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President Weah Underscores Importance of Good Governance To Sustainable Development

President Weah Underscores Importance of Good Governance To Sustainable Development
Farmington Hotel, Margibi County - The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, says good governance is sine qua non to sustainable national development.
Addressing the Second ECOWAS/Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA) Joint Congress Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the Farmington Hotel, President Weah said the organizers were not wrong to choose the theme "Good Governance and Sustainable Development for Regional Prosperity" as the Subregion is searching for lasting solutions to the many problems of underdevelopment that are common to all the member States of ECOWAS.
He added that the theme corresponds with the core of the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's 2063 aspirations for Africa.
He reminded the conferees that it was high time leaders of the Subregion satisfied present needs of citizens without compromising the ability of future generations to eventually satisfy theirs in order to achieve and maintain sustainable development.
President Weah said It is equally important that Member States ensure sustainable development in the sub-region, insisting that the continent itself must be based on the choices they make, and the processes by which these choices are made.
"This will not only ensure that there is broad consensus and acceptance of the governance processes that are used in our decision-making, but will also enable us to achieve stable and long-term economic growth, proportionate balanced economic, social development, and beneficial employment policies," the President noted
He continued: "We will also be able to see a reduction of regional differences, growth of personal income and consumption, preservation of the environment for future generations, and efficient usage and allocation of natural resources as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."
President Weah hailed the importance of the accountancy profession in countries of the ECOWAS Subregion, saying that Accountancy professionals, whether in the private or public sector, provide accounting expertise to guide financial planning and to maintain fiscal discipline.
He said accountants lead or assist their institutions with the development and implementation of their corporate strategy and advisory services, instituting "measures to reduce costs by being efficient in their services, and mitigate and hedge against various types of risks, while maintaining high ethical standards."
He stressed that accounting forms the core of public trust, confidence and value, and provides the basis for transparency and probity in governance systems.
The Joint Congress, according to the Liberian Leader, is dedicated to showcasing the potential and strength of the accountancy profession in Liberia, the West African sub-region, and beyond.
He stressed that the Congress is intended to enhance the economic growth of both the private and public sectors of our regional block through the development of professional networks of competence and high standards.
"I believe that conferences and congresses such as this one provide a basis for knowledge-sharing amongst professional networks and can serve to advance the prospects of standardization and uplift the quality of the practice of accountancy within our sub-region," he stated.
The President who said he was honored by the invitation extended him to serve as keynote speaker at the Conference welcomed the Conferees to Monrovia, and wished them a pleasant and enjoyable stay.
He expressed delight that Liberia has been chosen as the venue for the important and historic regional event, the 2nd Joint Congress of the Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) and the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA).
He commended the ECOWAS Commission and ABWA for this joint initiative.
The President also commended the leadership of the Liberian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (LICPA) for its diligence and steadfastness in working with other regional professionals to host this historic Joint Congress in Liberia for the first time.

President Describes Liberia’s Tourism Potential as Endowing and Immense

Monrovia, Liberia - The President of the Republic, His Excellency George Manneh Weah, Thursday, January 27, 2022, launched the National Tourism Marketing and Branding Strategy, describing the country’s potential as heavily endowed and lucrative for investment.


The Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) and its partners have embarked upon a tourism branding process as a roadmap to develop and market Liberia’s emerging tourism sector which has long remained untapped.


In a launching statement of the initiative, President Weah indicated that “our country is endowed with immense cultural and tourism potential”.


He said Liberians take special pride in the diversity of their heritage and tourist attractions—the lush green vegetation, beautiful waterfalls, pristine beaches, and other stunning landscapes.


“We are also blessed with a striking coastline of over 560 kilometers,” the President added: “We have a unique flora and fauna, largely unexplored wildlife and an excellent ocean tide, thus making Liberia an ideal destination for tourism.”


The Liberian Chief Executive expressed delighted launching the National Tourism Marketing and Branding Strategy which unarguably “is a first in our country’s history.”


He reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing in tourism and making it a key sector to drive the country’s economic growth.


The sector, Dr. Weah said, has the potential to create employment for thousands of Liberians, while contributing to revenue generation.


“Tourism development brings together all sectors, including the private sector, which is an important engine of growth and economic development,” The President noted, calling on actors in the private sector to play a major role in the development of the Liberian tourism industry, either as independent entrepreneurs, or through public private partnerships with the Government.


“Let me at this point convey my sincere gratitude to the International Trade Center and United Nations World Tourism Organization for their strong support and collaboration. We also would like to thank the Enhanced Integrated Framework Program for funding this project. I am hopeful that the other components of this project will be implemented and completed as planned’, Dr. Weah noted.


He thanked the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, the Liberia Tourism Association, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for working in partnership to lay the foundation for the important initiative.

Presidents Weah, Erdogan Hold Fruitful Meeting

Antalya, Turkey - The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Saturday, March 12, 2022 on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Dr. Weah is in Antalya, Turkey attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum of Global Leaders. 

