The Informer (Monrovia)
11 August 2009
Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has joined three other African Presidents to send a message to Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, as she embarks upon a seven-nation (including Liberia) trip to Africa this week.
The four African leaders said the continent seeks not patrons but collaborators who will work "with" rather than "for" the continent.
The other presidents include: Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana, and Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal.
Mrs. Clinton, as part of seven-nation trip to Africa, which will include stops in South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Cape Verde, is expected to touch down in Liberia late Wednesday, according to latest information.
President Sirleaf welcomed the visit of the top America diplomat, describing the visits as another testimony of the strong bond of friendship between Liberia and the United States, and a manifestation of the United States Government's continuing support for the progress Liberia continues to make.
During her visit to Liberia, the US Secretary of State will hold discussions with President Sirleaf. The discussions will cover bilateral relations between Liberia and the United States, and highlight progress the post war country has made toward national reconstruction and development.
The President, Badio said, will use the occasion to thank the United States for its continued support for Liberia's development agenda and renew her commitment to the principles of governance.
While in Liberia, Mrs. Clinton and delegation will also hold bilateral discussions with select members of the Cabinet, to review progress and challenges in Liberia's recovery process.
The US Secretary of State will also tour a number of sites in Monrovia, including the J. F. Kennedy Hospital and the Police Academy in Paynesville, outside the capital, before she departs the country on Thursday.
See Full Text of the Four Presidents' message as published by Forbes:
"Just three weeks after President Barack Obama's triumphant return from Africa, the real challenge to achieving strategic change lies in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's own upcoming visit.
"Left unsaid as the president boarded Air Force One is the fact that Africa seeks not patrons but collaborators who will work "with" rather than "for" the continent. If the Obama administration wishes to truly make a difference, it must do so as an equal partner, addressing several low-cost, high-impact priorities.
"To start, developed partner countries must curb corruption abroad. Efforts by African governments to strengthen democracy and governance are weakened if money stolen from the continent can find safe havens in secret accounts in the West. Chillingly, major OECD countries have yet to prosecute a single defendant for fraudulent and corrupt practices overseas. Poorly enforced international covenants won't deter collusion and bid-rigging in large African infrastructure contracts.
"Economic equations need to change as well. Since 1970, Africa 's share of global exports has declined from 3.5% to 1.5%. To reduce poverty and sustain growth, Africa must reverse this decline. Secretary Clinton has an opportunity to secure a quick win while in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act forum this month.
"Expanding AGOA--the showpiece of America's trading relationship with Africa --to include a larger number of agricultural and processed commodities will help. But if Clinton does not address U.S. agricultural trade subsidies that distort the forces of the marketplace AGOA will never realize its potential--nor will Africa be able to trade its way out of poverty.
"The global recession has hurt Africa. The surge in private capital flows to the continent, driven by efficiency gains from policy improvements, has helped fund badly needed infrastructure development. Since the economic crisis, however, these private flows--which topped $53 billion in 2007, exceeding foreign assistance for the first time--have fallen by 40%. There remains an annual $40 billion infrastructure financing shortfall.
"The deficit can be quickly addressed by catalyzing private partnerships to raise equity finance and by increasing funding to companies that want to invest. In addition, only a quarter of Africa's population has access to electricity. Public-private investments in hydropower would offer a carbon-neutral solution.
"Loan guarantees by the U.S. Export-Import Bank for American firms wishing to invest in Africa amounted to $400 million in 2007. That year, China's Export-Import Bank guaranteed loans of $13 billion to Chinese firms investing in Africa. Closing this gap would do much to project Africa as an investment-grade destination.
"In extractive industries, U.S. companies should be encouraged to change the practice of building extensive private rail, power and port assets that remain detached from the host country's often sparse infrastructure network.
"Ultimately, Africa's quality of life will depend on the health of its citizens. The centerpiece of U.S. support for HIV/AIDS in Africa --the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief--has helped expand life-saving treatment. President Obama has an opportunity to make PEPFAR more effective by moving from emergency to long-term support--as in the Millennium Challenge Corporation's five-year partnership model, with each country taking ownership of the design of its programs.
"Finally, we need more effective and predictable development lending. The U.S. remains the main exception to the common donor practice of channeling development assistance through financial systems of recipient countries. Done with sufficient safeguards, this strengthens country ownership, responsibility and accountability. The U.S.'s reluctance to embrace shared multilateral approaches limits the impact of its foreign assistance.
"President Obama's charisma, oratory and heritage have excited Africa as never before. Now substantive action that realizes the promise of his visit needs to be on Secretary Clinton's agenda during her visit to seven African countries."
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I beg to differ and/or disagree with you. Why Liberians in particular and Africans in general always like to shift blame on someone instead of admitting that it is our fault. From colonial and neo-colonial times to independence, the African continent is plagued with hatred, lies, wars, discrimination, segregation, cheating, graft, rampant (round-town), corruption, etc. and you want to blame someone else. In time past African elders settle disputes under the palava huts but nowadays we allow the powerful countries to come between and among us and offer to sell arms which we willingly buy and then engage in military coups or rebel wars at the expense of citizens through divide and rule. After we get into power, we begin to hunt our own citizens instead of improving their lives.
