Monrovia – Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has addressed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) conference on women and youth scheduled for September 12th to 14th, 2022 in Dar Es Salaam, the United Republic of Tanzania.

Speaking at the conference’s opening session, Madam Vice President called for the creation of the AfCFTA Secretariat for Gender Mainstreaming of women and youth, which will focus on the formulation of specific policies to enhance the empowerment of women and youth.

Madam Vice President, according to a dispatch, emphasized the compelling need for a hands-on approach and collaboration necessary to ensure the actualization and subsequent transformation of the lives of the largest segment of Africa’s population, the women and youth. 

The Liberian Vice President then commended the visionary decision of African leaders to collaborate and diversify economic acceleration through the intra- Africa trade.

She further argued that the success of AfCFTA will not be solely assessed on its impact on trade, but also, on how it has improved the development trajectory of the African continent relative to the empowerment of its women and youth. 

Vice President Howard-Taylor further intimated that the provision of affordable and accessible credit to women and youth, the removal of general stereotypes to engender micro-credit facilities, and the free movement of goods and persons across Africa are amongst the most critical issues required in drawing up the final resolution for the implementation of AfCFTA as it relates to women and youth.  

Madam Vice President also commended the adoption of AfCFTA which is the largest trade pact to take effect since the establishment of the World Trade Organization, covering more than a billion people across the African continent. 

While in Dar Es Salaam, Vice President Howard-Taylor held discussions with His Excellency  Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

The meeting was centered on exploring the possibilities of establishing an AfCFTA Secretariat in Liberia and the promotion of intra-Africa trade. 

The Vice President therefore committed to ensuring that the Liberian Legislature ratifies the AfCFTA. 

Madam Vice President concluded her engagements with a meeting with Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The two leaders agreed on the need to strengthen bilateral relations between both Nations and peoples.

The meeting also captured discussions on collaboration in the areas of mining, agriculture, and tourism. 

The United Republic of Tanzania gained independence in 1961. It is the largest country in East Africa and hosts the Headquarters of the Eastern Africa Community (EAC).

The country’s economy is mainly dependent on agriculture, mining, and tourism.

MONROVIA – Constituent members of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change have reaffirmed their quest to go for reelection without any changes to the Coalition.

This means, Pres. George Weah remains the standard bearer, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor remains the vice stand standard bearer, and Mulbah Morlu, the chairman of the Coalition.

Their affirmation to retain the ticket that brought the coalition to power is contained in a reaffirmation statement signed by the political leaders and chairpersons of the three political parties – the Congress for Democratic Change, (CDC), National Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Liberia People Democratic Party (LPDP).

Speaking on the reaffirmation last Friday, the Chairman of the Coalition, Mulbah Morlu, said the retention of the ticket was triggered by the recognition of the tremendous development gains of the CDC-led government.

He said the government remains committed to fulfilling the solemn promises that inspired into existence the Coalition for Democratic Change; were as, acknowledging the President’s efforts of the CDC-led government in the delivery of basic social services, good governance, genuine national reconciliation, accountability, national infrastructural development, respect for reconciliation, and respect for fundamental and inalienable human rights enshrined in the Constitution of Liberia reaffirmed our commitment of working together for pending election.

Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), National Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Liberian People Democratic Party (LPDP) in their reaffirmation stated that they are cognizant of collective support for the re-election of President George Weah who remains the Supreme cause of the “Whose interest the Pro-poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity (PAPD) is being successfully implemented”.

The Coalition for Democratic Change enjoys strong political allies with the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction of Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson.

The three parties in their affirmation lauded Pres. Weah for his efforts in the provision of employment opportunities for ordinary citizens and the sustained delivery of basic social services to the people of Liberia in healthcare, education and agriculture.

The Reaffirmation statement: “Cognizant that our collective support for the Weah led-government is in the supreme cause of the great people of Liberia in whose interest the Pro-Poor Agenda for property and Development (PAPD) are being successfully implemented.  Now, therefore, we the following political parties; Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) National Patriotic Party (NPP), and the Liberia People Democratic Party 2016 agreement and henceforth, reaffirm our commitment to the Coalition for Democratic Change 2023 Legislature and Presidential Elections, the document concludes.”

The reaffirmation of commitment which was signed on September 8, 2022 is a baseline political settlement to secure second term presidential bid for former football legend and Senator of Montserrado County George Weah.

