Several government officials have pledged their full commitment to pursuing transformational and developmental actions, following the successful completion and inspiring capacity-building training on Public Administration and Modern Governance for Liberia in Beijing, China.
Approximately twenty participants from ministries and agencies of the Liberian government, including the Ministry of State, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Justice, the Liberia Broadcasting System, and the Liberia National Police, among others, have completed a two-week capacity training. The program was organized by the Chinese Government through its Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), with lectures and facilitation by staff of the institution.
The training was part of China-Liberia relations and bilateral cooperation, People-to-people-exchange capacity building training and symposium, held under the theme “Public Administration and Modern Government for Liberia.” Participants of the training also gained thoughtful discussions and on-site visits in several remarkable cities, including Beijing, Langfang, and Xiamen, which enriched their experiences and illuminated the vital role of exceptional leadership in China’s prosperity, culture, and history.
Their visit to the Tan Kah Kee Museum provided them with valuable insights into the life and contributions of Tan Kah Kee to China’s early educational developments, while the museum and the Great Wall underscore the importance of preserving local culture and history, reminding them that understanding the heritage is essential for appreciating both the present and the future.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Beijing, Prince Menkalo Gbieu, Chief of Office Staff, Office of Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, expressed gratitude to the Government and people of China for deepening friendship and cooperation with Liberia.
According to him, their participation in the important event would not have been possible without the generous support of the Chinese Embassy in Liberia, noting Ambassador Yin Chengwu’s invaluable assistance. According to him, the training has charted a pathway towards shared development, drawing strength from their collective experiences and working collaboratively to realize the nation’s common aspirations.
“We are inspired to embrace fresh challenges and pursue transformational actions. The five presentations covering China’s national landscape, its unique path to modernization, economic strategies, and sociopolitical frameworks have inspired us to envision a renewed trajectory for Liberia’s development. They illuminate not only the challenges and successes faced by China but also provide us with a framework for navigating our own paths toward national development and global cooperation,” Gbieu asserted. He narrated that the seminar reminds them that effective governance for Liberia does not exist in isolation from their partnership with China, stressing that they believe that the knowledge gained from these on-site experiences and lectures has deepened their understanding of China and its people.
Most importantly, Gbieu said the training has invigorated their commitment to develop effective public administration and foster collaboration aimed at elevating Liberia towards prosperity in alignment with China’s ambitious modernization goals. The Chief of Office Staff of Liberia’s Vice President said they are optimistic that the insights gained will bolster their ongoing development initiatives, particularly under President Joseph N. Boakai’s ARREST agenda, which emphasizes inclusive public management and refined governance in Liberia.
“As Liberia forges ahead, it is essential that we incorporate innovative strategies to empower economic growth through the establishment of special economic zones. This will create a conducive environment for investment, industrialization, and job creation. We acknowledge the substantial efforts of the People’s Republic of China, especially through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which have facilitated significant investments in Liberia. Together, we can build upon these initiatives to forge a transparent, accountable, and inclusive future,” Gbieu said.