African leaders do not want to improve the livelihoods of their citizens but rather engage in luxurious life styles by riding expensive limousines and purchasing private jets to travel abroad while their citizens lack schools, hospitals, farms to market road, universities, colleges, polytechnics, transportation, safe drinking waters, telecommunication, etc. They steal monies and transfer same to Europe and other places.
For typical example, you cannot easily call a relative from Liberia to Guinea or Sierra Leone.You will first of all, have to dial direct either through US, France or Britain in order for your calls to go through. Similarly, money transfers cannot be done among African countries but you will have to go through various channels. You can travel in the US and Europe with comfort and convenience unlike Africa, you encounter hurdles and roadblocks. Let us try to put our house in order then, we will stop complaining and blaming others. We should say to ourselves - we must be our brother’s keepers.
There are no direct trade links among African countries that is why they trade with Europe, China, US, etc., as a result of which the currencies you mentioned are realized. We steal from ourselves through corruption, graft, bribery but you say other people steal our economy. I believe you heard the speech delivered by US President Barack Obama in Ghana; the reason why he chose that country as his first choice in Africa. Also, the US Secretary of State delivered similar speech in Liberia in which she cited progress made by Botswana. Africa should strive to do away with ignorance, disease, illiteracy, hunger, malnutrition among its people because she has the resources which must be utilized for the service of the people. Finally, while we await Africa to awake from slumber, sleep, nap, we still need the US dollars, pounds, deutch marks, Indian rupee, euro, Russian rubble, Chinese yuan etc. to keep us going because at this time the Liberian dollars, leone of Sierra Leone, Nigerian naira, Ghanian cedis, or other African currencies cannot solve our problems. When Africa decides to improve and strengthen her economy, we can then truly say (Africa is independent) you may now take away your pounds, euros, dollars, etc, as we once said in Liberia, we will pay but we are still using the US dollars.
My dear Professor,
I read with keen interest your account statement, statistical presentation, and economic research in respond to my comments. I must admit you are indeed a prolific writer. However, I regret to inform you that we are both misunderstanding each other.
Because I agree with everything you mentioned in both of your articles – but disagree with you in comprehending my observations which were earlier pinpointed to you. Is Africa through its leaders willing to take up the challenge in building and strengthening our economy without any one stealing the economy or stealing from ourselves? I do not know of anyone who cooks food without tasting it? I am pretty sure that you are a living witness to this fact because whenever a person is appointed to a position of trust, the first approach is not how to make positive contributions for the growth and expansion of the institution; but rather how well his chopping mouth now opens for bribery, corruption, malfeasance, and misfeasance.
The point I am making here is that there is no death that is acceptable to us whether it is caused by accident, illness, drowning, gunshot, suicide, homicide, or natural – it is still called and considered death and one way or the other it is very heartbreaking and painful.
As a Biblical scholar, I have very high regard for you but I remember very vividly Jesus Christ asking the accusers, that anyone who has not committed any sin must be the first one to stone the accused (woman). So pretty tell me which currency do you use for your personal finance since we give away our souls to one piece of money (dollar, pound, franc, rand, deniro, rupal, euro, Chinese renminbi, rupee, Russian ruble, etc) at-a-time. The only person who determines who goes to hell or heaven, or who sold his soul for money or what have you, is Jesus Christ but not a mortal man like you.
I leave this with you for your information, perusal, and meditation. ”Representatives of the lawyers and chief priests asked Jesus, “Are we or are we not permitted to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor?”—Luke 20:22. Jesus replied, “Show me a silver piece. Whose head does it bear, and whose inscription? ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. ‘Very well then, he said, ‘pay Caesar what is due to Caesar, and pay God what is due to God”—Luke 20:23–25. Money is used as a medium of exchange.
Finally, kindly note that this will be my last comment on this topic, therefore, the idea and proposal you have in mind should be forwarded to the G-8 Nations, Arab League, African Union, ECOWAS, and the Government of Liberia for implementation to avoid the following: to stealing our economy, killing our initiative for self-sufficiency (I do not know if you have one), destroy our families (I do hope you remember in my first article in which I mentioned how disputes were settled among elders under the palava hut in the past and not by coups, revolutions, invasions, or rebel incursion), and inferiority – foreign exchange (we need to manage our own natural resources and funds realized from the sale of these products, should be used for their intended purposes and not for personal enrichment and finger-pointing. Are we in the same boat? Of course not, because we are from different schools of thought. Thank you so much for your time.
THEY COME TO :
STEAL OUR ECONOMY
KILL OUR INITIATIVE TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT
DESTROY OUR FAMILIES
1) INFERIORITY = CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Currency Exchange is designed to puff up certain peoples and nations over others. The numbers are constantly telling some that they are inferior to others. The problem intensifies when those being manipulated by this financial scam buy in to this wicked scheme.
