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AT THE ACP-EU CONFAB...REP. GRAY CALLS FOR STANCE AGAINST UNCONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE OF POWER IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICA

AT THE ACP-EU CONFAB...REP. GRAY CALLS FOR STANCE AGAINST UNCONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE OF POWER IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

 

April 3, 2022...Strasbourg, France-PRESS RELEASE: The Head of the Liberian Parliamentary Delegation to the African-Caribbean Pacific States and the European Union Parliamentary Delegation (ACP-EU), Representative Acarous Moses Gray, has reiterated Liberia's stance against any form of unconstitutional change of power in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Speaking at the opening of the conference on April 1, 2022 at the 41st Joint Parliamentary meeting of the African Caribbean Pacific States and the European Union taking place in Strasbourg, France, the Liberian lawmaker called on the body to take an "uncompromising" position on the matter.

 

According to a dispatch from France, Representative Gray is leading the country's delegation at the seven-day assembly, which brings together European parliamentarians and others representing Seventy-Nine (79) other ACP nations have discussed issues of international concern, including threats to stability, security and democracy in West Africa and the Sahel region, as well as the global impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 

"We are very concerned about the situation in West Africa and other sub-Saharan countries", Representative Gray told the audience, " He said because what affects our neighbors affects us directly". Representative Gray said the ACP-EU should also take a "definitive" position in speaking up against leaders who democratically extend their term in office.

 

The lawmaker reminded his colleagues about the numerous protocols and other agreements they have ratified that frowned on instability and coups, as he urged them to be "courageous" and not mince their words. He stressed that powerful nations, including those in the West, must be "clear and straight forward" in defending moral values.

 

"There should be no Invincible hands in encouraging any form of instability or coup d'etat in the Sub-saharan Africa".

 

Meanwhile, Rep Gray has strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while calling on the Russian President Vladimir Putin to "withdraw his troops". He hailed the bravery and courage of the Ukrainian people who he said continue to "withstand the test of time". Narrating Liberia's own dreadful experience with war, Gray said it was traumatizing to see women and children fleeing in search of safety and bodies littering the streets. This is why, "we say no to war! Peace first and peace last".

 

 

 

"Dr. Sawyer Was a Man of Peace," President Weah Says of Late Dr. Sawyer as He Signs Book of Condolence

Monrovia, Liberia -The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, led an array of Government Officials to sign the Book of Condolence for fallen statesmen and academic, Dr. Amos C. Sawyer.


Dr. Sawyer was Interim President of the Interim Government of National Unity, the first power-sharing government organized to end the Liberian civil war.


Before performing the rather mournful act at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion on Ashmun Street, President Weah comforted members of the bereaved family, including Mrs. Comfort Sawyer, wife of the deceased.


In a brief chat with reporters, following the signing, President Weah described the late Dr. Sawyer as a man of peace who devoted his life to the good of the nation.


"He was a man of peace, father of the nation. We will miss him so dearly. It's our prayers that his soul will find rest," the Liberian Leader said.


The President said he and Dr. Sawyer had a personal relationship, stressing "he was not a friend but my father."


"We are his children, all of us who are peaceful children of Liberia," President Weah stressed.


Along with the Liberian Leader at the signing of the Book of Condolence was a horde of members of the Cabinet led by Foreign Minister, D. Maxwell-Saah Kemayah, Dean of the Cabinet.

As Liberia Mourns Dr. Sawyer's Death, President Weah Names Liberia College at UL In His Honor

Monrovia, Liberia - The College of Social Sciences and Humanities or Liberia College at the University of Liberia will now be called the Prof. Amos Claudius Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

 

Naming the College in honor of the late Dr. Sawyer is part of the Liberian Leader's way of memorializing the legacy of the fallen statesman who once served as Dean of the College and credited for Liberia's democratization.

 

The President's honor of Dr Sawyer was done through a Special Citation issued Saturday, April 2, 2022 by the H. E. Dr George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic and Visitor of the University of Liberia.


According to the Citation read by the Dean of the Cabinet, Foreign Minister D. Maxwell-Saah Kemayah at Dr. Sawyer's state funeral at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion, President Weah took the decision in consultation with and the acquiesce of the Board of Trustees of the University of Liberia.


President Weah said he was honoring Dr. Sawyer for his selfless services rendered the University as Professor of Political Science and former Dean of the College for years.


