The President of Liberia, H.E. George M. Weah, will be departing the country today, June 28, 2021 as head of a 15-man official delegation to Paris, France, to attend the Generation Equality Forum.
The Generation Equality Forum is a major global infection point for gender equality. This landmark effort is bringing together governments, corporations and change-makers from around the world to define and announce ambitious investments and policies. The result will be a permanent acceleration in equality, leadership, and opportunity for women and girls worldwide.
According to information gathered by the Hot Pepper and confirmed by an official dispatch from the Office of the Chief of Protocol, Republic of Liberia, the President of the Republic departs today as head of a 15-man high-powered delegation.
The 15-man delegation includes H.E. George Manner Weah, President, R.L.; Ambassador Finda Nora Bundoo, Chief of Protocol; Gen. Bob Dweh, Junior Aide-Camp; Sekou K. Jomanday, Aide to the President; and Capt. Moses K. Weefur, Presidential Pilot.
Other senior members of government accompanying the President include Dee-Maxwell Kamayah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Minister of Defense; Williametta Saydee-Tarr, Minister of Gender; Emmanuel L. Shaw, II, Advisor to the President; Ousmane Bamba, Advisor to the President; Bill T. Tweahway, NPA Managing Director; Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Commissioner of Liberia Maritime Authority; and Daintowon D. Pay-Bayee, Chairperson of the National Commission on Disabilities.
On June 10, 2021, H.E. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visited Liberia on a two-day official visit. He was received by President Weah and Foreign Minister Kamayah. The meetings among the leaders provided an opportunity to discuss the strengthening of French-Liberian relations, notably concerning development, the economy, security and French language and culture. During the Foreign Minster’s stay in Liberia, he inaugurated the new Alliance Francaise de Monrovia site.
With the help of the French Foreign Minister and the French Ambassador accredited to Monrovia, Michael Roux, upon President Weah’s visit to Paris to attend the Forum, Liberia is to benefit from a huge consignment of needed COVID-19 materials which the French government has made available.
The donated COVID-19 items weigh about 1,172kg and 7.8 M3. (test 1,120kg and 7.8 M3 +Osiris respirators and consumables, 52kg, etc), if possible, according to an informed source in the corridors of state power, the President will bring the much-needed emergency items on board of his charter flight.
According to the source, the items donated by the French government to the Liberian government include 40,000 (forty thousand) antigenic tests (Abbott-Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device) with several months of validity, and 4-Osiris3 transport respirators (with reserves of consumables for Osiris3).
The items mentioned supra will be effective in the fight against the third wave of the COVID-19. According to the Hot Pepper source, the donated items worth over US$1 million.
In a related development, the Hot Pepper has been hinted that there is no immediate plan to shut down the country. The paper was informed that the Government of Liberia (GOL) is mobilizing the needed items to combat the third wave of the COVID-19, and if there will be a lockdown it will be for a very short period of time.
In what appears to be a supporting statement, the Minister of Health and head of the Incident Management System, Dr. Wilhelmina S. Jallah, has attributed the on-going COVID-19 surge to human behavior, such as the lack of adherence to prevention measures, non-compliance/adherence to protocols on home-based care and weak cooperation with case investigation and contact tracing teams, self-treatment/medication at home contrary to national protocols, including numerous super spreaders events, such as parties and social events.
Dr. Jallah stated that the IMS has re-activated the Montserrado County Incident Management System, issuant of a revised protocol for in-coming travelers (e.g. isolation of travelers from five countries). According to her, there is continuation with testing for travelers and volunteers as well as enhanced surveillance, the maintenance of treatment of critical cases at Star Base, scaling-up of case investigation and following up contacts and management of a supervised home-based care for moderate cases.
Meanwhile, President Weah has emphasized on the importance of wearing mask, observing social distance and washing of hands. In a short message to the public, President Weah said, “Fellow citizens and residents, mask-wearing should be our everyday activity. Coronavirus virus does not know friends or family. This virus attacks everyone—big or small, old or young, rich or poor. Fellow citizens and residents, let us continue to wear our masks, observe social distance and often wash our hands. Let’s educate and help each other to be safe and healthy. Remember, the life you safe may be your own or mine. Wearing mask is very important, whether you are sick or you are well. Wear your mask, observe social distancing and wash your hands often. Be safe!”