PAYNESVILLE CITY-LIBERIA-The Head of the United States Delegation at the Bicentennial Celebrations has urged the Liberian Government to provide adequate funding to anti-graft institutions in the Country.
Madam Dana Banks said:” Adequate funding to integrity institutions, such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), General Auditing Commission (GAC), and Financial Intelligent Unit (FIU), is the surest way of fighting corruption.”
According to her, corruption in Liberia remains a major source of robbing citizens and the Country of needed development and economic empowerment.
Madam Banks assured that the United States Government will support the fight against corruption, but added that such support must be augmented by Liberians.
The Special Assistant to President Joe Biden and Senior Director for Africa National Security Council paid tribute to the Liberian Government for organizing the occasion, which generates a sober reflection of Liberia-United States historical ties.
She then symbolically presented an act recognizing the sovereignty of Liberia.
At the same time, the United State Government and the Government of Liberia have signed a fifty-five-million US Dollars Health partnership agreement.
The agreement was signed between the two countries minutes after the official launch of the Bicentennial, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville City.
The US Government said the agreement demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening Liberia’s health system, through combating malaria, advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The agreement will support maternal, neonatal, and child health and accelerate efforts towards universal health coverage.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah has described the new partnership agreement as a major step towards improving health outcomes and coverage for Liberians.
Minister Jallah said:” The agreement will go a long way in strengthening systems at a distinct and country level.”
She said such improvements in health outcomes will be within the framework of the National Decentralization Agenda on Health.
The Health Minister then assured both the US and Liberian Governments of the Ministry’s commitment to a technical and fiduciary management of resources entrusted into its care.
For her part, US Special Envoy Dana Banks reaffirmed her Government continuous support to the Government of Liberia to improve the Country’s health system.
The American Government also promised to increase institutional access to water, sanitation and hygiene and decentralize health governance for marginalized rural populations in focus countries.
The United States Head of Delegation to the Bicentennial Celebrations, Dana Banks, signed for the United States, while Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah signed on behalf of Liberia.
