Washington, D.C. – August 22, 2013: The Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to the United States, H.E. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Vincent Gray, on Friday, August 16, 2013.
During the visit, which included a brief tour of some historic parts of Washington, D.C. City Hall, Ambassador Sulunteh and Mayor Gray discussed a wide range of issues, including U.S.-Liberia relations, Liberia’s investment potentials, and particularly, how the District of Columbia could engage in mutually beneficial partnerships with Liberia in the public and private sectors.
Briefing Mayor Gray on U.S.-Liberia relations and Liberia’s progress and challenges since the end of its civil crises, Ambassador Sulunteh emphasized the resilience of the Liberian people in putting an end to the tragedies of the war and that they have begun an encouraging process of reconstruction.
He underscored the special historical ties between Liberia and the United States, and applauded the U.S. for playing a critical role in Liberia’s rebuilding process, which includes reconstruction of infrastructure, as well as putting into place a process of good governance and an enabling environment to foster a strong democratic culture.
Ambassador Sulunteh indicated that even though the Government of Liberia has made tremendous progress in revitalizing Liberia’s collapsed economy, which has attracted more than US $17 billion in foreign direct investment over the past seven years, the country still faces a very serious challenge of unemployment, especially among the youth, which constitutes majority of the national population.
Providing quality education and adequate employable skills so as to enable the young people to become productive citizens, remains one of the major challenges the Liberian government is grappling with, the Liberian diplomat noted.
Ambassador Sulunteh said his visit with the Mayor was intended to establish a personal relationship between the Embassy of Liberia and the city government of Washington, D.C., through which both sides can partner in programs and projects that are mutually beneficial.
Welcoming Ambassador Sulunteh, Mayor Gray emphasized the importance of education, especially early childhood education, as a building block to ensure a sustainable future of a community or society.
Mayor Gray said that the government of the District of Columbia has been focused on how to provide accessible and quality early childhood education within its jurisdiction. He added that his office would be prepared to engage the Embassy of Liberia relative to how Liberia could benefit from the experiences of D.C.’s educational programs.
“It is important to educate those children; they will be the salvation of Liberia,” said Mayor Gray, who asked Ambassador Sulunteh many questions regarding the prevailing state of affairs of Liberia, especially what programs or actions that the Liberian government is undertaking to educate its population.
Ambassador Sulunteh used the opportunity of the meeting to present to Mayor Gray a traditional hand-woven African shirt (commonly known in Liberia as country cloth) as a gift. Mayor Gray expressed delight for the gift and also presented the Ambassador with a lapel pin depicting the map of the District of Columbia.
The Embassy and the Mayor’s office agreed to be more actively engaged, especially regarding the issue of education.
Ambassador Sulunteh was accompanied by Hon. Gabriel I.H. Williams, Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs, and Mrs. DeContee Clements-Kanneh, Assistant to the Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs.
Also with Mayor Gray was Ms. Patricia Elwood, Director of Protocol and International Affairs, Government of the District of Columbia.Click to view photos from this event ===>>
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