By: Laymah Kollie
Buchanan: As he officially ascends his obligation, the newest United States of America Ambassador to Liberia Mark Toner has outlined his vision for Liberia. The Ambassador in an exclusive interview with Grand Bassa female Journalists recently unveiled ‘strategic partnership’ as his key focus to acquire in Liberia.
“Strategic partnership, that’s what we want. That’s the relationship we want for Liberia” the Ambassador said
He believes Liberia as a country still lack the capacity to establish and maintain a strategic partnership with other national and international communities based on challenges that are hindering its image. In the Ambassador’s statement, corruption is a key factor that contributes to hinder Liberia’s progress, stressing that the country needs private investors to help boost its economy and improve infrastructure development but these things cannot be achieved when a country is experiencing massive public corruption.
The Ambassador’s vision is in pursuit of seeing Liberia advance to a level of tackling its challenges and opening its business climate to international private investors. In acquiring this, the U.S Representative told female media practitioners in Buchanan that the country will have to make some really hard decisions in the governance process, especially corruption as a pillar.
“We want to see Liberia tackle its few remaining challenges that’s holding it back from becoming a strategic partner. We want to have a partner with Liberia, that’s gonna require Liberia to make some really hard decisions to overcome some crucial challenges. One of the challenges is corruption”
Statesman Toner however encouraged President Joseph Boakaito double his efforts in the fight against corruption, nothing, that people only invest where they can trust and if the disease (corruption) is not cure international investors will draw back. “I just hope President Boakai is serious about tackling corruption. Having a corrupt government ruin trust in the government and secondly, any outside investor will draw back from investing in Liberia” he lamented.
Also, Speaking on the long standing relationship between Liberia and the United States of America, the newest Ambassador said the relationship between both countries have been a strong one. Acknowledging the dependency of Liberia on the U.S in the process. He recounted the financial and infrastructure assistance the nation has benefited from the United States since 2003.
“This relationship between U S and Liberia strong. I feel like it’s been one base on dependence. We give a lot of assistance to Liberia it’s money well spent to get Liberia to where it is today”.
Meanwhile, in relations to the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, Amb. Toner thinks the nation is really but needs help to fulfill that responsibility. Highlighting financial resources, technical capacity building as key areas Liberia needs assistance in having a functional court system.
“Yes, with help! This is money worth spend to help build their technical capabilities. It is a system to help them build their capacities. At the end of the day when capacities are built then you can have a court system that is functional”
The Ambassador then reaffirmed U.S willingness to support Liberia in establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court. According to Amb. Toner, the U.S have started conversations with other embassies and the international community on offering help to Liberia for its court establishment.
“Yes we are willing to offer that help. We have started conversations with other Embassies and other ambassadors and international communities”
