The United Nations Resident Coordinator and team have paid a courtesy visit on the political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, at his Congo Town office in Monrovia.
In the meeting held on Tuesday, May 3 focusing on the prevailing conditions and situations in Liberia, the UN Resident Coordinator spoke of the need to revitalize integrity institutions, address gender issues, women representation and involvement in government and decision making process, as well as making Liberia economically sustainable.
The ANC’s political leader and stalwarts including the National Chairman, Daniel Naatehn, Vice Chairlady, Victoria Koiquah and Vice National Chairman, Josiah Kennedy who also attended the meeting discussed the need for electoral reforms to make the outcome of elections more credible, so as to avert violence over perceived fraudulent results, were other issues of concerns.
Meanwhile, Mr. Cummings welcomed the UN Resident Coordinator and his Assistant to his office and later briefed them on the ANC vision and mission for change including action plan on dealing with critical areas of good governance, economy recovery and age-old challenges that have deprived the vast majority of a better life.
The ANC’s political leader provided a roadmap for: national transformation including human development; job creation; investing in and strengthening sectors including health and education; and the urgent need to combat corruption in both the public and private sectors.
Mr. Cummings said to tackle corruption, civil servants including nurses, teachers and police officers will have to earn “living wages,” routinely audit key revenue generating agencies; implement systems to prevent corruption; as well as apply the full force of the law on individuals found guilty of corruption.
Mr. Cummings intoned that it is imperative to make Liberia self-reliant by shifting from the age-old dependency syndrome, creating more income streams, including getting more value out of the country’s natural resources, while respecting previous agreements, and taking precautions with new concession agreements.
The ANC’s political leader observed that by all measurable indicators, Liberia is poorly performing as compared to other countries in the West African sub-region that are making great strides and progress in the face of the worst challenges.
The ANC’s political leader later thanked the UN Resident Coordinator and Assistant for the visit and exchange of ideas and views on issues of national concerns and importance to Liberia.
