"We will fight to remove corrupt figures" - VP Tells Liberians in U.S.

The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia in his first visit to the United States of America since elections, addressed the 17th convention of the Grand Gedeh Associations held in the city of Des Moines, Iowa.

The women of Grand Gedeh escorted the vice president from the entrance to the platform with song and dance and welcomed him to the program as characteristic of people from Grand Gedeh.

The Vice President during his prepared text emphasized that the visit was on invitation from the Grand Gedeh Association and used the occasion to trace his relationship with the people to the leadership of a son of the county, former president Samuel K. Doe. The VP is a former Minister of Agriculture during the administration of President Samuel K Doe who originated from Grand Gedeh county. The VP’s speech which was filled with the reconciliation message also described the process of reconciliation, not as a banquet but a process. He further went on to recommend a search for mutuality to overcome the causes of conflict. With regards to the TRC, the VP averred that the process takes time and offered the audience a working definition of the TRC and how it works, what are the limits, and how it will be used to evaluate the pattern of abuses committed by alleged perpetrators, and how this process can contribute to development. Continuing, the VP admonished that the TRC is also designed to address issues of impunity, women’s issues and to help us in healing our wounds. He also stated in his speech that the UP lead government is committed to pursuing genuine national reconciliation and development of the country. He then promised that the government will fight corruption and will not relent in the removal of corrupt figures from the rank and file of the administration. With regards to the recent waves of deportation of Liberians from the US and the crimes associated, the VP expressed shock and dismay that Liberians are now involved in such heinous crimes within such an accepting society. Finally, he promised that the UP lead government has vowed to eradicate poverty and enforce good governance making Liberia a place where Liberians are known by a name and not a number and finally quoting scripture saying, “Where one or two are gathered…” Before the arrival of the VP, the MC of the program Mr. Willie Par Branch provided a brief synopsis of the history of the Liberian vice presidency, reciting the history of various vice presidents up to the current one. The president then traveled to Minnesota where he held a town hall style meeting with the Liberian community in the state.