SPECIAL STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. GEORGE MANNEH WEAH

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021

Millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged into child labour and are victims of human trafficking, specifically child trafficking, that have placed them into child labour. These works have deprived them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, thereby undermining their potential growth and development as well as their ability to gainful employment. More than half have been trafficked and are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking, prostitution, and involvement in domestic work and in armed conflict.

The incidence and impact of child labour on the children’s fundamental rights and national development is one of the major concerns of the Government of Liberia. Child Labour is a cross-cutting issue that violates the fundamental rights of children emphasized by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the First World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) in June 2002 under the theme “A Future without Child Labour” as a way to highlight the plight of these children. The day, which is observed on June 12 of each year, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment.

The global pandemic (COVID-19) has profoundly affected the world of work. In addition to its threat to public health, the economic and social stability, the long-term livelihood and well-being of millions were also negatively impacted resulting to more child laborers.

Children's participation in the labour force is endlessly varied and infinitely volatile, responding to changing market and social conditions. Experience shows that a combination of economic growth, respect for labour standards, universal education and social protection, together with a better understanding of the needs and rights of children, can bring about a significant reduction in child labour. Child labour is a stubborn problem that, even if overcome in certain places or sectors, will seek out opportunities to reappear in new and often unanticipated ways. 

Liberia has signed many international Conventions including the UNICEF’s Child Rights Convention (CRC), the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons. Added to these is the endorsement and launched in 2019 of the Liberia’s National Action Plan Document (NAP) for the Elimination of the worst forms of Child Labour that aims at ensuring that children are shielded from activities that are detrimental to their physical, social or psychological well-being.

As Liberia joins the world over in observance of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour (June 12), with the Global Theme: “Act Now to End Child Labour”, the Government of Liberia recognizes that the worst forms of child labour and other hazardous work done by children deprive them of their dignity, rights to education, health, well-being and protection. As emphasized in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), it is clear that through relevant line Ministries such as the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry of Health, and in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other relevant humanitarian agencies, the Government of Liberia can achieve her objectives in the fight against child labour.

Against this backdrop, I call on all of the relevant actors and stakeholders to coordinate efforts and mobilize the needed resources, and with the support of the public, to ensure that no child is a victim of child labour or involved in hazardous work.

I thank you.

Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs will visit Liberia on June 10 and 11, 2021. This is the first visit by a French Minister of Foreign Affairs to Liberia after 40 years.

The Minister will have audience with H.E. Mr. George Weah, the President of the Republic of Liberia and Mr. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Minister of Foreign Affairs during which the strengthening of Franco-Liberian relations, development, economy, security and Francophonie will be discussed. The Minister will also discuss regional issues with his interlocutors as well as the role that Liberia could play particularly within ECOWAS and the African Union.

Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian will inaugurate the new location of the Alliance Française in Monrovia, symbol of the strengthening of the relationship between Liberia and the French-speaking world. He will meet young Liberians who are beneficiaries of French Development Agency projects aimed at helping them enter the labor market as well as pupils and students learning French. Finally, the Minister will discuss with French companies established in Liberia the prospects for strengthening Franco-Liberian economic relations.

The French  Language Interpretation:

Libéria – Déplacement de M. Jean-Yves Le Drian (10 et 11 juin 2021)

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, ministre de l'Europe et des affaires étrangères, se rend au Liberia les 10 et 11 juin 2021. Il s'agit de la première visite d'un ministre des affaires étrangères français au Liberia depuis plus de 40 ans.

Le ministre sera reçu en audience par le Président de la République, M. George Weah, et s'entretiendra avec le ministre des affaires étrangères, M. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah. Ces entretiens permettront d'évoquer le renforcement des relations franco-libériennes, en particulier dans les domaines du développement, de l'économie, de la sécurité et de la francophonie. Le ministre évoquera également avec ses interlocuteurs les enjeux régionaux, ainsi que le rôle que pourra jouer le Liberia, notamment au sein de la CEDEAO et de l'Union africaine.

