Boakai: diaspora is major contributor to development

erian artist Sidibe Musa (left) presents potrait to VP Boakai

Liberia’s Vice President Joseph N. Boakai says Liberians in the diaspora are major contributors to the development of their country in terms of aid, supplies, remittances and support for overall national development efforts.

Speaking at the Liberian embassy near Paris on Saturday when he met with Liberians residing in France, who were joined by the President of the Liberian Association in the Netherlands, Abraham Fofana, Vice President Boakai called on Liberians to always Think Liberia, Love Liberia and contribute meaningfully to Building Liberia, a slogan that has become a national cliché in many quarters in Liberia.

He extolled members of the Liberian community in France for the contributions, dedication and commitment to their country despite living in a foreign country.

He recognized the many contributions Liberians in the diaspora continue to make to the economic and infrastructural development of the country, asking them to also remain engaged during the 2017 election period.

Liberians go to the polls later this year in presidential and legislative elections. VP Boakai will be among the candidates seeking the presidency.

Vice President Boakai speaks to Liberians in Paris

He applauded Liberians residing in France for their efforts made during Liberia’s fight against the ebola virus.

He said their contributions and the resilience of the Liberian people helped end the spread of the virus, thus putting the lives of the people back in order.

The vice president called on Liberians with specialized skills, higher education and vital transferable acknowledge acquired abroad to always think about returning home to assist their country with those needed talents and skills. He noted that their talents and education are vital to Liberia’s transformation.

Members of the Liberian community heaped praises on the vice president and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the magnificent transformation that has taken place in the country under the current government.

A group picture after the program at the embassy in Paris

Many of them said Liberia has made tremendous transformation in several areas including health care, roads, education and infrastructure in many areas including rural counties which has encouraged growth and improved  the lives of the people.

Later during the program, an acclaimed Liberian artist residing in France, Sidibe Musa, unveiled a painting of the vice president to the amazement and appreciation of the audience.

In another development,  Vice President Boakai and France’s Minister of State for Development and Francophonie, Jean-Marie Le Guen, on Friday held talks in Paris centered around the promotion of Liberia-France bilateral relations, as well as, enhancing development, trade and cooperation.

Vice President Boakai praised the French government for its many assistance and welcomed more development in mining, fisheries, agriculture and tourism.

Minister Le Guen listens as Vice President Boakai makes a point

He also emphasized the need to see more improvements and assistance in the areas of electrical power, technical and vocational education, road network, information and technology and transportation.

The officials discussed the strong ties and cooperation existing between the two countries, thus seeing the need to review the issuance of French visa in collaboration with other EU Embassies with offices in Monrovia.

Minister Le Guen assured Vice President Boakai of the need to review the status of the French institute in Monrovia, Alliance Francaise, to have it revamped and operational, as well as, to discuss the return of Air France to the country.

He said Liberia remains one of its allies in Africa, and having a stronger partnership to engender  development and cooperation will be monumental and in the best interest of the two countries.

 

Isaac Yeah