COLED Public Finance Cluster
Driving Fiscal Sustainability, Accountability, and Economic Transformation in Liberia
About the Public Finance Cluster
The Public Finance Cluster is one of the core technical clusters of the Council of Liberian Experts in the Diaspora (COLED). It serves as the central hub for professionals in:
- Public Finance & Fiscal Policy
- Economics & Econometrics
- Accounting & Auditing
- Public Policy & Governance
- Budgeting & Public Financial Management (PFM)
- Tax Policy & Tax Administration
- Public Sector Procurement & Expenditure Management
- Debt Management & Macroeconomic Forecasting
Our Vision
To contribute to building a Liberia where public resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and strategically to drive sustained economic growth, reduce inequality, strengthen fiscal stability, and improve the well-being of all citizens.
Our Mission
To leverage the expertise of Liberian professionals in the diaspora to strengthen public finance systems, promote evidence-based policymaking, and support fiscal reforms that ensure long-term financial stability, foster economic justice, and expand shared prosperity throughout Liberia.
Our Mandate
The Public Finance Cluster supports Liberia, its State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and civil society organizations by providing high-quality research, actionable policy recommendations, and technical advisory services aimed at improving:
- Fiscal discipline
- Transparency and accountability
- Revenue mobilization
- Budget credibility
- Public expenditure efficiency
- Financial reporting and auditing
- Debt sustainability
- SOE financial governance
- Public sector performance
What We Do
- Policy Advisory & Technical Assistance
- Research & Policy Papers
- Capacity Strengthening
- Peer Review Platform
- Engagement With Development Partners
Who We Serve
Liberia, SOEs, Legislature committees, Central Bank of Liberia, local governments, civil society, and development partners.
Get Involved
To join the Public Finance Cluster or request technical support: membership.coledinc@gmail.com
Chairperson:
George P. Gonpu, Ph.D., MA, BSc
Chairman
Dr. George P. Gonpu
Dr. George P. Gonpu is a distinguished economist specializing in macroeconomic policy, development economics, and the design of fiscal, monetary, and financial sector frameworks in small, open, and developing economies. With over two decades of experience across academia, government, and applied economic research, he brings a rigorous analytical approach combined with practical policy insight to advisory, consulting, and public sector engagements.
He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where his dissertation focused on Aggregate Demand Fluctuation and the Output-Inflation Tradeoff. He also earned a Master of Arts in Applied Economics from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics (Summa Cum Laude) with a minor in Political Science from the University of Liberia. In recognition of his academic excellence, he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma.
Dr. Gonpu currently serves as Professor of Economics at the Anisfield School of Business at Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he teaches macroeconomics, economic development, econometrics, and quantitative methods. His teaching is grounded in real-world policy experience and is focused on addressing structural and macroeconomic challenges facing developing economies.
He previously served as Deputy Minister of Finance for Budget in Liberia, where he played a central role in national budget formulation, fiscal policy coordination, and expenditure management. In this capacity, he worked at the core of economic policymaking, addressing issues related to fiscal discipline, macroeconomic stability, and efficient resource allocation in a low-income, highly open economy. Earlier in his career, he served in the Ministry of Public Works and as a Procurement Supervisor at the Liberian Electricity Corporation, gaining valuable experience in public administration and the energy sector. He has also worked as a consultant and economic analyst in the telecommunications sector in the United States.
Dr. Gonpu’s research focuses on macroeconomic stabilization, economic growth, and the interaction between fiscal, monetary, and external sector dynamics in developing countries. His work examines exchange rate movements, commodity price fluctuations, financial crises, and remittance flows, with particular emphasis on Liberia and comparable economies. His publications include studies on governance and financial crises in Liberia, the impact of remittances on economic growth, and the role of fiscal policy in developing economies. He has presented his research at numerous peer-reviewed conferences on topics such as exchange rate dynamics, oil and food price shocks, and export commodity pricing.
In addition to his academic and policy work, Dr. Gonpu has taught at several institutions in the United States and internationally, including Hunter College (City University of New York), Rutgers University, Manhattan College, Cleveland State University, Grand Valley State University, and the University of Liberia. His teaching portfolio spans econometrics, finance and investment, money and banking, macroeconomics, development economics, and management statistics at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
He also possesses strong technical expertise in applied econometrics and data analysis, with proficiency in SAS, Stata, and Microsoft Excel. His advisory work extends to financial sector development and inclusive finance, where he focuses on expanding access to capital, strengthening financial intermediation, promoting microcredit and small business financing systems, and supporting youth entrepreneurship and job creation.
Beyond his professional work, Dr. Gonpu is actively engaged in civil society and leadership initiatives. He has served as President of the Organization of Liberian Community Illinois, President of the Liberian Studies Association, and founder of the African Democratic Movement of Liberia. In 2025, he was a candidate in the senatorial by-election in Liberia, reflecting his continued commitment to public service, governance, and democratic development.
Dr. Gonpu is widely recognized for his analytical rigor, policy expertise, and enduring commitment to advancing economic development and sound governance in Liberia and beyond.
