Remarks By
Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
President of the
At
Programs Marking the
First Anniversary Celebration
of Her
Inauguration as President of the
Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The
Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
Posted On January 19, 2007
 |
| (L to R) UN Alan Doss, Min. Gayflor, President Sirleaf & VP Boakai |
Today is a great day. It is a great day for the women of
Let me again use this opportunity to
thank you all for the decision you made in November 2005 during the
elections. You did not go wrong!
One year ago, I raised my hand and
swore to the Constitutional Oath of Office as President of our beloved
Republic. In my inaugural address, I
pledged change, a break with the past and with business as usual. I pledged to restore hope in our nation and
in our peoples. I pledged to heal our national wounds and reunite our
people. I pledged to revive and improve
our economy and create job opportunities. I pledged a new birth of freedom and
democracy and the rule of law in our land.
I pledged an agenda of renewal and progress. On that historic day, I pledged accountability and transparency in
the management of the affairs and resources of our country.
It was high noon that day. The air surrounding the inaugural grounds and
throughout our country was euphoric and expectant. Our nation and people were and remain hopeful.
Today, we have come a full 365-day circle and
it is only fair to take stock of our progress, our challenges and of the work
that lies ahead of us individually and collectively.
But, before we do so, let me ask each
of you in this place as well as those who are under my voice by radio, to stand
and together observe three minutes of silence in thanksgiving to Almighty God
whose mighty and wise Hands guided and steered us and the affairs of this
Republic during these difficult, but rewarding twelve months.
Thank you!
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| President Sirleaf Dances with Gospel Artist Marion Cassell (L) and Cultural Ambassador Juli Endee (center) |
Peace, Security and Stability
At the end of our first year, I am
proud to say that, albeit still fragile, our country is at peace. Our country
is secure, and it is stable poised to begin anew. This is one major achievement for which each
and every Liberian should be grateful and proud. It is one achievement for which we should all
be thankful to our security forces, old and new. We are thankful also to our sub-regional,
regional and global partners and friendly Governments. They have stood by and with us. They have sent their young men and women and
contributed enormous resources to create and maintain the peace which we enjoy today. We also thank the Vice President, Ambassador
Joseph N. Boakai and his able office staff for all the support we received
during the past year.
Equally important, we are grateful to
the Liberian people for their understanding and contribution to the peace and
stability we are experiencing today.
Only a year ago, some thought that our country could never know
peace. Only a year ago, not too many of
people believed that the national rebirth we spoke of and witness today was
possible and within our grasp. And I
know that there are still some out these who believe that peace and stability
are only here with us for a short while.
But together, we can and will defy
and prove that they are wrong.
Together, we will ensure that our
peace, our security, our stability, and our democracy remain irreversible-and
strong. The challenge that we do not go
back into conflict is ours. Let us face
it together with all the resolve within us.
My Fellow Liberians;
National Reconstruction and Rebuilding
I am proud to say today that our
reconstruction and rebuilding efforts have taken on greater dimension. We are beginning to see fruits from these
efforts. Hard choices had to be made
and difficult decisions taken. We are proud because if we consider what our
government inherited a year ago, and see where we are today as a nation and as
a people; there is cause for all of us to be proud.
¨
A
year ago, the Security Sector Reform and famous G-Map Programs were started by
the then National Transitional Government of
¨
A
year ago, open corruption was largely the order of the day. To be honest in government was seen as being
stupid. Today, we all know the
story. If you misuse the public thrust,
you will be brought to justice. Today,
we are setting the standards not only for the past, but for the current and for
future governments.
¨
A
year ago wastage in our economy was felt or seen in various sectors and
areas. Today, more than 17,000 ghosts
have been discovered and removed from public payrolls. Total leakages in our state owned
enterprises revenue baskets have been reduced considerably.
¨
A
year ago, thousands of our children languished at home or on the streets in
petty trading because of the lack of means to pursue an education. Consequently, we have enforced compulsory
primary education which has led to 80% increase in the enrollment at the
primary level, the majority of which are girls who have been traditionally
neglected.
¨
365
days ago, there was not a place where one could switch on public lights in our
country. Opening public water taps did
not exist a year ago. Toady, in a small
but modest way, some of our institutions and some residents in some parts of
our capital city and a few other cities can turn on public lights and water.
¨
A
year ago we inherited a nation with a largely non functional road system. Today, we are fast at work trying to repair
our primary roads, reopening secondary roads and repairing bridges in both
urban and rural areas.
¨
A
year ago, our villages and towns were dead with very little economic and social
activities going on, while their people were in refugee and displaced
camps. Traveling in the country side
brought dismay and a sense of helplessness.
Today, men and women, young and old, and nearly all displaced have
returned and many are gearing up to return to start their farms, to reconstruct
their villages, to improve the social and economic conditions of the counties.
¨
For
the first six months of the fiscal year, reported public revenue inflow stood
at US$31million. In six months of our
first fiscal year, public revenue at US$74million almost doubled comparing
calendar years 2006 and 2005, we can boast of a 40% revenue increase.
¨
A
year ago when we took the oath of office, the government was indebted to
various persons who had rendered services; civil servants, the security services,
foreign diplomatic missions, former legislators, suppliers, pensioners. These obligations, many of them bogus totaled
over US$900million. Many of these with
legitimate claims had not taken pay for a long period of time. Today, some of those outstanding obligations
have been met, pensions have been increased and we are current in payroll to just
about everyone for the period of our stewardship.
¨
A
year ago, concession rights for our forest and mining resources were tilted
against our national interest. Today, we
have in place a new forest law and a model framework for concessions that is
compliant with international standards and protective of our national
interest. With this the sanctions on
our forest operations have been lifted.
