Liberia, Japan Sign US$2.7m Grant To Boost Health Sector

The Governments of Liberia and Japan have signed a US$2.7 million grant agreement geared towards supporting the Liberian health sector.

The signing ceremony took place on Monday in the Minister’s Conference Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley signed on behalf of the Liberian Government while the Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Tsutomu Himeno signed for the Japanese Government.

The Japanese grant will help provide medical equipment for major health facilities across the nation aimed at building a resilient health sector.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Findley described the agreement as a manifestation of the continuous support from the Government of Japan to Liberia, adding that “the assistance will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges Liberia is faced with in the health sector.

Minister Findley expressed Liberia’s deepest gratitude to the Government and People of Japan for “a laudable assistance” to Liberia at this critical time in the nation’s history.

The Dean of the Cabinet told the Japanese envoy that Liberia looks forward to deepening cooperation with Japan as well as strengthening the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.

For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Tsutomu Himeno, said the grant agreement signifies the mutual friendship and ties between Liberia and Japan, as well as the cordial friendship between the Presidents of Liberia and Japan.

Ambassador Himeno noted that the Japanese Government attaches serious value to her assistance provided towards Liberia’s health sector which, he stated, is essential to the survival and wellbeing of Liberia and its people.

He also stated that the grant is a part of efforts by Japan to support its TICAD initiative in Liberia, as well as to promote the high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners from Japan.

The Japanese Ambassador said the grant is also part of efforts of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

He said the Prime Minister of Japan is looking forward to receiving the Liberian leader at the 7th TICAD meeting in August this year.

According to him, the signing ceremony is vital to the creation of a robust health sector in Liberia, adding that Japan will continue to support the health sector of Liberia.

LINA