At 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit In Istanbul: Min. Kemayah Calls For African Solutions To African Problems

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has called for African solutions to African problems and respect for the integrity and sovereign rights of all countries to self-determination in ways that better suit their respective national histories, experiences and conditions, regardless of size, strength, wealth and development levels of the countries. 

   Minister Kemayah, who represented President Dr. George Manneh Weah at the summit, said he entertained the hope and firmly believe with no shadow of doubt that job creation and empowerment of women and youth will serve as catalysts for the promotion of peace, security, stability and sustainable development on the African continent; and also, enable the young people to remain positively engaged to realizing inclusive, strong, prosperous, resilient and wholesome function societies which they all desire for the countries and peoples.

   Addressing the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday, December 17, 2021, the Liberian Foreign Minister said it is worth mentioning that the bond of friendship subsisting between the Republics of Liberia and Turkey has continued to grow since 1992 when Turkey opened its doors to Liberian students, noting that since then Turkey has continued to contribute to the man-power development of Liberia.

   “Every year, score of Liberians seize the opportunity for advanced studies in Turkey. For that, we are highly grateful, and hope that the scholarship quota for Liberia is increased to absorb many of our young people, who rightly so, remain desirous of educational advancement and progress.

   “The Government of Liberia (GOL) under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, has moved quickly to institute measures to stimulate the economy, in consonance with the stated goals of our flagship national development plan, the ‘Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD)’,” Minister Kemayah intoned.

   The Liberian Chief Diplomat recalled that Turkish investment in the mining sector of Liberia has absorbed a number of the young people, providing living wages and contributing to the national development process.

   Minister Kemayah indicated that he also notes the successful visit of the Turkish Coordination and Cooperation Agency (TIKA) to Liberia, and the fruitful discussions held toward exploring ways and means of collaborating on projects in the areas of education, health and agriculture, among others.

   “We hope those discussions will lead to the realization of meaningful program consisting of projects that will spur economic growth and joint initiatives between our two countries and peoples.

   “Let me once more thank His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Government and People of the Republic of Turkey for the holding of this 3rd Africa-Turkey Partnership Summit as we grapple with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and building back stronger together. We wish us all fruitful deliberations and a successful summit,” the Foreign Minister stated. 

   Minister Kemayah said, as they had gathered to chart a new course and identify common pathways toward the attainment of inclusive and mutually beneficial relations for sustainable development and shared prosperity, it is important to reflect on the gains and milestone achievements realized over the last two decades of the partnership, “in spite of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our relations as a global community and Family.

   “The volume of trade between Turkey and Africa over the last two decades increased to about United States 25 billion dollars by the end of 2020, and the number of Turkish embassies in Africa has jumped from Twelve (12) in 2002 to an estimated Forty-three (43) missions to date. There is a growing diplomatic presence of the Republic of Turkey in Africa, aimed at the attainment of enhanced partnership for common development and prosperity to the mutual benefits of our countries and Peoples.  

   “We wish to note, with thanks, the pronouncement made by His Excellency President Erdoğan that Turkey aims to increase its bilateral trade volume with Africa to United States 50 billion dollars, going forward. It is indeed a good sign and welcoming development, aimed at bolstering and actualizing the overarching objectives of the Africa-Turkey partnership, in the context of harnessing enhanced economic and trade relations for the common development and prosperity of our countries and peoples,” Minister Kemayah mentioned.

   He said, in the partnership cooperation with Turkey, it is a necessary imperative to look at new dimensions, with focus on strategic priority areas towards strengthening and deepening efforts aimed at shaping the energy future of Africa, promoting sustainable and green finance, science and technology, medical research and human capital development, climate and the environment, trade and investment geared towards creating more inclusive societies that provide hope and opportunities for mainly women and youth to participate in shaping a shared future for the common development and prosperity of all; hence, equal opportunity for all.

   “As we discuss economic and trade relations through a genuine partnership and common prosperity, we wish to remind this 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, regarding the continuous need for enhanced cooperation, aimed at accessing adequate COVID-19 vaccines, testing, diagnosis, treatments and other health products to complement what we have already received from our international partners and friends of Liberia and Africa.

   “As a consequence of the global health crisis, many African countries with smaller economies like Liberia experienced contractions and downward spiral as a result of import and export adjustments affecting primary import and export commodities, thereby causing related losses, and having devastating effects on the private sector as a whole, hence, undermining the capacity of government to adequately expand public services and substantially increase expenditures on health systems as well as achieving necessary structural adjustments and financial inflows to ensure rapid development and socio-economic rebound. 

   “As we continue with our deliberations at this historic 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit to identify new and common approaches toward a deeper and stronger Africa-Turkey Partnership, we submit that the relations should center more on mutual, rewarding and balanced cooperation for the African Union and the Peoples of Africa and the Republic of Turkey. Doing so the relations will continue to grow, and as well help our various countries to develop their economies with the sole objective of providing the most needed market-driven skills and job opportunities for the populations, especially, women and youth,” Minister Kemayah stated.