Celebrations marking the 161st Independence anniversary of Liberia have begun with an Intercessory Service on Sunday attended by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. In remarks during the service, the President said Liberians have to be thankful to the Almighty God for restoring Liberia’s positive image amongst the comity of nations.

	• Pres. Johnson Sirleaf attends Intercessory Service in Kakata, Margibi County. Photo: Executive Mansion

The President thanked the church for praying for the nation and urged religious institutions to continue offering prayers for the country and its people.

Also present at the service were the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ellen Loj, Cabinet Ministers and members of the diplomatic corps.

For his part, the District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church in Margibi, Rev. J. Alfred Barchue, urged Liberians to work with the current Government to achieve national development.  

Following the Intercessory Service, the President toured the C.H. Rennie Hospital in Kakata and thanked the medical staff for keeping the facility functional in the midst of challenges. The President also toured the King Gray area in Paynesville to sympathize with victims affected by Sunday’s flooding.

Meanwhile, President Johnson Sirleaf has pledged her Government’s support in improving the living conditions of Liberians in all parts of the country, including the Logan Town suburb of Monrovia.

The President made the pledge over the weekend when she commissioned a bus stop to aid traffic flow and pedestrian movement in the community. The bus stop, located opposite the Logan Town Cinema, was constructed by a local group known as the United Women in Action for Development. Accompanied by Logan Town Commissioner, Wilhelmetta Carlos, the Liberian leader received an enthusiastic welcome by hundreds of community residents.

An Executive Mansion release says the President also toured a children’s playground currently under construction. The playground, which is near the Logan Town Market, is being built by a private group,  Liberians United to Serve Humanity (LUSH), under the United Nations Mission in Liberia's (UNMIL’s) Quick Impact Project at a cost of US$25 thousand dollars.

The project is receiving financial support from the Sirleaf Market Women Fund. The Fund, which is the brainchild of President Johnson Sirleaf, was set up to provide financial support to improve the conditions of marketers across the country.