Meanwhile, the Coalition for Democratic Change has announced a two-day orientation workshop for its major auxiliaries’ leadership in Gbarnga, Bong County.

The two days event, according to the CDC Chair, is intended to mode the minds of partisans in achieving future political goals.

Morlu told reporters that the workshop will also help strengthen the party in enhancing its mobilization strategies in upholding their originality as a “mass base political movement”.

The CDC Chair reechoed the need to uphold zero tolerance against violence in spite of political differences.

Monrovia –Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has arrived in Dar Es Salaam, the capital of the United Republic of Tanzania to address the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Conference on Women and Youth Trade scheduled for September 12th to 14th, 2022.

At the invitation of Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Madam Vice President will proffer her perspectives on the theme Women and Youth: “the Engine of AfCFTA Trade in Africa”. 

Vice President Howard-Taylor upon arrival, was received by Hon. Amb. Liberata Mulamula, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Eastern African Cooperation.

Madam Vice President’s visit to the United Republic of Tanzania becomes the first official visit of a Liberian leader since former President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf visited in 2012.

While in Dar Es Salaam, Liberia’s Vice President will hold discussions with H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, amongst others.

The United Republic of Tanzania gained independence in 1961. It is the largest country in East Africa and hosts the Headquarters of the Eastern Africa Community (EAC).

The Country’s economy is mainly dependent on agriculture, mining, and tourism.

Monrovia –Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has arrived in Dar Es Salaam, the capital of the United Republic of Tanzania to address the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Conference on Women and Youth Trade scheduled for September 12th to 14th, 2022.

At the invitation of Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Madam Vice President will proffer her perspectives on the theme Women and Youth: “the Engine of AfCFTA Trade in Africa”. 

Vice President Howard-Taylor upon arrival, was received by Hon. Amb. Liberata Mulamula, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Eastern African Cooperation.

Madam Vice President’s visit to the United Republic of Tanzania becomes the first official visit of a Liberian leader since former President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf visited in 2012.

While in Dar Es Salaam, Liberia’s Vice President will hold discussions with H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, amongst others.

The United Republic of Tanzania gained independence in 1961. It is the largest country in East Africa and hosts the Headquarters of the Eastern Africa Community (EAC).

The Country’s economy is mainly dependent on agriculture, mining, and tourism.

Monrovia – The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Jewel Howard-Taylor, has addressed the first-ever National Progressives Women’s Conference under the governing  All Progressives Congress (APC) held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at the Abuja International Conference Center,  in Abuja,  Nigeria.

Serving as Keynote Speaker at Conference attended by more than 50,000 women across the 36 States of Nigeria,  Madam Vice President relished the opportunity to share experiences and provide perspectives on the topic: “Women Political Leaders: Leveraging Networks to transform Nigeria.” 

 In her splendid presentation, the Liberian first female Vice President intimated that the conference is unprecedented and an indication of a new paradigm shift in the vision of internal Governance of Political parties and a more significant consideration that Nigeria is the undisputed leader of the West Africa sub-region. 

She applauded the leadership of the All Progressives Congress for being sensitive to the democratic dispensation of our time, highlighting the necessity to involve women in the planning of strategies as Nigeria and other African Nations prepare for National Elections in 2023.

Madam Howard-Taylor then cautioned the leadership of the APC to maximize the potential and vigorously engage the approximately 125 million women of Nigeria at home and abroad if they must retain power in 2023.

VP Howard-Taylor further argued that Women hold the power of the Votes across the African continent and must be included at all levels of National leadership;  urging that women must form the core of the APC winning strategy,  not only for their full participation but also for their full inclusion in the Mobilization,   Recruitment,  and elections to various positions throughout the electoral framework.

Vice President Howard-Taylor, therefore, called on the Women of the APC to come together in all their brilliance and capabilities to begin to speak with ONE VOICE and collectively push for greater participation at all levels.

She indicated that Women are now cognizant of the power in their sheer numbers across Nigeria; and bring to bear the fact that they make up more than 50 percent of the population and hold in their hands 50 percent of the vision, stamina, capabilities, and abilities to make their Nations great across the globe. 

