Monrovia – President George Mannah Weah has disclosed plans by his administration to initiates two policy frameworks to enhance agriculture productivity and education growth among members of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Speaking Tuesday, February 11, during the celebration of Armed Forces Day in Monrovia, President Weah said the development of these policies by the army, will serve as a driving force for collective efforts in enhancing agricultural productivity and economic transformation.
“I therefore hereby instruct the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff of the AFL to begin the immediate development of a policy framework for the reactivation of the Armed Forces Agriculture Company. This should also include the identification and assessment of all lands belonging to the Armed Forces of Liberia, that are arable and feasible for agriculture productivity,” President Weah instructed.
This, according to him, will buttress efforts in finding solutions to some problems faced by members of the army.
He also stated that the welfare of the troop remains a priority, which his administration sees as a duty and obligation, thus committing himself to ensure that children of military families receive quality education.
In view of this, President Weah has ordered the immediate renovation of all school within the military barracks and the development of necessary plans to consolidate these schools under one umbrella.
“I hereby direct the Minister of National Defense in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to work out modalities for the immediate renovation of all schools within our military barracks and to consolidate these schools under a single district named “Armed Forces of Liberia School District.”
Under this arrangement, President Weah continued, qualified administrators and instructors will be provided and supervised by the Ministry of Defense and monitored by the Ministry of Education.
He furthered that government stands ready to continue the engagement with its bilateral partners to support efforts of revitalization of the new Agriculture Company and the consolidation of military schools.
“I hereby direct the Minister of National Defense in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to work out modalities for the immediate renovation of all schools within our military barracks and to consolidate these schools under a single district named “Armed Forces of Liberia School District.”
– President George Weah
Already, according to him, government has begun responding to some plights put forward by the AFL, among which include the renovation of barracks and the construction of the 14 Military Hospital, which is “95 percent completed.”
Moreover, Weah said his leadership is elated over the versatility of the Armed Forces and the diversity of skill sets as well as capabilities of its member, pledging support in ensuring that the army remains an effective force.
“Through the Army Corps of Engineers, they have participated in civil works of all kinds, including the construction of their own barracks, as well as the 14 Military Hospital,” President Weah explained.
“They have launched massive clean-up campaign across the length and breadth of our country and they are now going to be actively involved in our agriculture programs.”
At the same time, he maintained that the theme of the 63rd Armed Forces Day, “Strategies to Incorporate More Females in the Security Sectors, AFL in Perspective,” falls in line with his government’s agenda to empower women.
Weah admitted that female representation in both public and private sectors of Liberia is low, with the AFL being no exception.
However, he attributed this condition to global situation where women’s representation in government and private sector is also low.
He stated: “As Liberia’s ‘Feminist-in-Chief,’ I have set my government on an irreversible path to break this glass ceiling. We have made more appointments of women in government than ever before, including the first Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFL and promise to do more in the coming years.”
President Weah then recognized efforts of international and regional partners in helping to bring the AFL to its current state.