Central Bank of Liberia Governor Dr. J. Mills Jones honored in U.S.A

It is said that give a man his flowers while he is alive. Such was the case with Hon. Dr. J. Mills Jones, Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) when he received an international honor from the African Global Super Center, LLC in partnership with Cornerstone Consultancy International and African Women Entrepreneurship Program on Wednesday, the 2^nd day of October 2013 at the Crowne Plaza in Reading, Pennsylvania, United States of America (USA). According to a dispatch from the United States of America (USA); the honoring program was held under the theme: “From Political Independence to Economic Emancipation”. Mr. Vaughn D. Spencer, Mayor of Reading, Pennsylvania, United States of America (USA) who welcomed the guests to the city of Reading, Pennsylvania also read the proclamation for the program. In her opening remarks; Ms. Elizabeth Sichinga, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of African Global Super Center, LLC expressed delight of the presence of Governor Jones at the program to receive his honor.

The African Global Super Center, LLC is a United States of America (USA) based organization in the vanguard of promoting investment and trade between Africa and the United States of America; while the Cornerstone Consultancy International is an organization based in South Africa. The African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) for its part is comprised of forty-four (44) African countries; and is primarily focused on the empowerment and promotion of African women entrepreneurs in Africa and across the world. AWEP which is the brain child of the former United States of America Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has its headquarters in Zambia.

The award which was presented to Governor Jones by Mr. Vaughn D. Spencer, Mayor of Reading, Pennsylvania, United States of America (USA) was preceded by the reading of the citation. The citation read by Mrs. Sylvia Litana Robertson, EVP-Member-Partner, African Global Super Center, LLC has the following wordings: “One can be seen as achieving success if what he undertakes to do is producing positive results”.

 “The Liberian people and the world are overwhelmed by the enormous and unprecedented invaluable financial and technical support the Liberian society has received; and is still receiving from the Central Bank of Liberia under the visionary leadership of Dr. Joseph Mills Jones in his capacity as Executive Governor”.

“Studies of performance of Liberian businesses after you took over as Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia up to present continue to reveal significant transformation from the past”.

“Liberian businessmen and women have seen a new day; access to finance is no longer an issue; acquisition of skills and knowledge through capacity building is a milestone achievement that is accelerating the growth and expansion of Liberian owned businesses”.

 “You, Dr. Jones, have been; and continue to be the driving force behind the transformation process of indigenous Liberian businesses; and the transformation of the Liberian economy in general from a state of hopelessness to a state of hopefulness”.

“Dr. Jones, you spearheaded the release of appropriate financial and technical resources to support institutional, organizational and human resource capacity building of Liberian owned businesses through the Liberian Business Association (LIBA), Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), Liberia Credit Union National Association (LCUNA), Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and other business and women related groupings in Liberia. We cherish you for your people centered mindedness and many invaluable economic and humanitarian interventions”.

“Today, we honor you, Dr. Jones for bringing confidence to the banking sector in Liberia. Today, we honor you for the highest level of reputation the Central Bank of Liberia continues to gain under your visionary leadership”. “Today, we honor you, Governor Jones for financial inclusiveness in Liberia. Today, we honor you, Dr. Jones for your support to the students of Liberia, we honor you for your support to the women of Liberia, we honor you for your support to the youths of Liberia, we honor you for your support to the civil servants and workforce of Liberia, we honor you for your support to the petty traders of Liberia, we honor you for your support to the grass roots and masses of Liberia. More so; we cherish and honor you for your continuous support to the Liberian people in general. Words are extremely inadequate for us to express, on behalf of the Liberian people and the global world, our esteemed gratefulness to you for your noteworthy accomplishments of indelible print”.

“We are aware of the price you are paying for doing what ought to be done. The commentaries being expressed in a handful of quarters are not strong enough to derail your plan for building a vibrant indigenous business community, an inclusive financial sector, the Liberian economic landscape in general; and a Liberia of equal opportunity for all”.

“Governor Jones, we are particularly impressed that you remain steadfast, unmovable and unperturbed by a handful of external sentiments which are only aimed at keeping Liberian owned businesses and the Liberian economy in general at a perpetual state of despair. It took you; and we honestly mean you, Dr. J Mills Jones to recognize the plight of Liberians doing business and the Liberian economic landscape; and you continue to initiate practical steps to change the status quo”.

“Dr. J. Mills Jones; this honor to you by the African Global Super Center, LLC in partnership with Cornerstone Consultancy International and African Women Entrepreneurship Program on this 2^nd day of October 2013 at the Crowne Plaza, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States of America; is in recognition of your unprecedented, invaluable, committed and dedicated services toward the empowerment of the Liberian People and the strengthening of the Liberian economy through the practical demonstration of your indigenous approach to building Liberia’s economy”.

“May the Lord Almighty continue to strengthen you and grant all the desires of your heart”. “Please accept our congratulations”. “We thank you”. Receiving the award; Governor Jones expressed gratitude to the African Global Super Center, LLC, Cornerstone Consultancy International and African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) for the honor. The Central Bank of Liberia Governor accepted the honor in the name of the Board of Governors, Management and staff of the Central Bank of Liberia; and dedicated the award to the new spirit of Liberian entrepreneurship that is taking root throughout Liberia. Governor Jones said he was receiving the award with humbleness. Dr. Jones reiterated his commitment to working with the Board of Governors, Management and staff of the Central Bank of Liberia for the sustainable transformation of the Liberian economy.

The CBL Boss stressed that no one; irrespective of geographic location should see poverty as their destiny; adding that “Poverty is not the Destiny of the Liberian People”. Dr. Jones said that to be successful in fighting poverty; poverty must be fought where poverty is.

The honoring program of Governor Jones was graced by Mrs. Esther Buxton Jones (Wife of Governor Jones), Mr. Dee-Maxwell S. Kemayah, Sr., President, Liberian Business Association (LIBA), Ms. M. Leelai Kpukuyou, Secretary-General, LIBA, Ambassador Juli Endee, Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador, Ms. Rugie Barry, AWEP Ambassador- Liberia, Mr. Dan Dennis, President of the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania, USA, Mrs. Oretha Bestman-Yates, President of the Staten Island Liberian Community, USA, Chief Thomas Tarpeh, Head of the Liberian Chiefs in the United States of America and other esteemed officials and personalities from across Africa, Asia, United States of America, Europe; as well as AWEP Chapters from across Africa. A cross section of Officials and Liberians from the Liberian communities in the United States of America (USA); including Staten Island and Pennsylvania also attended the honoring program of Governor Jones.

Report Released By: Channel A TV & LIBA

Photo Courtesy: Davies Chirwa

Event Producers: African Global Super Center

Video Producers: DC Productions