Monrovia-Liberia - Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor has received in audience the Ambassador of Republic of Ireland accredited to the Republic of Liberia and Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Ambassador Catherine Campbell.

During the visit Vice President Howard-Taylor welcomed Ambassador Campbell and hailed the Government of Ireland for its continued support to the Government and people of Liberia.

Vice President Howard-Taylor emphasized the vision of President George Weah, as captured in the Government’s national development agenda which emphasis infrastructural development in areas such as road networks.

She also that Government is galvanizing resources along with support from other international partners to strengthen intervention in the areas of women and girls empowerment, especially victims of gender and sexual base violence in country.

The Liberian Vice President raised concern on the high incidence of rape in the country, and asked the Delegation to intervene in working with the Government in identifying root causes as well as helping to cater to victims.

Vice President Howard-Taylor suggested a roundtable discussion with stakeholders as well as partners to focus on sexual and gender-based violence as well as mobilize support for victims in Liberia.

Speaking earlier, Ambassador Campbell said Ireland is keen on establishing stronger bilateral ties with Liberia, and is preparing a five year strategic plan to support the Pro Poor Agenda of the Government of Liberia.

According to Ambassador Campbell, the strategic plan will focus on inclusive democratic process which involves elections, good governance, women empowerment, Health, nutrition, and prevention and response to gender and sexually base-violence, in addition to the development of the agriculture sector.

Ambassador Campbell, who is based in Sierra Leone, informed Vice President Howard-Taylor that, as part this effort, Ireland is setting up a new Embassy in Liberia, a diplomatic process which she said began in June, 2018.

Looking back at the role of Ireland in the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Liberia, Ambassador Campbell pointed out that her country contributed about 450 peacekeepers to UNMIL, a force she said significantly worked with Liberians to strengthen the peace process.

Ambassador Campbell, on behalf of the Government of Ireland, presented a diplomatic note to the Government of Liberia soliciting support for Ireland’s quest for a seat as a non-permanent member on the UN Security Council, a contest that is be held in 2020.

In a related development, a five member delegation from the Rotary Club of Sinkor and the West Africa District of Rotary International, Thursday, September 27, 2018, met with Vice President Jewel-Howard Taylor at her Capitol Building office in Monrovia.

During the meeting, the West Africa District Governor of Rotary International, Akiladi J. Allen, expressed his delight in meeting Vice President Howard-Taylor and praised the Government of Liberia for supporting the work of Rotary International in Liberia.

Mr. Allen said, as an organization that is working to improve human dignity around the world, the Rotary International will continue to work through the Sinkor Rotary Club and the other three Rotary Clubs in the country to enhance services in health care, water and sanitation as well as the advancement of education.