Executive Mansion. Monrovia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made the following nominations in Government, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate where applicable.

Those nominated are: Dr. Lawrence K. Bropleh, Chairman, Board of Directors, Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS); Mr. Peter Bonner Jallah, Minister of National Security; Ms. Bartu Dorley, Assistant Minister/Coordinator, Ministry of Internal Affairs; and Mr. Kederick Johnson, Assistant Minister/Technical Services, Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Others nominated include: Madam Amelia Ward, Chairperson, Board of Directors, Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation (LPRC); Mr. Joseph Acqui, Member, Board of Directors, LPRC; Mr. Binyah C. Kesselly, Member, Board of Directors, National Port Authority (NPA); and Mr. Oscar Quiah, Member, Board of Directors, NPA.

The remaining nominations include: Counselor Estrada Bernard, Legal and Security Advisor to the President of Liberia; Mr. James Ngenda, Chairman, National Housing Authority (NHA) and Mr. Stephen Y. Neufville, Managing Director, NHA.

Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on the International Contact Group on Liberia (ICGL) to continue its support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). She has also indicated that the Commission would need an additional three months to complete its process.

The President spoke at a recent meeting held with the ICGL at the Foreign Ministry. The meeting, which was at the request of the ICGL, also included Vice President Joseph Boakai. It centered on wide ranging issues of national concern, including the benchmarks of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord (ACPA); the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; transparency and accountability regarding concessions and the General Auditing Commission (GAC); land disputes; the looming food crisis; and repatriation of Liberian refugees.

The Liberian leader emphasized that the Judiciary challenges Government and wished to know what help the ICGL can offer to hasten the process of judicial reform. Speaking about concession agreements, President Johnson Sirleaf indicated that there has been enough transparency and rejected any observations to the contrary. The President further stressed that the support from the international community for the GAC has so far been inadequate, adding that it lacks basic tools such as computers and vehicles. Speaking on food security, the President informed the Group that her Government’s main concern now is availability and affordability of Liberia’s strategic commodities, mainly rice, petroleum and cement. She also stressed that rice is the main focus of Government’s food security strategy.

For his part, head of the ICGL delegation, Ghanaian Ambassador Francis Adu-Amanfoh, challenged the Liberian Government to show how the Group can be of support. He further stressed that strengthening the capacity of the Judiciary is the only key benchmark of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord, which has not been fully met.

The International Contact Group on Liberia is a group of countries, which came together with the aim of resolving the country’s civil crisis as well as to guide the country’s transition to full-fledged democracy.