President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has solicited the government of Denmark’s support in Liberia’s reconstruction. She made the call today in Copenhagen, Denmark at the start of a two-day state visit.

	• Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf & top Dane official

During bilateral talks with Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen and Foreign Minister Dr. Per Moller, the Liberian leader spoke of what she referred to as the modest progress made by her Government thus far, but added that more needed to be done.

She spoke of the need to do more for small scale Liberian farmers and solicited Danish support for a micro-credit scheme in this regard. She emphasized that the setting up of such a micro-credit scheme would be a major remedy to the growing problems stemming from rising prices in strategic commodities.

Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf also called for Danish support in renovating the Freeport of Monrovia as well as the need to build the capacity of Liberians.

The President also requested support for internally displaced persons in the wake of returning Liberian refugees from Ghana. She stressed that the expectations of Liberians for the government to succeed is high, but observed that the bureaucracy which governs the activities of some international organizations does not help the country’s development agenda.

For his part, Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen praised President Johnson Sirleaf for the progress she has made during her two-year presidency. He said she succeeded in bringing hope and progress to Liberia. He added that the Liberian leader’s efforts have led to a new focus on Liberia due to the remarkable turnaround of the country.

Prime Minister Rasmussen said he believed that Liberia and Africa needed more of the likes of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, adding that his government will stand beside her in Liberia’s march towards national recovery.

President Johnson Sirleaf also served as keynote speaker at the Africa Commission Forum today. The Africa Commission brings together political leaders with the aim of fighting poverty and bringing about positive change across the continent.

The President said a wind of change has blown across Africa. She observed that positive developments on the continent do not get the attention they deserve.

The President spoke of the rising number of unemployed youths and HIV-AIDS as major challenges. President Johnson Sirleaf said Liberia is still a fragile state on the threshold of being a post-conflict success story.

She called on the Commission to employ a sense of urgency when it deals with fragile states like Liberia, adding that the possibility of the country slipping back into conflict remains high.

Those traveling with the President include Monsterrado County Senator Hannah Brent and Hon. Sadia Massaquoi, Liberia’s Ambassador to Denmark.

President Johnson-Sirleaf Off to Denmark and USA

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf left the country Tuesday, April 14 to join 17 other world leaders in launching the Africa Commission in Denmark.

	• Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf

The Commission, intended to formulate new strategies to strengthen international cooperation with Africa, is being proposed and chaired by Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

While in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, the Liberian President will hold talks with Prime Minister Rasmussen and other Danish officials to reactivate bilateral relations between the two countries.

The President, who left the country late Tuesday afternoon, travels to the United States for a two-week visit following the four-day official trip to Denmark.

While in America, President Johnson Sirleaf will participate in a number of events, including fund raising activities for the Liberia Education Trust (LET) and undertake medical exams.

The Liberian leader will also use the U.S. visit to take off for a few days’ rest.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Ambulai Johnson, will coordinate the affairs of State, in close consultations with the Cabinet and the Vice President, Dr. Joseph Boakai, during the President’s absence from the country.