allAfrica.com: Liberia: Four Citizens Leave for India (Page 1 of 1)

Four Liberians, representing the Liberian youth and Liberian women departed Liberia recedntly for India to participate in the India-Africa Forum Summit, an outreach program for women and youth.

They are Mrs. Cecelia Z. Wounuah, from the Catholic Church of Liberia and Ms. Famatta Wonketeh, a student activist from the University of Liberia while the youth is represented by Mr. Lincoln G. S. Morris, Health Coordinator of the Catholic Church of Liberia, and Mr. Arthur Gibson, from the Non-governmental organization sector.

A release from the India Community says the Outreach Program, the first of its kind and fully sponsored by the Government of India, has over fifty African countries participating along with their Indian counterparts.

The program, which commenced on Thursday, March 27 and due to end on April 8, 2008, involves tours of some important states and cities of India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Anand and Bangalore.

While in the City of Bangalore, they will visit the Bhoomi (Earth) E-Governance Project of Karnataka State Government for Computerization of Land Records as well as the Centre for Sustainable Technology.

Other cities and states they will visit are Blocon, where they will take a tour of the facilities of India's premier biotechnology company, and Shillong to visit an important bamboo factory. The Liberian delegation will visit the 7th Wonder of the World, TAJ MAHAL, in Agra, the release concluded.

According to the release, the program also involves a few formal events such as interactive sessions on health issues with government and local NGOs and youth, issues and challenges facing youth in India and Africa, cultural programs, and ending with the plenary of the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi and calls on dignitaries.

Turkey Seeks Liberia Cooperation

Turkey is seeking the active cooperation of Liberia to enhance its dream of hosting the 2015 Trade Exposition. Turkey, is a European nation, is striving to host the event. It is working with many African nations in many capacities and Liberia is no exception.

Recently Turkey's roving Ambassador at the Department of International Relations, Dr. Ali Engin Oba was in the country and explained to this paper his country's intention for Liberia and what it wants Liberia do in return.

He said his country was interested in working with Liberia in its post-war development, making specific reference to sanitation and sewage and many others. Ambassador Oba had come to Liberia to deliver a special message to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf from his President, but unfortunately, that did not work.

The message, according to him, had to do with his country's interest in hosting the 2015 Trade Exposition in the Turkey city of Izmir. Milan and Izmir are two cities being considered for hosting the event in 7 years time.

Turkey is dearly anxious to host the 2015 Trade Exposition ahead of Milan, an Italian City, which has hosted several times more than any other nation in the work. The European nation is beseeching the cooperation of Liberia in its endeavor to host the premier event of trade exhibition.

Instead of meeting President Sirleaf to deliver the message from Turkey Head of State, he met with Vice President Joseph Boakai as well as other officials of government including Foreign Minister, Olubanke King Akerele, Planning Minister Toga McIntosh and Commerce Minister, Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris.

Though he did not give the specifics of the meeting, Dr. Oba however described the meetings as fruitful.

Dr. Oba has reflected on his country' assistance to Liberia saying: "Turkey is a partner of Liberia. Turkey helped Liberia in some fields. We're one of the countries that helped to make necessary sources for UN Meal in 2005. We gave almost US$1M for this operation."

Apart from those, he also indicated that his country contributed computers to government in 2006 and participated in the Partnership Conference on Liberia held in Washington D.C., United States of America and provided US$100,000 to Liberia through the World Health Organization to cater to the health needs of Liberians.

Ambassador Oba said, "It was also in the interest of Turkey to help Liberia in the fields of sanitation and water as well as sewage."

He said his country has provided a truck to concerned authorities, and that a team of three persons from the Turkey Development Agency is preparing to come to Liberia in order to be in touch with local authorities.

If they come, the team will help farming in 30 places in Liberia. Besides that, the Turk diplomat said the country is anticipating improving its educational assistance to Liberia by increasing its scholarship scheme.

"With these, we are very keen on covering projects prepared and submitted from you authorities. We've one of the very attractive transformation examples in the history of mankind. Turkey has transformed itself and become an industrialized country.

This industrialization transformation could be shining example to Liberia," Dr. Oba told this paper. As it is, Turkey-Liberia relation is not as active as it ought to be and this appears to be a major concern for the government of Turkey.

On the Ambassadorial level, the two countries are far behind and Ambassador Oba said Turkey desires to work in this direction.

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