New Democrat (Monrovia)
8 December 2011
Several executives of 2 allied parties –the National Patriotic Party and the Congress for Democratic Change–Tuesday met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Foreign Ministry.
An Executive Mansion release said those who met with the President in separate meetings were Cllr. Theophilus Gould, NPP National chair, Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor; Senator-elect, John Whitfield, and Mr. Randolph Cooper, among others.
The release said the CDC Executives were represented by Rep. Edward Forh; Rep. Moses Tandapolie; and Mr. Amos Swaray, public relations officer, among others, all announced expelled from the party and accused of being traitors.
The release added that Tuesday’s meetings were the latest by President Johnson Sirleaf, as part of an ongoing effort to discuss with stakeholders, issues aimed at moving the country forward, as the President prepares for her second-term.
Mr. Gould said his party was willing to work with the President and her government to enhance the government of inclusion. “At the end of elections, there must be national progress, all of us must now close ranks for the purpose of national interest,” Cllr. Gould added, the release said.
The CDC’s Rep. Forh said his party will continue to work to ensure that lasting peace continues to prevail in Liberia. “We are committed to peace and to working with the government to ensure that the peace we are now enjoying is sustained,” the CDC executive said.
The release said President Sirleaf reassured members of the Liberian opposition that her government remains committed to multi-party democracy and will do nothing to undermine its principles. The President said she and other Liberians have long fought for multiparty democracy in Liberia and she is committed to ensuring that the system is sustained.
She said the multi-party system should be preserved.
The President however, called for more efforts to ensure that political parties are institutionalized to help strengthen and sustained multi-party democracy in the country.
The President renewed commitment to inclusion in her government and pointed out that no one party can develop the country. The Liberian leader said her government will work with those who meet the qualifications and are in the interest of the development of the country because “Without collaboration we will not be able to achieve our goals.”
According to an Executive Mansion Press release, the President urged executives of the two parties and other political parties to contribute their ideas and expertise toward the growth and development of the country.
She lauded Executives of the Congress for Democratic Change and the National Patriotic Party for the collaboration, and promised to remain engaged as government works toward improving the living standards of the Liberian people.
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