¨
A
year ago we took the position that many of the concession agreements and
contracts, some ratified by our National Legislature, did not meet the national
interest test. We have reviewed some 100
of these, many of which will be cancelled and others renegotiated to ensure
appropriate benefits to government. The
most important of these, Mittal Steel, has been concluded which will bring an over
US$900million impetus to our economy.
¨
A
year ago, our national budget was a hidden secret. How much money government mobilized and how
it was spent were all done in secret and out of public view. 365 days later, regular fiscal reports are
published for public consumption, and the national budget an open book. We have also made public audit reports and UN
Panel Reports, taking the risk of a misunderstanding of the assessment and
findings.
¨
A
year ago, our government functionaries lacked the requisite capacities to do
the job. Today, we can boast of an
inclusive and competent government comprising professionals who have
demonstrated leadership and ability and vast experience. We were convinced that
in order to deliver on our promises, we must have a government that is
efficient, honest, and accountable. I am
glad to say that by and large the cadre of managers currently serving in our
Administration brings these qualities to governance.
¨
In
this regard, we are proud to report that the 21 person Cabinet is composed of 5
Unity Party 6 from the several opposition parties and 10 who have no avowed
political association. More importantly,
5 of our Cabinet members are women in strategic positions, representing 25% and
at the Deputy and Assistant level we have reached an average of 40%. Moreover, 5 or our 15 Superintendents are
women representing 33% and 2 or the 5 Associate Justices after confirmation of
the recently nominated will be women. I
dare say our record on women role in government is good.
¨
A
year ago, we could hardly talk of support beyond government and its few
partners. Today, we have mobilized over
US$5million form private individuals and Institutions to support education of
our girls, improvement of our market place and support for Liberian businesses.
¨
A
year ago our national image abroad was more of shame and disgrace with
Liberians concealing their identities in international circles. Today, we have regained our lost image and
have begun improving the confidence level of our partners. Today, we walk once
more with pride and dignity, as our country is visited by eminent leaders and
we are invited to participate in important international events.
¨
A
year ago we were declared a non performer by the IMF and other international
financial intermediaries. Today we have
successfully concluded a program under these requirements and are now receiving
pre arrears clearance grants with their representation in place in country.
My Fellow Liberians;
Challenges
The first year of our Administration
has been a year of great challenges. We
have not flinched from confronting the challenge of leadership and governance,
making some very difficult decisions along the way. Many challenges still remain. These include:
¨
The
need to reorder the mindset and attitude of our post-conflict society –
managing the anxiety about change and the raised expectations fueled by more
than 14 years of deprivation and unmitigated sufferings. This is a huge undertaking, given the rumblings
associated with lost power, privilege, influence,
and access to resources. But, as in most
instances, such rumblings are ephemeral.
Our obligation is to continue the job we have started, build upon the
progress and adherent in all our spheres of activities, continue to demonstrate
and assure our citizenry that our Administration is committed to creating a
democratic society that guarantees individual liberties and opportunities for
all.
¨
The
need to develop a coherent and holistic economic agenda and policies that respond to our vision for
renewing
¨
The
need to stimulate activities in our productive sectors – mining, agriculture,
by creating the conditions to attract private sector investment and capital.
¨
The
need to be more innovative in the creation of jobs for the thousands of our
youths who remain idle.
¨
The
need to continue and enhance the implementation our reform agenda to bring the
structural change and transformation which our country needs.
¨
The
need to provide the means to strengthen the pillars of integrity, including the
judiciary and the General Auditing Commission.
¨
The
need to do more to enhance the processes of reconstruction by greater support
to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Independent Human Rights
Commission and by bringing leaders of political parties within a cooperative
framework for the socio-economic development and progress of our nation. As we begin the second year of our
Presidency, we will give priority to our effort to reach out more. We will encourage leaders of other political
parties to reach out, as well.
¨
The
need to continue and accelerate the rehabilitation of infrastructure which
includes schools, roads, health facilities with our limited resources and
national capacities.
My Fellow Liberians:
Conclusion
As we bring down the curtain on our
first year, it is sad to note the unfortunate state of affair in the Honorable
First Branch of Government. This comes
at a time when we should all be collectively assessing and commending our collaboration
and our progress even as we recommit to do more in the future. While respecting their independence and
authority, I can only call upon them, all of them, to consider the harmful
indications to our national endeavors as a result of that which is being played
in the local and foreign press.
Finally, I sincerely thank each and
every one of our citizens and partners for their trust and for choosing the
path of peace and security and stability.
I thank my colleagues who lead and
managed the other two branches of our Government for their cooperation and
collaboration.
I thank members of my Cabinet and all
others who served in the Executive Branch of our Government for their sacrifice
and contributions.
We should all be glad for the
progress but mindful that much work lies ahead of us. Many difficult challenges have confronted us
and many more will confront us. We must
resolve to meet each with the same resolve and valor with which we have met and
dealt with the challenges of the first year of our Presidency.
As we begin the journey of our second
year, I renew to each of you, our citizens, at home and abroad, the same
commitment and dedication and zeal that have characterized our first year as
President. We shall continue to work to
further nurture and consolidate our peace to ensure that your Government is more
responsive to your concerns and needs.
We shall continue to do more to
create jobs and to give living expression to our pledge to make “Papa Na Come” meaningful in each of your
and our lives.
It has been a good year but a tough
first year. It has been a fruitful but a
challenging first year. But through it
all, each and every one of us remained blessed.
May God continue to Bless and Prosper
Our Nation!
I thank you!
© 2007 by The Perspective
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