Four United States Navy ships are expected to arrive in Liberia Monday at the start of a two week tour.  The U.S. Navy ships – the HSV Swift, the USS Ft. McHenry, the USNS Bobo and the USNS Wheat, will be in Liberia’s waters from March 17th – 31st, under the rubric of Africa Partnership Station.

The Executive Mansion quoting a communication from the United States Embassy, says the ships will deliver more than US $3-million worth of medical supplies to the Ministry of Health, JFK Hospital, Redemption Hospital, and the Logan Town Clinic.  More than 23 medical, dental, and veterinary professions will offer training and care at various sites near Monrovia during the two week period.

While in the country, the Navy Seabees and other sailors on board the ships will assist in the renovation of selected Liberian schools and clinics.  Some Seabees and Marines will provide training to AFL soldiers over the next couple of months. 

As part of the Africa Partnership Station, a Navy Brass Quintet will be performing at the American Corners in Monrovia, Buchanan, and Kakata. The visit by the US Navy ships under the Africa Partnership Station is the first in Liberia’s waters.

Cabinet Hits the Road for Retreat in Voinjama, Lofa County

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, at the head of the Liberian Cabinet, leaves Monrovia Monday morning for a Cabinet retreat in Voinjama, Lofa County.  En route to Lofa, the President and Cabinet will visit a number of areas including the Tumutu Agriculture Training Program, run by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Landmines Action for Ex-combatants in Salala, Bong County.

• President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf presided over a session of consultations involving members of the National Legislature on Friday March 14, 2008, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.

Photo: /EMansion

The President and Cabinet officials will also inspect renovation work at the Zorzor Rural Teachers Training Institute and participate in a program organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Barkedu, involving various Women, traditional and Elders Council.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the four-day retreat will include sessions beginning Tuesday, at which time the Cabinet will discuss and review its development initiatives, under the four pillars government’s development agenda. During the Voinjama Retreat, the Cabinet will also discuss a National Food and Nutrition Strategy for the country.

Discussions will also center on the National budget for fiscal year 2008-2009, as well as issues involving Civil Service, relating to payroll and other matters.  The Cabinet will also discuss a Used Car Policy being proposed by the General Services Agency.

The release, quoting the calendar of events, also speaks of an interactive session between the President, the Superintendent Council and the Cabinet, as well as a Consultative Meeting with Stakeholders, to discuss development issues with the Kolahun/Ford Foundation Community Team and the Lofa University Students Association.

While in Lofa, the Liberian leader and cabinet will Thursday participate in a dedicatory ceremony of the Telewoyan Hospital, renovated with funding provided by the government of Switzerland.

The Cabinet retreat in rural Liberia is the second under the Administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  Last year, the President and her Cabinet traveled by road to the South-east county of Maryland, as part of an initiative to experience first hand the challenges confronting ordinary citizens in the rural parts of the country.

Legislative and ExecutiveHold Consultations on the PRS

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the dreams and aspirations of majority of Liberians are embedded in the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) document. The President noted that the consultations which have been taking place to produce the PRS clearly articulate the hope of Liberians.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader spoke Friday at the Foreign Ministry where she presided over a session of consultations involving members of the National Legislature.  The session covered Infrastructure and Basic Services.

The consultations brought together leaders of the executive and legislative branches of government as part of broader national consultations on the Poverty Reduction Strategy document. The President stressed the importance of the consultations, describing the interaction as one which enables legislators to receive more information as they go back to their constituents.

President Johnson Sirleaf emphasized that the PRS will be a live document, which will be reviewed and monitored where necessary, to meet evolving circumstances. She said the document will serve as a guide to the country’s development activities, and guide development partners as they continue to assist in the national recovery efforts.

Presentations at the consultation included a Presentation on the County and Regional Feedback, delivered by Planning and Economic Affairs Minister Dr. Toga McIntosh; and a Discussion of the PRS Education Proposals by Education Minister Dr. Joseph Korto.

Others included the PRS Public Health Proposals delivered by Deputy Health Minister Tornorlah Varpilah; a Discussion on the PRS Infrastructure Proposals by Public Works Minister Luseni Donzo and a Discussion on the PRS Electricity Proposals by Lands, Mines and Energy Minister Eugene Shannon. Also present at the consultation were the Vice President Dr. Joseph Boakai, House Speaker Alex Tyler and Deputy Speaker Togba Mulbah.

In another development, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has described the Todee Mission School as one for Achievers. The President spoke of the need to revamp the institution to fill in the void its absence has created in the education system of the country.

The Liberian leader spoke Friday at the Presbyterian Church in Monrovia, when she participated in a fund drive for scholarships as well as a campus renovation fund drive of the Todee Mission School.

A check for US $1,600 United States Dollars was donated by the President as her personal contribution towards the school’s fund drive. She praised the Chairman of the School’s Board, Mrs. Ophelia Freeman-Johnson, for her commitment towards rebuilding the school.