Monrovia – “Broad reforms and bold steps to inhibit corruption are needed to transform the business climate to attract domestic, regional and foreign investment, to grow the economy and to seek further fiscal and monetary stability,” said US Ambassador Christine Elder.
Report by Mae Azango, [email protected]
Sounding this clarion call at the observance of the United States of America’s 242nd independence anniversary held at their embassy in Monrovia, Amb. Elder indicated that the present economic challenge remains vital to the livelihood of Liberians; therefore the George Weah administration should address it urgently.
“Successful economies in Africa have mastered a balancing act that creates a combination of laws and incentives that deepen the relationship with the companies that are cornerstones of their economies and attract new businesses while providing governments much-needed revenues and creating domestic jobs,” she added.
In her independence day message, Ambassador Elder, while talking on Liberia-USA relation, she stressed that the economy is the only sustainable path to lifting the people out of poverty. She acknowledged that country’s government shares the Liberian government’s sense of urgency to move the country forward in its development.
“Broad reforms and bold steps to inhibit corruption are needed to transform the business climate to attract domestic, regional, and foreign investment, to grow the economy and to seek further fiscal and monetary stability,” she indicated.
Not only did Ambassador Elder suggest way forward for the government to improve the economy, but she also cited some instances that portray patriotism and commitment to duty, and using herself as a point of reference, she said while on a plane in recently, she looked at her passport and thought how lucky she was to possess it and to have the privilege of standing before Liberians representing her country.
She stated that as she flipped through the pages of her passport, she came across some quotations, one of which is attributed to a prominent African-American scholar, Anna Haywood Cooper. In Anna’s writing that concerns freedom, Ambassador Elder quoted, “The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class—it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.”
She interpreted the quotation as a call for equality, tolerance, and respect, despite the profound differences separating social and political life.
The US Ambassador pointed out that her fellow Americans today reflect on the often difficult and costly road to attain freedom, to protect and defend freedom, and to examine their understanding of freedom.
The US Ambassador promised to assist Liberia improves healthcare and education, contribute to infrastructure, election, electricity and internet connectivity amongst others.
President George Weah extended the congratulatory message to President Donald Trump and the government and people of the United States and added that the US has been instrumental in enhancing equality, justice, liberty for all of its citizens.
“I look forward to another get together of Liberians and people of the United States under the Partnership Dialogue to share bilateral views and thoughts that will be beneficial to the two countries,” said President Weah.
He thanked the US government for its support to the Liberian security sector, elect and other human development activities it has been supporting. And said with such support the election that led him to power was held and a peaceful transition took place.
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