New York, USA – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been recognized and honored as a ‘Global Goalkeeper’ at the Global Goals Awards Ceremony hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in New York.
According to a dispatch from New York, USA, President Sirleaf on September 19, 2017 received the award of Global Goalkeepers, which is granted and awarded to individuals dedicated to accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Global Goalkeepers will raise awareness of the stories and the data behind the goals, hold their leaders accountable and drive investment and actions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking at the Award Ceremony, President Sirleaf described the initiative as awesome and reflected on the long journey and efforts that led to the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the new set of global goals that replaced the Millennium Development Goals.
President Sirleaf recounted Liberia’s personal sojourn ranging from the coup d’état to the civil war and to the Ebola crisis which led to the complete devastation and destruction of the nationhood of the Liberian state.
She recalled the suffering endued mainly by the women and children of Liberia and efforts made thus far by her government to address the shortcomings of Liberia and improve the living standards of the Liberian people.
President Sirleaf pointed out that Liberia has come a long way, recognizing that the resilience of the Liberian people remains key to reviving the country from the ashes of war to a new era of peace, security, development and progress.
She also told the gathering that the women of Liberia have come a long way in social, economic and political advancement, noting that over one hundred and sixty-four (164) women are contesting for legislative seats in the 2017 Representatives and Presidential Elections.
“I acknowledge that Liberia in particular and the African continent in general were involved with the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“I recalled that I was one of three Co-Chairpersons who led the efforts aimed at addressing poverty, inequality, hunger, insecurity, among others and will remain committed to the full implementation of the 17 goals of the SDGs”, the Liberian leader pointed.
“In Liberia, we have come a long way. The past is behind and we can now move forward and claim the new future for generations to come”, she concluded.”
“Five others, mostly young people received various levels of awards including “Leave no one behind Award; Innovation Award; Healthy not hungry Award; Leadership Award; and Young Goalkeeper Award.