what colleagues described as a record of professionalism, intellectual rigor, collaboration and public service.
And for Liberia, his move to ECOWAS represents an opportunity to place one of its experienced economic voices at the center of regional policy discussions.
For more breaking news, exclusive reports and in-depth coverage of Liberia, follow The Liberian Post on Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576017166570) and X, formerly twitter (https://x.com/LiberianPost).
