Liberia’s economy needs recovery

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund or IMF, Madam Christine Largade, has emphasized that the economy of Liberia needs serious recovery. She says the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus here posed serious threat to the economy and disrupted national development agenda.

Director Largade said there is need for national government and its partners to work in close collaboration to rebuild the country’s economy, adding that government alone cannot do everything. She urged Liberians to join hands in supporting government in all of its initiatives.

The IMF boss spoke Friday, September 11, when she paid a courtesy visit to the Young Women Christian Association headquarters in Congo town, outside Liberia. She pointed out that Liberia has a great history of success, and that it was about time that Liberian women unite to become useful in the society.

“To me the YWCA is a place where young women and girls will go and find peace, and engage in activities, including education, skills training, and other things that will benefit their lives in the society. My coming to the Monrovia YWCA is to salute your effort for the special role being played in providing

education, skills training to many Liberian s girls who find themselves [doing something] to survived”, she complimented. She also called on executives of the WYCA to focus on building capacity of young women at the center so they can become leaders of their own.

“My coming to Liberia is to support government’s initiatives including women and girls; I want to pledge our commitment in working with you to make sure you achieve your goals; with all the low budget allocation, we realized that there more to be done in Liberia”, she added.

Meanwhile, the National General Secretary of the Monrovia YWCA, Madam Roseline K. Toweh, has noted that the essence of establishing the Monrovia YWCA in 1941 is to champion the cause of Liberian women in every part of the country with gender mainstreaming, training, capacity building and other meaningful activities that are essential to women.

She indicated that the YWCA is also working with Liberia women in every sector of the society in making sure they have basic needs. “We are engaged in empowerment, advocacy, counseling for both women and girls, especially for those that on the streets; from the length and birth of this country, we strongly believe that by doing this will help to put an end to the difficulties they face in their various communities.”

However, Madam Toweh said the Monrovia YWCA cannot do all by itself; there is need for national government and other stakeholders to join hands by undertaking initiatives that would benefit both women and girls across Liberia.

By Lewis S. Teh – Edited by Jonathan Browne