The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon Mustapha Cisse Lo on Wednesday, 29 August 2018 paid a courtesy call on Dr. Bhofal Chambers, Speaker of the 54th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, at his Capitol Hill Office.
During the visit, both men while acknowledging the vast resource opportunities available on the continent, lamented abject poverty that vast majority of people on the continent continue to endure. To this end, Speaker Chambers opined that it was about time that economic governance policies of African governments were not only “peppered with reality” but were also SMART crafted and implemented. In other words, they should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound if we are to impact the lives of the majority of people on the continent and lift them out of poverty. Dr. Chambers said he believes these things were achievable if African governments emulate the good governance practices of both past and present African leaders, and leaders from other parts of the world, while eschewing those vices that work against virtues such as nationalism, patriotism and rule of law grounded on the respect of humans and people’s rights.
For his part, Hon Lo did not only concurred with his counterpart but also added that Africa will realize its full potential with vision such as that espoused by the new generation of leaders as Dr. Chambers. He further intoned that he was happy for the level of peace and stability in Liberia and the fact that Liberia’s proud and place has been restored in the comity of nations after a difficult past. He concluded his thoughts by firstly recognizing the role of former Liberia President, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Chair Person of ECOWAS Heads of State and requested the Speaker to extend his heartfelt brotherly greetings to H.E. Dr. George M. Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia. A person whom he said has brought so much pride to the continent by his record setting on the soccer pitch, particularly the winning of FIFA, Europe and Africa Best Soccer Player in one year, 1995. A feat which no soccer player has achieved and is yet to be broken.
Hon. Lo visit to the Speaker comes at the time of an ECOWAS Parliament Delegation visit to Liberia to hold a parliamentary session in fulfilment of its newly adopted localization policy that sees it holding sessions in Member States away from the Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. Hon. Lo was acting in his capacity as Head of Delegation of the ECOWAS Team.
Contributed By:
George D. Watkins
Political Officer/Media Unit
Office of the Speaker