Hundreds of residents along towns and villages in Tewor and Porkpa Districts in Grand Cape Mount County braved the bad weather to greet President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on a one-day historic visit to the area. In spite of the heavy downpour, which caused the flooding of creeks along the way, the President made brief stops at nearly every town and village, including Tieni, Manbo, Jene Wonde, Damballa, and Guassay. There were also massive turnouts in Banjaja, Gbarga Town, and Bamballa, where residents chanted slogans and sang songs in support of the leadership of the Liberian President.

On stops along the way, President Johnson Sirleaf challenged residents of Tewor and Porkpa Districts to engage in self-help or community initiatives for self-empowerment to help subsidize Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.

An Executive Mansion release says the President urged the residents of Grand Cape Mount County to utilize their forests by getting involved in diversified agricultural programs involving crops other than rice and cassava. “You could also grow oil palm, oranges and bananas, and become self-sufficient rather than relying on others to do for you what you can do for yourselves,” the Liberian leader admonished the people of Cape Mount.

The President said her commitment to the development of all parts of the country remains unshaken. She made specific mention of the bad road conditions throughout the country, a fact which was very visible during her visit, as makeshift bridges were buried under overflowing creeks.

The visit by the Liberian leader to the area was her first since she became President. It was intended to assess development programs there and their impact on the residents of the districts.

In separate welcome statements, the resident expressed gratitude to the President for the historic visit. They recalled that she was the fourth Liberian President to visit the area, the other three being Presidents Charles D. B. King, William R. Tolbert and Samuel Kanyon Doe.

The residents stated that they remain supportive of Government’s efforts to develop the country, and called for an improvement in the social conditions of the area. “We want more farm-to-market roads, medical facilities and job opportunities,” they requested in their statement.

Source: Executive Mansion

 

President Sirleaf in Grand Cape Mount County

Citizens of Grand Cape Mount County welcome Sirleaf