The power of positive collaboration extolled in Capemount

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has extolled what she referred to as ‘The Power of Positive Collaboration’ between local authorities and community members, adding “if they had not put their hands around authorities of the University of Liberia, the David A. Straz Technical and Vocational College in Garwular District, Grand Cape Mount County would not have been there today.”

An Executive Mansion release issued over the weekend said, President Sirleaf made the commendation on Saturday, July 30th, when she, along with Ambassador David A. Straz – a Benefactor and American humanitarian, visited the David A. Straz Technical and Vocational College of the University of Liberia in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County, as part of Liberia’s 169th Independence Anniversary. The visit was aimed at taking a look at some of the legacies of President Sirleaf and Amb. Straz.

President Sirleaf is quoted as saying even though she represents the Executive Branch of Government responsible to do all of its part – ranging from infrastructural development to the provision of basic social services such electricity, water, sanitation and education, the Executive cannot afford to do all of such things sometimes due to budget shortfall or lack of funding. 

She said, like Ambassador David A. Straz, who has always anticipated the growth of Liberia, it was good to turn to such people – something, which caused rehabilitation work of the facility to commenced in 2010.

The Liberian President used the occasion to appealed to students of the institution and citizens of Grand Cape Mount County to adhere to the advice of the President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, for the David A. Straz Technical and Vocational College which offers Agriculture, Engineering and Education for two and a half and three years respectively for engineering, to allow the institution to operate at the pace of offering “Associate of Arts degrees in related disciplines until qualified instructors are recruited to upgrade the institution to BSc levels.

President Sirleaf said while the government looked forward to Sime Darby to fulfill its social and corporate responsibility aimed at supporting institutions like the David A. Straz Technical and Vocational College, citizens should not cultivate the tendency of destroying the facility, as such action would affect the recruitment of qualified teachers to elevate the College to BSc. level.

For his part, Ambassador David A. Straz commended President Sirleaf, authorities of the University of Liberia and students of the Straz Technical and Vocational College for their cooperation in working to leave such beautiful legacy behind in the name of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-led administration.

Also making remarks, Grand Cape Mount County Senator Edward B. Dagoshe commended President Sirleaf and Mr. Straz, as well as the administration of the University of the Liberia for building a foundation for the future generation of Grand Cape Mount and Liberians at large including citizens from the Mano River Union Basin of Guinea. 

Senator Dagoseh appealed to President Sirleaf for pavement of the road linking Madina to Robertspot.  The David A. Straz Technical and Vocational College currently has 356 registered candidates for 2016/2017 Entrance and Placement Exam – the highest since the establishment of the school in 1983. 

The program, as part of Liberia’s 169th Independence Day Anniversary, was attended by several government officials, including citizens of Grand Cape Mounty County, according to the Executive Mansion release.