The Government of Liberia (GOL), through a bilateral agreement with the government and people of Japan, have signed the exchange of notes for the eighth round of Japan food aid to Liberia, in order to address Liberia’s food security challenge.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, October 18, 2021, Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Tsutomu Himeno, expressed his joy over the manner in which funds generated from Japanese food aid to Liberia have been expended by the Liberian government.
Ambassador Himeno said that the this round is not the end to the aid but rather the beginning of new development process, but look forward to seeing Liberia growing her own rice, stating that Liberia’s friend in Japan will continue the program.
Signing on behalf of the Liberian government, Foreign Minister, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., commended the people of Japan for their support to Liberia’s economic recovery and encouraged Liberian consumers to take advantage of the high quality and reasonable price of the Japanese donated rice, adding this eighth round of donated rice is in the tone of 250 million Japanese Yen.
Minister Kemayah further expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for their support, noting that the government is also working out modalities to grow rice in Liberia.
Minister Kemayah said the government is developing a master plan that will reduce reliance or dependence on the importation of rice into the country for national consumption.