Ellen receives UK parliamentary delegation

President Ellen Johnson – Sirleaf has received in audience a UK parliamentary delegation and expressed appreciation over the visit to Liberia. The delegation involves a cross-party four-member team, three of whom are members of the International Development Committee of the House of Commons.

An Executive Mansion release dated 23 August says Mrs. Sirleaf received the UK Parliamentarians, headed on the delegation by Stephen Twigg, Member of Parliament. Mr. Twigg was accompanied to President Sirleaf’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by other members of the delegation including Baroness Sheehan, James Duddridge, MP, and Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP.

They are in the country to explore opportunities aimed at understanding the country’s efforts to re-built its health system through the delivery of key interventions such as immunizations and tackling infectious diseases. Their trip here includes visits to national and community-based health programmes, service users and health care providers, as well as holding of meetings with representatives, among others.

After welcoming the delegation to Liberia, President Sirleaf held bilateral discussions with them at different levels aimed at strengthening the health sector. She recalled the many contributions made by the British Government to Liberia especially in the areas of road, and health, coupled with the strong ties existing between the two countries.

She extolled the delegation and expressed confidence that their visit will yield good fruits as soon as all the technical details are concluded with the relevant institutions. Touching on the upcoming representatives and presidential elections, the Liberian leader reemphasized violent-free and transparent elections, stressing the Farmington Declaration that was signed by leaders of political parties. She stressed the need for a peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another.

Speaking earlier, the head of delegation MP Stephen Twigg commended President Sirleaf for the warm welcome and reception accorded his delegation. He told President Sirleaf that this was his first visit to Liberia and is impressed with the level of development that has taken place in here under Madam Sirleaf’s administration. He disclosed that the delegation is in Liberia with the aim of exploring opportunities to gain intuition in the health sector through the delivery of interventions in immunizations and tackling infectious diseases among others.

Also speaking, Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Frances Nah Kateh said in 2006, government inherited bad health sector but has made significant progress in some areas. He noted that Life expectancy now in Liberia is between 63 to 67 years, adding that it is better than what it used to be when the government came to power.

Meanwhile, in another development, Monique Pean, Ashley Adjaye, and Chloe Malle in collaboration with Monrovia Football Academy have invited President Sirleaf as a Special Guest of Honor to a Cocktail event meant to raise money for sports development in Liberia. It is scheduled to take place on September 20, 2017 in New York, the United States of America. The invitation was presented by William Smith, Co-founder and Executive Director, Monrovia Football Academy.