M. Jean-Yves Le Drian inaugurera le nouveau site de l'Alliance française de Monrovia, symbole du renforcement de la relation entre le Libéria et le monde francophone. Il rencontrera de jeunes Libériens bénéficiaires de projets de l'Agence française de développement visant à favoriser leur entrée sur le marché du travail, ainsi que des élèves et étudiants apprenant le français. Le ministre évoquera enfin, avec les entreprises françaises installées au Liberia, les perspectives de renforcement des relations économiques franco-libériennes.

Monrovia, Liberia -The President of the Republic, H. E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has underscored the importance of Liberia’s relations with the Republic of France, stating that recent years have seen “our engagements heightened, even at summit level.”

The President recalled that after the new nation of Liberia was born in 1847, France was one of the first major countries, in 1852, to recognize our independence.

“We are therefore very proud of the cordial ties of friendship which have existed between Liberia and France for almost 170 years now,” the President noted Friday, June 11, 2021, in remarks at programs marking the laying of the foundation stone of the Alliance Française Institute in Monrovia by him and France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, His Excellency Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Recounting France’s recent development engagement with Liberia, President Weah recounted that in 2012, under the auspices of the Paris Club, France signed a debt relief agreement in favor of Liberia.

The next year, for the first time, a Liberian contingent marched alongside French forces on the Champs-Ēlysées in celebration of Bastille Day in 2013, President Weah further recalled, adding: “Today, even as we speak, a contingent of soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia is engaged alongside French troops in an endeavor to restore peace in Mali”.
 

President Weah said: “In 2015, Liberia participated in the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference in Paris. And in response to the deadly Ebola outbreak which recently occurred in Liberia, France was the co-sponsor of the UN Resolution which established the United Nations Mission Ebola Response.

The President acknowledged that France mobilized and joined other partners of the international community in order to actively tackle the Ebola virus in Liberia, and even now, France continues to support projects which contribute to the recovery of the Liberian health system.
 

He extoled the Republic of France for always demonstrating its friendship and support for Liberia.

According to the Liberian Chief Executive, the French government also assisted the Liberian National Police in the form of equipment and training, and plays an important role in peace and security in the sub-region, especially in combating the rise of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
 

“I was inaugurated as President of Liberia in January, 2018. The following month, I made a significant and historic first international visit outside of Africa to Paris, France,” Dr. Weah further recalled. “Today we are witnesses to the presence of the French Europe and Foreign Minister on our soil as a sign of reciprocity from that visit.”
 

He commended efforts of the French Embassy accredited to Monrovia, together with French companies and non-governmental organizations, who are eager to develop and sustain a new relationship with Liberia.

“In this regard, my Government is pleased to note that French investment interest in Liberia has grown rapidly and in an encouraging manner,” the President asserted, adding that these investments are making significant contributions to Liberia’s economic recovery, especially as they create jobs and present new opportunities for employment.

He said: “I am informed that the French Business Club is already active in Monrovia, and provides helpful advice to new French investors in Liberia. French NGO’s, such as MSF-France, Action Contre la Faim, and Medicin Du Monde, for example, are already playing a useful role. Their work in Liberia speaks to the cordiality of friendship that Liberia and France continue to enjoy.”
 

The President said he was confident that while remaining confident, and given the diversity and strength of our relationship, Liberia and France will continue to engage and explore wide-ranging areas of increased cooperation.

He assured the visiting French Foreign Minister that Liberia remains committed to “our shared values; including the advancement of democracy, global peace and security, international prosperity, and the promotion of gender equality, among others.”

And, like France, he said, “we will remain steadfast in championing the cause of humanity, and advocating for social justice and the exercise of inalienable rights without precondition”.
 

He also recounted the recent successful initiation of collaboration between the French financial development institution PROPARCO (Promotion et Participation pour la Coopération Économique) and ECOBANK Liberia, which has resulted in the first French-backed bank guarantee to a Liberian bank in the tune of Ten Million United States Dollars.

This is a significant development which is very welcoming, because it has the potential to give a major boost to the Liberian private sector in its efforts to secure funding from financial institutions, President Weah said.
 

The French Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian pledged France support to Liberia.

“Mr. President, Liberia is being discussed and placed as a priority Country to receive support from the Government and people of France,” Minister Le Drian said.

Monrovia, Liberia - The President of the Republic, Dr. George Manneh Weah, has emphasized the importance of overhauling the Liberian business and investment climate as the surest way in fighting poverty and sustaining national growth.

