Monrovia – Dr. Joseph Mills Jones, standard bearer for the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) received the prestigious Golden Image Award for Economic Empowerment of Liberians last Thursday night at the National Golden Image Award Annual Program organized by the National Golden Image Award Secretariat and the Liberia Crusaders for Peace headed by Ambassador Julie Endee.
The Award was presented to Dr. Jones by Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai on behalf of the National Golden Image Award Secretariat in recognition of the leadership role of Dr. Jones in empowering Liberians, including market women, petty traders, yana boys and girls, pen-pen riders and owners, tailor unions, drivers’ union, women of the Village Saving Loans and Association, students, youths, Liberian Business Association, credit unions and other Liberian owned businesses throughout the Country.
Dr. Jones received an overwhelming applauds and standing ovation from the audience while receiving the award.
“This national award is a proof of general and widespread support for the leadership and visionary role of Dr. Jones in developing and implementing a financial inclusion policy for Liberia.
“This Award puts to rest the few critics, mainly within the circle of the Government of Liberia who have failed to appreciate the innovative thinking and vision of Dr. Jones in trying to lift the Liberian people out of poverty,” MOVEE, vice chairman for press and propaganda, Robert Sammie told reporters.
It can be recalled that while serving as Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Dr. Jones initiated several economic policies to transform and stabilize the Liberian economy, including the financial inclusion policy that helped to lift many Liberians out of poverty.
Dr. Jones, among other things is credited for promoting the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program that has women as predominant members who call him the “Poverty Doctor”.
As one of the activities marking the 170th independent celebration of Liberia, the 2017 National Golden Image Award was graced by several dignitaries, including President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Christine Elder, as well as the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and the ECOWAS Ambassador.
Political pundits believe that offering Dr. Jones, the prestigious National Golden Image Award for Economic Empowerment of Liberians is a boost for his presidential bid.
“This award is a validation of Dr. Jones’ vision to lift Liberians out of poverty to make them prime actors in the Liberian Economy”, an observer said.
“No one can deny that fact, because the occasion at which the Award was given to Dr. Jones was sanctioned by the Government of Liberia as one of the activities marking the celebration of the170th independence of Liberia; and moreover, it was in honor of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is the face of the National Golden Image Award”, Sammie further indicated.
The National Golden Image Award was organized seven years ago by the Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador Julie Endee and the Liberia Crusaders for Peace to recognize people who have contributed immensely to development of the human society nationally and internationally.
This year award program was held at the Monrovia City Hall recently.