 

At their meeting held at the luxurious Montgomerie Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort, both Presidents Weah and Erdogan discussed wide-ranging issues of multilateral and bilateral interests to both Liberia and Turkey covering areas of global peace and security, the consolidation of diplomatic ties, economic and security cooperation as well as education and business links between both countries. 

 

Welcoming President Weah to Turkey, President Erdogan expressed delight at the visit of his counterpart to Turkey after their two informal meetings earlier this year in Lome, Togo, and Dakar Senegal. He stressed the need for the improvement in diplomatic relations between Liberia and Turkey through the establishment of embassies in both Capitals. 

 

“Liberia is very strategic and important and Turkey is keen to deepen our relations with your country in many areas that will be of mutual benefits”, President Erdogan asserted. 

 

“We want to increase our investments and interests in Liberia through the establishment of a joint commission that will explore areas of mutual security, business, trade, and education”, the Turkish leader added. 

 

President Erdogan also mentioned the ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia saying this has rekindled global concerns for a new world order, especially at the level of the United Nations Security Council. He urged President Weah to join the campaign for the change in the present structure of the UN Security Council saying the present model does not equitably represent the current new world order. 

 

For his part, the Liberian Leader thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the warm hospitality accorded him and his delegation while extolling the bond of friendship that has developed between him and his Turkish Counterpart since their first meeting earlier this year. 

 

President Weah welcomed the need for the establishment of formal diplomatic missions between Monrovia and Ankara which he said will lead to greater areas of cooperation between both countries. 

 

He said the current trend of Turkish Business investments in Liberia was encouraging and called for an enhancement in economic ties between both countries. 

 

The Liberian Leader requested Turkey’s Assistance in the areas of Security, Infrastructure- to include roads, housing, electricity, and education with an emphasis on technical and vocational education and training for the many unskilled youths of Liberia. 

 

On International Security with a focus on the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia, President Weah reiterated Liberia’s position calling for a diplomatic settlement. 

 

“We have gone through a period of war as a country and know the importance of peace. We remain on the side of peaceful dialogue through collective diplomatic efforts”, the Liberian Leader averred. 

 

Meanwhile, President George Weah joined over 135 Leaders from across the world to participate in the 2nd Edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Turkey under the theme “Recoding Diplomacy” being held at the NEST Congress and Exhibition Center in the Mediterranean resort of Antalya. 

 

The ADF is a high-level gathering of professionals who deal with diplomacies such as political leaders, diplomats, opinion-makers, or academics. It presents an excellent platform for regional and global actors from the spheres of diplomacy, policy, and business to exchange ideas and address international challenges. 

President Weah Happy About Transformation At LTC As He Launches Its 4G Mobile Service

Monrovia, Liberia - The President of the Republic, Dr. George Manneh Weah, has expressed delight over rapid transformation taking place at the Liberia Telecommunication Corporation (LTC) under his administration and the management team he appointed.

President Weah on Thursday, January 27, 2022 launched the first government-owned Fourth Generation (4G) Voice Over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) Voice Service under the aegis of the LTC exactly four years into his stewardship.

In a Special Statement at the launch of the LTC Mobile Service, an occasion graced by an array of Government officials and partners, President Weah recalled the dysfunctional state in which his government met the national entity and expressed delight for the rapid transformation witnessed in a short time.

“When I assumed Office in 2018, LIBTELCO was very limited in capacity and functionalities, and less viable as a national entity,” the President asserted. “We entrusted you [the management team] and your technical people with the responsibility to transform this public corporation into a vibrant and profitable enterprise in the best interest of its shareholders, the Liberian people.”

 

He said he was glad that after a few years of the incumbency of the new management, he was launching the country's Fourth Generation Voice Over Long-Term Evolution and 4G service, which he says represents one of the best mobile technologies in Africa, providing coverage to countries outside of Liberia’s borders.

“Not only is the Corporation venturing in the mobile service, but also playing a critical leading role in ICT infrastructure in the country’s digital platform in collaboration with the Central Bank of Liberia and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning”, President Weah indicated.

He urged LTC Management to continue to remain proactive in fostering the growth and development of this important enterprise.

He said the launch of the LTC mobile service is one of several meaningful steps his Government has embarked upon to enhance economic growth through job creation, adding, “it will increase revenue generation and improve service delivery for the people.”

President Weah observed that one significant way to keep the LTC buoyant is to focus on “public service investment.

 

According to the Liberian Leader, the LTC investment will play a significant role in strengthening the Telecommunication Sector, as his Government is keen on improving state-owned enterprises to improve investment in the sector.

The President recalled fond memories of his days as an employee of the LTC, saying it was a sense of great pride returning to the place he held his first public job.

From the launch of the LTC Mobile Service, the Chief Executive was taken on a guarded tour of facilities of the Corporation, before moving on to visit the offices of the National Insurance Corporation of Liberia (NICOL), another state-owned enterprise which is presently undergoing transformation under the new management team headed by Sam Mannah, former Presidential Press Secretary of Liberia.