 

The citation recounted Dr. Sawyer's immense contribution to the intellectual development of the Liberian youth, molding the minds of many other young Liberians at the University and elsewhere.

 

President Weah also took note of Dr. Sawyer's profound contribution to the socio-economic development of the Republic and restructuring of the governance process.

 

The Liberian Chief Executive along with current and former officials as well as other state actors of the West African Subregion, formed part of the Funeral Service of Dr. Sawyer.

 

Dr. Sawyer passed away at age 77 on February 16, 2022 in the State of Maryland, United States of America, following a period of illness.

 

President Weah Woos UAE Investors, Business Tycoons to Tap In Liberia's Virgin Sectors

Monrovia, Liberia - Dubai, UAE - The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has spoken so passionately about the friendly ties subsisting between Liberia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as his personal brotherly friendship with the leaders of UAE.

 
 
Liberia is amongst 192 countries presently being showcased at EXPO 2020 DUBAI, an annual event which had to be delayed due to COVID-19 that's still ravaging global economies and supply chains.
 
 
In a special statement on March 25, 2022, President Weah nicknamed the Dubai Conference "Liberia National Day" and outlined Liberia's investment potentials and openness for business.
 
 
He said, "Liberia seeks to expand its potential in many areas, including the mining sector that it has been traditionally known for across the world.  However, the emerging fields of tourism, agriculture and fisheries are ones that have yet to be exploited."
 
 
President Weah encouraged UAE investors and business leaders to come to Liberia and tap into "these traditional and virgin sectors"  which he said will in turn help fill Liberia's huge infrastructure deficit and foster economic development.
 
 
"I invite you to join us in developing a prosperous business climate in Liberia," he said.
 
 
He noted that Liberia, for the first time in the history of World Expo, was being represented by having its own Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.
 
 
"I am very pleased and proud to note that this is the first time in the history of World Expos that Liberia is truly represented by having its own Pavilion," President Weah stated.
 
 
 He also thanked the organizers for the “One Nation, One Pavilion” policy of Expo 2020 Dubai, which he believes  gave Liberia the opportunity to share with the world its business and investment opportunities; to showcase our rich culture and history as the first Independent African Republic; and to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership that we enjoy with the UAE.
 
 
The Liberian Leader said the theme of Liberia’s Pavilion is “LIBERIA IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS” embraces the idea that trade and investments are essential ingredients for sustainable national economic growth and development.  
 
 
President Weah also used the occasion to extol the government and people of the UAE for the many projects they continue to undertake in Liberia, as a result of the close cooperation forged since he assumed office in 2018. He said that has led to the UAE support for programs in the areas of health, infrastructure development, sports, capacity building and agriculture.
 
 
He recounted how the UAE is currently financing the construction of a modern hospital complex in Western Liberia, as well as a state of the arts sports and recreational park, the Unity Sports Park, being built in central Monrovia.
 
 
"I am happy to announce also that the government of the UAE has been gracious enough to lend its hand to aiding with asphalt pavement of a road project leading to and through Liberia's northern Lofa County, by providing additional funding support," the President said.
 
 
The President said he was honored to attend the Liberia National Day Celebration at Expo 2020 Dubai at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
 
 
President Weah particularly thanked the leadership of the UAE and Organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai for the gracious hospitality provided to me and my delegation since our arrival in your beautiful city, and the excellent arrangements that you have made for our comfort and safety.
 
 
"As you aware, Expo 2020 Dubai has brought together 192 countries, with visitors from all around the world, under the central theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. 
 
 
He further said: "With three additional sub-themes of “Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability”, it has convened the global community here in Dubai, and is inspiring people around the world to work together in new ways to create a sustainable future.
 
 
According to him, Expo 2020 Dubai, the first mega-event of its kind in the Middle-Eastern region,
has also provided unique global platform for presenting new and innovative solutions that have the potential to transform the lives of people of all races and backgrounds, in spite of the ongoing global economic and health challenges which face our world today.
 
 
He said: "UAE is home to me. My experiences in this country inspired me to get involved with leadership in Liberia. To bring about change and to improve the lives of my people. I therefore seek to maintain that relationship with my brothers - particularly the ruler of Dubai and Crown Prince of Abu-Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan."
 
 
He informed the event of the launch of the year-long celebration of Liberia's Bicentennial Anniversary - marking 200 years since.