Ganta, Nimba County – The Ministry of Internal Affairs with support from the Cater Center has convened a three-day conference with traditional leaders of Liberia.
Speaking at the start of the event on Monday, June 4 in Ganta, Nimba County, the Deputy Minister for Operations at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emmett K. Reeves said the meeting with the chiefs and traditional leaders marks the beginning of series of engagements geared towards explaining the meaning of the Pro-poor agenda, its impacts and roles of every Liberian including government ministries and agencies.
“From now to Wednesday, we intend to use this opportunity to bring different government leaders to brief the chiefs on how to carry the new government’s pro-poor agenda to the people. They will also explain how pro-poor agenda will impact rural communities and the expected roles of traditional leaders,” Deputy Minister Reeves explained.
He further thanked the head of the National Traditional Council of Liberia, Chief Zanzan Karwar for the cooperation and urged the chiefs to take the conference seriously so as to get an appreciation of the Pro-poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity and adequately educate their people upon their return to their respective counties.
Since the announcement of the government’s Pro-poor Agenda, President Weah continues to come under staunch criticisms from a segment of the public for his administration’s failure to craft a policy document that; although officials say the process of crafting the document is ongoing and is expected to be completed by July this year.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the organizing committee, D. Emmanuel Wheinyue noted that the Minister of Internal Affairs, Varney A. Sirleaf’s decision to hold the conference is based on his observation that the Pro-poor Agenda is totally misinterpreted in some quarters. in some quarters.
He added that the ministry intends to use the gathering in seeking backing from traditional leaders to actively support President George M. Weah and the pro-poor agenda.
The Conference is being graced by development partners and some diplomatic missions.
Day one was marked by presentations from several Ministries and agencies including the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning, Internal Affairs and Education, Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the Judiciary and the National Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders.
In his presentation, the Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Augustus Flomo asserted that the Pro-poor Agenda is geared towards initiating and implementing basic social programs that will benefit the poor people.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of the Liberia Immigration Services, Col. Lemuel Reeves called on the traditional leaders to cooperate with the LIS in protecting the porous borders of Liberia.
As a way of fostering cooperation between the citizens, Commissioner Reeves said the LIS has established a Community Engagement Group to work with the community to enable the LIS effectively discharge its duties.
Meanwhile, the conference continues today with more presentations and interactions and is expected to end on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
It is being attended by over 200 participants including senior traditional leaders from all 15 counties, members of the National Council of Chiefs, Paramount chiefs, Clan chiefs, General tow\n chiefs, Traditional women leaders and members of the Tribal Governors Council of Liberia and the Mano River Union Women from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast.