He said in addition to policy measures put into place in easing challenges faced by investors and businesspeople in Liberia since his leadership, he was poised to ramp up efforts to completely overhaul the processes involved in starting and maintaining a business and simplifying them.

“I will shortly appoint a high-level Cabinet sub-committee on the investment and business climate,” the President promised as he delivered a statement during the ongoing Judiciary Conference Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Congo Town. “This Committee will be chaired by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and will include the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Liberia Revenue Authority, the National Investment Commission, the Liberia Business Registry, the Liberia Electricity Corporation and other agencies as may be necessary.”

The Liberian Chief Executive said the cabinet sub-committee will be tasked to present a roadmap after this Judiciary Conference that will track the recommended actions and changes needed for improvement and that the Committee would present a report in six months to show credible progress on the business climate in a range of areas.

Speaking further on the matter, the President asserted: “Mr. Chief Justice, you will agree with me that if we make it difficult for businesses to register, to get electricity, or to pay their taxes, we affect the economy. If businesses cannot get timely legal redress from the courts, or if contracts cannot be effectively or fairly enforced, we affect the investment climate. If commercial banks cannot enforce judgement on collateral when people default on their loans, these banks may not be able lend money into our economy.”

Dr. Weah therefore called on the Liberian Judiciary to join ranks with other branches of Government to re-brand Liberia through impressive reforms and actions affecting the business climate, adding: “I have no doubt that this Conference will contribute meaningfully toward this end.”

He said if the law is the problem, “then let us reform the law. If processes and systems are the problem, let us change those processes. If the lack of funding is a problem, let us find ways to provide more resources. If certain people are the problem because, for selfish motives, they stand in the way of fair and transparent processes, then let us kick those people out of our systems to improve our investment and business climate.”
 

President Weah said rebranding the business and investment climate is of urgent necessity if the country is to be on par with countries with better business and investment climate outlooks.

Liberia ranks 175 out of 190 countries, the President observed, adding that that neighboring Sierra Leone ranks 163 out of 190, and that Cote d’Ivoire, another neighbor of Liberia, ranks 118 out of 190 countries.

The President said “this indicates that we as a Government and country have some serious work to do.” He said the National Judiciary Conference provides greater opportunity for the Judiciary to look at its contribution to changing these numbers through the application of the law, in key areas such as enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency, getting credit.

Though the Executive and Legislative Branches have huge role to play in driving the business and investment climate, the President thinks the Judicial Branch is critical in the realization of this goal.

He said: “And so to say that Liberia is a just society, we do not turn to the Executive Branch of Government, neither do we turn to the Legislative Branch of Government. Only one branch of Government holds the key to people’s and institutions’ perception and sense of justice in Liberia. That branch is the Judiciary branch of Government.”

According to him, Liberia’s business and investment climate has been a subject of great importance in recent years, and that government’s drive to provide jobs for the people and to grow the economy by increasing the flow of both domestic and private investments are all dependent on the structure of our business climate.

“That very structure depends on the body of laws and policies which we have in place to regulate the free flow of investments and commerce, the process and time it takes to resolve legal disputes arising from the application of these laws, and the sense or perception of justice that arises from this adjudication process,” the Liberian Leader declared.

He informed the gathering of lawyers that his government has been concerned with how to structure business and investment climate he took office in 2018.

President Weah recalled that the government in October 2018 established a Business Climate Working Group to look into ways of improving the business climate in Liberia, thus resulting into holding series of workshops and meetings across the Government and with Development Partners after which they were able to identify key challenges affecting the business climate and opportunities for improving it.

“These challenges are largely summarized by the World Bank’s Doing Business Indicators, which include indicators such as: starting a business, getting electricity, getting credit, paying taxes, enforcing contracts, registering property, protecting minority investors, trading across border, and resolving insolvency,” the Liberian leader noted.

President Weah however used the occasion to remind the Chief Justice, Associate Justices, counselors and lawyers of the powers they hold in Liberia’s democracy and over the people, saying that he is impressed that they have chosen to assess the impact of this power on “our national polity and economy through this Judiciary Conference.”

“It is also commendable that, on this Fourth day of the conference, you have also chosen to specifically assess how this power may be impacting businesses, corporations and investors,” the Chief Executive asserted.