What’s the solution to INFERIORITY CURRENCY EXCHANGE ? Stop giving away our souls one piece of money ( dollar , pound, franc, rand, deniro, rupal, euro, Chinese renminbi, rupee, Russian ruble,etc..) at-a-time .
Do research on what price your product gets in the so-called First World countries. And demand that price. This will not work unless people at the local areas do this together. Form Co-Ops and agree to charge the prices you deserve.
2) INFERIORITY = Pay by Time
There is another system used to oppress people that feeds the business owners with a lust for MORE profit. One year they may have profits of 50%, the next year they may have profits of 100%, the next year their profits may only be 75%. The system in the world will consider that going from 100% profits to 75% profits is bad for business.
How is that bad ? Profits are profits ! Many businesses have different levels of pay for the same workers.; levels such as :
a) Top Salaries – Private and only known to each individual workers b) Medium Salaries – Private “ “ “ “ c) Lower Salaries – Private and only known to each individual workers d) High Hourly Wages e) Medium Hourly Wages f) Minimum Hourly Wages
I suggest that EVERY WORKER SHOULD BE PAID A LIVING WAGE. The Minimum Wage is like a financial ball and chain ; only giving those receiving it just enough to live to see the next day.
The Living Wage allows workers to live, invest, spend, save, and thrive. We can dream about having our own businesses , then wake up and attain our dreams. This is great for the businesses that pay Living Wages. For this creates new customers and new generations of customers.
As long as the system of Living Wages is in place, there will be a thriving economy and a blooming world full of optimistic activities. But it will only happen when business owners see the benefit of paying more pennies to make more dollars ! Which of you business owners will have the insight, recognition, roots, understanding, initiative, moxy, & compassion to make the step most are afraid to make.
THE TRUTH ABOUT DIAMONDS –
Did You Know That The Robbers Have Warehouses Full Of 55 Gallon Drums Each Full Of Raw Uncut Diamonds ?
The Wicked Are Using The Same Schemes On Us. : 1) They Hoard Riches ; Controlling The Supply So We’ll Think The Supply Is Low 2) This Scheme Helps Them To Get A Higher Price & Deceives Most Of Us Into Believing That Things ( Such As Diamonds, Gold, Oil, Etc..) Are In Short Supply & Even Due To Run Out.
Diamonds Are In Abundance And Their Supply Is Being Controlled By Persons Under The Control Of Spiritual Wickedness In High Places (Ephesians 6:12) .
We Saints Serve An Infinite God, What He Placed Here On This Earth For His Children Is Also Infinite. When You See A Volcano Or Magma ; The Liquid Land Flowing Out Of Volcanos, Think Of Growth. The Earth Is Steady Growing.
Once God Settles Things With The Rightreous & Un-Righteous . [Definition – Righteous Means The Desire To Do Right ]
Diamonds Are In Abundance And Their Supply Is Being Controlled By Persons Under The Control Of Spiritual Wickedness In High Places (Ephesians 6:12) . [http://janineroberts.org/]
1. The Bakken Oil Field Find
2. 55 gallon drums fulls of unprocessed diamonds.
* These are just a few of the suppressed world riches this beautiful world created by God (Jehovah, Father of Jesus Christ)..
3. Minister Lindsey Williams has known for 30 years of a major oil find in Alaska.
* He says that he sat in on meetings of the rich and powerful. These men decided not to use this oil to help America.
* Beware Africans, the wolves of deception are always around riches.
* Hosea said we perish for two reasons. Most people only remember one reason why we perish.
- Hosea said MY PEOPLE PERISH FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
- AND…because they REJECT KNOWLEDGE
- In other words, they DON’T KNOW & THEY DON’T WANT TO KNOW !!!!
4. For those who want to know I suggest you guys who can get the Internet do these things :
a) Listen to broadcasts like : Alex Jones (Infowars), Derry Brownfield, The Power Hour
(Joyce & Dave), Jeff Rense, and other broadcasts on the Genesis Communications Network.
b) Here’s an appetizer of information on the subjects I have just written on :
• Do a search use IX Quick search engine .They don’t record your computer’s address ; protect your privacy [ http://ixquick.com/]
• Here are three(s) separate subjects that I mentioned that you can search for
(i) – Bakken Oil Field Find
(ii) – Lindsey Williams (YouTube videos)
(iii) – Janine Roberts :Glitter & Greed : The Secret World of The Diamond Cartel
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.
Our only enemies are in Hell , waiting for their life-sentence of damnation.
You are in my prayers. Pray for each other too
Have Faith in God and Love for each other. May The Lord God Bless You real good
The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]
[Check Out :
3) Who Brought The Slaves To America ? URL = [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuzhnKy63io ] Or [http://wideeyecinema.com/?p=911]
WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/] Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6