Lofa County Coordinator of the Women Right and Democracy Centre (Word-Centre), Florence K. Ballah says the 30% of the women in government to which President Sirleaf promised to send to the 52nd National Legislature as bill for consideration is insufficient.

She said such bill will definitely have a strong restriction on the growth of women in the country recognizing that President Sirleaf has taken a fine step to incorporate women in her government.  “That is a fine step, but I disagree as that bill will restrict women’s growth in this country in the years to come,” she noted.

Madam Ballah made the statement recently in Voinjama, Lofa County, during another observance of the International Women’s Day which took place on Saturday, March 8, 2008.

Recently, President Sirleaf recalled that a United Nation (UN) resolution calls for 30% of women in government to which the Liberian leader promised to send a bill to the National Legislature for enactment.

She called for 50% women participation in government, adding that she has a vision that the women will take over 50% in the Liberian society. “I have a vision that women will take over 50% participation in every sphere of our society in this country,” she said.

In fact, Madam Ballah sees that even the illiterate rural women will be strongly involved in their homes and communities. “I will see that even the illiterate rural women will be strongly involved in their homes, communities, etc, but this bill will tie our hands,” Madam Ballah said.

Madam Ballah then recommended that fellow women to go back to their previous campaign strategies using equity then equality, urging them to respect and uphold every responsibility entrusted to them and do their best.

She spoke on the topic: “Supporting Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women”, with the sub topic, “Gender Equity Then Equality”. She challenged the women that tomorrow and the future is in their hands.

“Be the best in what you are doing so that you will be remembered for that. Don’t look down upon yourselves as a woman, you are special,” she said.

Liberia Health Sector Gets Boost

A Liberian surgical instrument technician based in the United States of America, Robert Sumo James has disclosed plans to establish a surgical instrument repair center in the Country.

Mr. James, who has 37 years of professional experience in surgical instrument repairs, has worked with several health institutions in the America, Europe and Africa.

He told The Analyst over the weekend in Monrovia that the repairs center when established will be called the Liberia Surgical Instrument Repairs Incorporated.

“I own and operate the Independent Surgical Instruments in New Jersey. This business is what I have mainly been doing over the years in the States,” Mr. James added.

He noted that preliminary talks have already begun with health authorities in the country, including Health and Social Welfare Minister, Walter T. Gwenigale and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bernice Dahn and discussed his intentions with them.

In his term of reference for the entity, Mr. James indicated that the company is prepared to eliminate the hurdles of importation, and making services available to the government as well as private medical institutions and facilities, making them locally accessible for immediate compliance with health needs.

“The availability of such an establishment is more than a need, it constitutes a major fiber in restoring the health and physical condition of Liberians throughout the country,” he emphasized.

Mr. James noted that the establishment of the Surgical Instrument Repairs and supplies company will help our country to save money, noting that it is an initiative towards resolving some of the problems that existed in a postwar rebuilding effort.

According to the Surgical Specialist, his company affiliation and association with various major surgical instruments, manufacturing and distributing companies in the United States, would ease the problem of supplying any instruments or equipment to meet the health needs of the people.

“We will further provide employment in every aspect of the operation of this design thereby enhancing the employment capacity of our country. We will have surgical instrument repairs training programs,” he said.

He also noted that while it can be expected that the central distribution center will be in the nation’s capitol, Monrovia, appropriation is being considered for facilities to be established in rural areas.

“I sincerely believe that we can save our country money on new surgical instruments purchasing by repairing what is already in inventory,” Mr. James said. The surgical specialist said an initial investment capital of US$50,000 is being earmarked for the establishment.