Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, was on Thursday, June 29 amongst several top notch international consultants to discuss the Rwanda recovery model which sought to find “enterprise solutions to poverty” in Africa.
At a special Policy Forum on the theme “Liberia’s Path to Recovery, As Aligned with Rwanda’s,” held at Harvard University, Mr. Cummings engaged with several key experts, who were involved in Rwanda’s recovery.
Presentations focused on Liberia as an inspiring opportunity for African Americans and Diaspora Africans to re-engage with their heritage. Finding means to make this a reality was a major part of the discussions.
Liberia’s 14 years of devastating civil war is a shared story with Rwanda’s own experience and many barriers to recovery. Cummings, Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), spoke on the daunting path to Liberia’s economic recovery, with references also to challenges caused by Liberia’s 14 years civil war, the Ebola epidemic, Covid pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Cummings emphasized the critical need for new leadership and mindset, political stability, infrastructure development, economic growth, and social reconciliation.
He stressed the imperative need for competent and qualified leadership with renewed mindset to foster unity, combat corruption, and ensure accountability and transparency in Liberia’s governance system.
According to Mr. Cummings, political stability and restoration of the rule of law, with a strong and independent judiciary, are crucial for economic recovery and growth.
The CPP Standard Bearer, who is visiting the U.S., said infrastructure development, including roads, energy, technology, and sanitation, are critical to attract direct foreign investment and trade opportunities needed for job creation, and improved access to basic social services.
Mr. Cummings said economic diversification, private sector development, and value addition were critical to reduce dependency on the extractive sector.
He cited social reconciliation, inspired by Rwanda’s post-genocide experience, as a vehicle to engage hearts and minds, promote dialogue, justice, forgiveness, and national unity.
The Liberian Presidential aspirant told the forum that lessons from Rwanda’s enterprise solutions, such as a private sector focus, technology and innovation, agriculture and rural development, and social protection programs, as highlighted by participants were valuable for Liberia’s recovery.
Mr. Cummings emphasized the importance of tailoring the solutions to Liberia’s specific needs and seeking international collaboration for sustainable development and recovery.
He expressed the readiness of Liberians for real change and hoped for cooperation from friends and partners in achieving this goal.
