Monrovia-President Weah closing remarks!

REMARKS BY
HIS EXCELLENCY DR. GEORGE MANNEH WEAH
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA AT THE

CLOSING SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC DIALOGUE
NEW MINISTERIAL COMPLEX
TUBMAN BOULEVARD
CONGO TOWN
MONROVIA, LIBERIA 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

The Vice President of Liberia, Hon. Jewel Howard Taylor, is abroad on a Special Mission, and extends her greetings to all of you for a brilliant and successful National Economic Dialogue;

Hon. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives;

Hon. President Pro-Tempore and Members of the Senate;

His Honor the Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and Members of the Judiciary;

The Dean and Members of the Cabinet;

The Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Bishops, Prelates, and Members of the Clergy;

Chiefs and Traditional Leaders;

Political and Business Leaders;

Officials of Government;

The Chairman and Members of the Independent National Dialogue Secretariat;

The Leadership and Representatives of our Support Partners for the National Economic Dialogue, including the UNDP, USAID, the European Union, and ECOWAS;

Distinguished Panelists and Moderators;

Special Guests;

Marketers, Students;

Members of the Fourth Estate;

My Fellow Citizens;

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have now come to the end of this historic National Economic Dialogue Conference on the Liberian economy.

From all indications, I have learned that the discussions and debates during the various High Level Panel Discussions, and Break-up Group Deliberations, were focused and frank, and that there was a robust exchange of views and cross-fertilization of ideas in the search for practical and acceptable solutions to the persistent problems which beset our economy.

This is clearly evident by the contents of the Stakeholders Consensus Document which has just been read, as well as the General Remarks just made by the representatives of the Private Sector, Civil Society, and the UNDP, which have preceded my Closing Remarks.

In my view, you have fulfilled your mandate well, which was two-fold: firstly, to stimulate a broad-based conversation among all stakeholders within the Liberian economy, concerning the best and most feasible way forward to sustainable growth and development.

And secondly, to derive out of this dialogue a road map that would set out a clearly-defined and practical set of policy measures, strategies, and programs that would be aimed at enhancing speedy economic recovery and ensuring sustained economic growth.

These proposed measures are clearly set out in the Consensus Document, which has just been read, and in the Implementation Matrix. I want to assure you that my Government will take these proposals into urgent and careful consideration. Our focus will be on implementation, although timing will be a matter for synchronization and harmonization with existing programs and policies.

To this end, we will establish four (4) Implementation Sub-Committees of the Cabinet, in congruence with the four major topics that formed the agenda for discussion during this Dialogue Conference, namely:

1. Cabinet Committee on Public Finance and Management
2. Cabinet Committee on Investment Promotion and Private Sector Growth
3. Cabinet Committee on Youth Unemployment and Skills Development, and
4. Cabinet Committee on Peace Building and Reconciliation.

These four Cabinet Committees will be tasked with oversight on harmonization and implementation in these four areas, and will report to the full Cabinet from time to time on their progress.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

The deliverables from this National Economic Dialogue consist of much more than the summary documents that have been presented at this Closing Session. There is, for example, the entire set of Conference Minutes and records containing speeches and presentations. As they form the body of evidence from which the Consensus Document has been distilled, it is my belief that they should be preserved in the archives of a now-to-be permanent Independent Secretariat for National Economic Dialogue.

Additionally, I wish to propose that the National Economic Dialogue Conference should take place on an annual basis, in order to conduct an annual review of the progress that has been made on implementation of the road map presented here today, as well as to analyze each year’s current economic situation so that the necessary adjustments, revisions, and amendments can be made to programs and policies.

Furthermore, I wish to announce that I will shortly appoint a High Council of Economic Advisors in the Office of the President. This High Council will consist of both Liberian and international experts, renown for their expertise and experience in their respective disciplines, who will serve on a voluntary basis. They will be required to meet on a quarterly basis, to review our economic policies and programs, and advise my Government accordingly.

Let me put you on notice that several of you who have participated in this National Economic Dialogue will be tapped to serve on the High Council of Economic Advisors. So let it come as no surprise to you.

And now, I wish to thank all of you for your participation in this important Conference, especially those of you who traveled from far. I wish to assure you that your efforts and contributions to our National Economic Dialogue will not go in vain. I will ensure that the People of Liberia reap positive benefits from all that you have done here over the past three days.

In closing, let me remind all Liberians, regardless of political affiliation, religion, creed, or tribe; whether resident or in diaspora, that we all have a responsibility and an obligation to contribute our ideas and suggestions for the revitalization of our economy.

We are all aware of the problems, most of which have existed for a very long time, and we have all suffered because of them. But this is not the time to point fingers or to apportion blame, for this will not solve anything. In fact, it is our very awareness of the extent of the problems and the hardships that they have caused, that moved us to seek leadership in order to try to resolve them.

I now have that responsibility, as well as the opportunity, to find a new way forward. I welcome your constructive criticisms. But, more importantly, I invite your positive contributions to this national dialogue.

In addressing the concerns raised by a previous speaker regarding that there should be more women in my Government, l want you to know that “more” already implies “more than one”. However, if the intention is to suggest that you want “additional” women in government, then let me assure you that we are on the path to employ more women. As Liberia’s “Feminist-in-Chief”, my commitment to inclusiveness of women at all levels of leadership and governance in our society remains firm and unwavering.

Working together, we can make a difference. Let us always chose dialogue over confrontation, and work in harmony to strengthen and sustain our hard-won peace, because, without peace, our world will be difficult.
May God bless you all.

I thank you.