Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan and Cameroonian Ambassador accredited to Liberia, His Excellency Bengyela Augustine Gang, have reiterated their commitments to deepening and expanding cooperation to the mutual benefits of their two countries.
The two diplomats met on Friday, April 11, 2014 at the Ministry of Foreign when the Cameroonian Envoy paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister at his Foreign Ministry on Capitol Hill.
During the meeting, Minister Ngafuan and Ambassador Gang expressed willingness to expand cooperation in the areas of agriculture, sports, as well as forestry, among others.
Making remarks at the meeting, Foreign Minister Ngafuan thanked the Ambassador for the visit, adding that Liberia was interested especially in expanding cooperation in the area of forestry and agriculture, while promising to work along with line ministries and agencies concerned for the preparation and signing of the draft cooperation Agreement.
He expressed Liberia's willingness to invest in agriculture and forestry, but was faced with several challenges, including resources- a situation he said the government was making efforts to improve. "We will try to do much with the little we have to conclude the framework for this cooperation," he said.
While responding to call by Ambassador Gang for President Sirleaf to visit Cameroon, Minister Ngafuan pointed out that Liberia and Cameroon shared common values, culture and tradition with the two nations having the Bassa ethnic group in common.
Commenting on the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, the Minister said Liberia was grateful to the international community for providing assistance to the government in the fight against the disease. He disclosed the establishment of an Ebola testing center with two confirmed Ebola cases among the 12 deaths so far.
He also hailed Liberian health workers for catering to Ebola cases in the country. Speaking earlier, Ambassador Gang said his government was working out plans to honor a state visit of the two Heads of State and Foreign Ministers as to solidify the cordial relations.
He emphasized the need to deepen cooperation, especially in the development of sports, economic, youth diplomatic training and local governance as part of decentralization, as well as the construction of training institution to further promote sports, agriculture et-cetera.
He said his government was compassionate about the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Liberia and commended government's efforts in fighting against the spread of the deadly disease.
