In a special statement at the occasion at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, President Weah assured former  President Sirleaf of his government's fullest support to what he termed "a worthy endeavor" being undertaken by his predecessor.

 

"Rest assured of my commitment to working with you in advancing the empowerment and development of women," the President assured.

President Weah said he was obliged to lend his government’s support to the worthy endeavor because it is the first time a former President of Liberia has set up such a milestone initiative.

 

 

"Liberia, throughout its long history since 1847, has had many Presidents, with me being the 25th," the President said in remarks at the program. “It is worthy to note that, in spite of the many presidencies our country has had, we have not had any such Presidential Center to capture history and serve as a platform for research, documentation and the promotion of noble causes in the interest of our people."

 

 

President Weah stated that the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, the first of its kind in our history,  will not only archive the papers and documentation from her career and presidency, but will also chronicle her activities for the empowerment and protection of women, and serve as a springboard for the continued promotion of her causes and interests. 

 

 

“The evidence also shows that it is the women of Liberia who bear the brunt of supporting the majority of our households to earn a livelihood," President also noted, acknowledging women's outstanding roles in the transformation of society and the attainment of social justice.

 

 

“It is the women of Liberia who lead in raising and educating our children,” he added. “It is the women of Liberia who lead in agriculture to feed our nation. It is the women who lead in building the infrastructure. The women of Liberia are the fulcrum around which the life of the nation evolves."

 

 

President Weah informed the assembly of dignitaries that “Liberia cannot succeed in achieving its objectives of socio-economic transformation if we continue to marginalize women.”

 

 

"In fact, if we do not accept and recognize women as equal and respected partners, or even as leaders in the attainment of our national objectives, we will not be able to build that ‘wholesome, functioning society’ that one of my predecessors spoke about many decades ago," the Liberian President reminded the audience.

 

 

President Weah used the gathering to pay special homage to Madam Sirleaf as his illustrious predecessor well known for her exemplary leadership, both at home and abroad. 

 

 

“Her career has spanned a lifetime of extraordinary achievements, many of them as the first female to attain such heights,” the Chief Executive asserted, adding that Liberia remains very proud of Madam Sirleaf's notable achievements as the first democratically elected female President in Africa, and the first of two Liberian females to have won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

 

 

"These, and many other international accolades bestowed upon her, reflect a lifetime of advocacy, hard work and commitment to the betterment of Liberia and humanity in general," President Weah further indicated.

 

 

He told the audience that had it not been for former President Sirleaf tenacity in strengthening democracy, peace and security having come to office immediately after  the devastation of many years of war, the task of nation building would have been even more difficult for him.

 

 

The President said further. “When I assumed the mantle of authority in 2018, I undertook to build upon the foundation she had left in order to consolidate our democracy, preserve the peace and ensure economic viability. Without the foundation she laid, my task of nation-building would have been even more difficult.”

 

 

The launch of the the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for women and Development was graced by former Nigerian president H.E. Olusegun Obassanjo, former President of Nigeria; former Malawian President  Joyce Banda, former President of Central African Republic, Catherine Samba Panza, as well as former United States Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and many others including officials of the current administration.