Several State Governors attended the Progressive Women’s Conference, Senators, Diplomats, and significant women State actors to include Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  Her Excellency Mai Mala Buni, Chief Patron of the National Progressive Women’s Conference,  Her Excellency Dr. Hajiya Ramatu  Tijani Aliya, Minister of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  amongst others. 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of the two major political parties in Nigeria and the governing party of Nigeria. 

It was founded on February 6, 2013, and its current Standard Bearer is His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gbarnga – Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has made it clear that she will not support the re-election of Bong County Senator Henry Yallah, President George Weah’s candidate for the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).

Report by Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

Howard-Taylor’s National Patriotic Party (NPP) is one of three constituent parties that make up the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change.

Yallah was endorsed by three collaborating political parties making up the ruling coalition: (NPP), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)and the Liberia People’s Democratic Party( LPDP).

Later, the NPP distanced itself from the endorsement, stating that the party had not made a decision on who to support in Bong County.

During a political rally in Yallah’s Kokoyah District in 2018, Howard-Taylor branded him a “snake” and urged county residents not to re-elect him. “Senator Yallah does not deserve re-election,” she said. “He’s is snake who can’t be trusted.”

She told citizens that Yallah has failed to bring any significant dividends to the people who elected him.

She promised to do everything in her power to ensure that Yallah is not re-elected.

Speaking to Radio Gbarnga last week Friday, Howard-Taylor reaffirmed her stance against Yallah’s re-election. “Senator Yallah joined President Weah’s CDC and so it’s up to the party to ensure he gets re-elected,” she said.

“I am not a loose talker. I am not someone who speaks on top of my head. When I made those comments about Senator Yallah I thought about the situation that existed at the time in Bong County and those situations still exist. I maintain those comments about Senator Yallah heading to the December elections,” she said.

Howard-Taylor, however, did not say who will support in the December 8, 2020 election.

Other candidates running for the Bong senatorial seat race are former Liberia Ambassador to the United States of America, Jeremiah Sulunteh, Dorothy Tooman, former head of the Development Education Network Liberia (DEN-L), former president of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Mohammed Nasser, Dr. Mogana Flomo, Jr, former minister of agriculture, Benedict Sagbeh, former legal advisor of the Forestry Development Authority, Menikpakei Dumoe, acting chairman of Council of Patriots and Deputy House Speaker and District Two lawmaker, Prince Moye.

“I have not decided yet, “she said. “ The day I decide to support a candidate, I will make that public in Gbarnga,” she said.

“I am not a loose talker. I am not someone who speak on top of my head. When I made those comments about Senator Yallah I thought about the situation that existed at the time in Bong County and those situations still exist. I maintain those comments about Senator Yallah heading to the December elections”

– Jewel Howard Taylor, Vice President

Asked why she is not supporting Tooman, the lone female aspirant in the race, despite her advocacy for increasing women representation in the Legislature, Howard-Taylor replied: “I want the best candidate for Bong County. If I don’t find that person, I will remain silent.”

Amos Barbu, secretary general of NPP’s Bong County chapter, said the vice president’s decision is based on President Weah’s quest to disintegrate the NPP ahead of the 2023.

He cited the recent resignation by Howard-Taylor’s long time ally, Superintendent Esther Walker, who joined Weah’s CDC last week. “The president cannot be disintegrating our party and expect the vice president to support a candidate of his choice in Bong County,” Barbu said.

Commenting on the resignation of Walker from the NPP, Howard-Taylor said she has no bad feeling towards her friend. “The superintendent and I are not fussing. I strongly believe her decision was politically motivated,” Howard-Taylor said.  “I respect her for her decision.”

“If you can break a relationship of 27 years only because of job security, no problem.”

Howard-Taylor said there were no personal issues between she and Walker before the superintendent’s resignation.

Howard-Taylor also took jabs at George Mulbah, former Bong County representative of District Three. She said  Mulbah, who has endorsed Moye’s bid for the Senate, is “morally bankrupt.”

He lacks the political influence in the county to campaign for anyone running for the Senatorial seat. “There are people who have lost respect among residents of the county, “she said. “Selecting those individuals to spearhead your campaigns would be detrimental to your ambition,” she said. George Mulbah is one such people. He does not have the integrity to influence decision in Bong County politics.”

Mulbah responded to the vice president’s comments in a live Facebook post on July 25.

He said Howard-Taylor was speaking out of frustration because of his current stance against the vice president in the ongoing internal wrangling within the NPP.