By Lincoln G. Peters
The People’s Republic of China through its Ambassador to Liberia has suggested ways the government here can effectively reduce, and eradicate poverty, and realize prosperity, and development.
During a dialogue hosted at the Embassy near Monrovia Thursday, 15 December 2022, Ambassador Ren Yisheng urged the Government of Liberia to formulate long- and medium-term development strategies.
He suggested the formulation of policies with concrete and practical programs to reduce poverty here.
His suggestions were contained in a PowerPoint presentation on ‘Strengthened Development Cooperation for Sustainable Result in Liberia during the dialogue.
Mr. Ren disclosed that since the end of the civil conflict, much has been done and achieved in terms of recovery and reconstruction in Liberia.
At the same time, he urged that more concerted efforts need to be made at domestic, regional, and international levels.
He suggested the need to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, and the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) as advocated by President George Manneh Weah.
“Put development, including economic development and inclusive social development, in the preferred position of peace and stability,” said Amb. Ren.
“Formulate long- and medium-term development strategies and policies with concrete and practical programs and plans aimed to effectively reduce and eradicate poverty and realize prosperity and development,” he suggested.
The People’s Republic of China on Thursday hosted the first edition of the dialogue events to consolidate peace, stability, and development in Liberia.
The dialogue was jointly launched by the German Embassy in Liberia and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in October.
It aims to consolidate the peace, stability, and cooperation in Liberia and Africa at large.
The program was organized under the theme: “Strengthened Development Cooperation for Sustainable Result.”
It was graced by several members of the diplomatic corps including the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy, Dr. Jakob Haselhuber, the German Ambassador to Liberia, and other African diplomats from Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.
The program was also graced by Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, House Speaker Bhofal Chambers, and River Gee County Senator Conmany B. Wesseh.
Others were Internal Affairs Minister Varney A. Sirleaf, Education Minister Professor Dr. Ansu Soni, Public Works Minister Ruth Coker Collins, and Naomi Gray, Assistant Minister for Afro-Asia Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Liberia, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor said the country believes that cooperation must be at the zenith of any nation’s foreign policy.
She noted that her government takes very seriously, the recommendations and suggestions proffered by the Chinese Ambassador.
“Let me specifically appreciate the Government and People of China for their enormous contribution to Liberia’s economic transformation,” she said.
“In all his public expositions on Liberia’s alliance with friendly Nations and Allies, President George Manneh Weah has maintained China as one of Liberia’s most reliable allies,” she added.
She said the alliance was further solidified when Liberia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of China, and officially joined more than 150 countries as members of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to her, the people of Liberia continue to appreciate the alliance between both nations.
