By Grace Q. Bryant
U.S. Ambassador Mark Toner has begun paying courtesy visits around Liberia in an effort to strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance mutual understanding.
Yesterday, Amb Toner was guest at the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism where he underscored the U.S. ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration with Liberia, particularly in cultural heritage, governance, and mutual cooperation.
Ambassador Toner commended the Ministry’s work and described the discussions as productive and wide-ranging remaking, “I have great respect for the Ministry of Information’s efforts and we engaged in meaningful conversations on a broad range of topics.”
He highlighted the importance of understanding Liberia’s culture and government operations as part of his mission to deepen ties noting, “Liberia is of shared interest to both our nations. We discussed the Ministry’s challenges and explored areas for potential cooperation. There is clearly common ground.”
Ambassador Toner emphasized the significance of building partnerships to address Liberia’s challenges.
It’s crucial to understand what matters most to Liberians; the changes and challenges they face. This meeting is key to identifying those issues and determining how we can collaborate moving forward,” he admitted.
The U.S. and Liberia have longstanding ties rooted in shared values and historical connections. While acknowledging past challenges, Ambassador Toner expressed optimism about future cooperation.
“Though there have been difficulties in the past, I’ve observed a strong commitment from the Liberian president and his cabinet to tackle corruption and address historical issues,” he noted.
The visit is seen as an important step in U.S.-Liberian relations, with both parties optimistic about future collaboration in cultural, economic, and governance matters.
Minister Jerolinmek Piah also commented on the visit, underscoring its significance pointing out, “This was an important visit. The Ambassador, who has just assumed his position, brings extensive experience in public diplomacy and media affairs. Since we are the government entity responsible for communications, it was vital to discuss our country’s challenges and potential areas for cooperation,” he stressed.
He explained that the meeting covered a wide range of issues concerning Liberia’s relationship with the United States adding, “We discussed several pressing matters, including the fight against corruption, the establishment of an economic court, and accountability measures.”
Minister Piah noted the U.S. strong focus on creating investment opportunities in Liberia, which could lead to job creation for the country’s youth.
“The Ambassador expressed concern about the issues we face and how the U.S. can partner with us to find solutions across various sectors,” he stated.
Ambassador Toner also stressed the U.S.’s support for accountability measures saying, “He was clear about their commitment to accountability—whether through audits or holding individuals responsible for past actions. The U.S. has pledged to stand with the Liberian government in these efforts.”
In another development, Minister Piah addressed the recent suspension of visa services, explaining that the U.S. is transitioning to a new company to handle visa production for Liberia.
“The previous company has been replaced, and during this transition period, visa processing has been temporarily suspended. Services will resume once the change is finalized,” he clarified.
