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LIHEDE Proposes largest plantain and banana agriculture project in Liberia
Feb 10, 2006
by Syrulwa Somah / Contributing Writer

New Release
Greensboro, February 10, 2006: A three-man delegation of LIHEDE and officials of the Venezuela Permanent Mission at the United Nations(UN), including Ambassador Fermin Toro Jimenez, held talks on last Friday, February 3, 2006, in New York, surrounding the organization's agricultural project proposal to be used for rehabilitation of ex-combatants in Liberia.

The proposed project entitled: "Community Farm and Buy Back” is expected to cover 110 acres of farm land of plantain and banana crops in Liberia with the ultimate goals to increase food production to supply domestic market, contribute to reverse the food aid syndrome, reduce commercial imports and increase farmers income. Once the necessary funding is available and implementation of the project begins, it could be the largest plantain and banana agriculture project in Liberia.

The LIHEDE's delegation included Dr. Syrulwa Somah, Executive Director of LIHEDE, Dr. Emmet Dennis, Co-Chair of the Diaspora Planning Committee for a National Health Conference in Liberia and Director of Health and Social Programs, and Mr. Sam Togba Slewion, Director of Publications and Chairman of the sub-committee on Publicity and Community Outreach of the Diaspora Planning Committee.

Dr. Somah, in his presentation of the LIHEDE’s project proposal, which comprises a youth center and an agriculture component, said the primary focus of the project is to use agriculture as a vehicle for rehabilitation of Liberian youths, who are ex-combatants, to become productive citizens by contributing to the stimulation of the Liberian economy through the sale of their agricultural products.

He explained further that the overall goal of the project is to recruit youths between the ages of 13-21years old for the youth center to participate in the rehabilitation process through sports and agriculture, adding “there can be no democracy in any nation where the citizens are unhealthy and cannot feed themselves."

He said LIHEDE has decided to solicit the participation of the people of Venezuela in this effort because of the country's contribution to peace and stability in the world and experience in similar agricultural undertaking.

Dr. Dennis reinforced the sentiments expressed by Dr. Somah, adding that the project provides an opportunity for vocational training and economic livelihood for our youthful ex-combatant population. "This is an economic opportunity for our youths to change their mindset from war to productive contribution to the recovery of our country from war," he quipped.

Ambassador Jimenez, in his welcome remarks, said he was delighted to receive the LIHEDE delegation after several weeks of consultation and planning for the meeting. He underscored the need for agricultural self-sufficiency and rehabilitation of ex-combatants in any country emerging from war, including Liberia.

He said the presentation of the project was very timely, as his country has just begun diplomatic initiatives in Africa in an attempts to cultivate and form international relationships with new friends and allies in the world, adding, " we have also created a new foreign post of Vice Minister for Africa who have made several trips recently to some African countries."

He assured the LIHEDE delegation that the project proposal will be given to the Vice Minister, who is expected to visit the United States within two weeks, for review and a determination will be made in due course. He said his mission will explore a possibility for a LIHEDE delegation to meet with the Vice Minister during the visit to the United States for further discussion on the project proposal.

Also present during the tete-a-tete with the Ambassador were Ms. Laila Tajalhdine, Second Secretary of the Mission and Mr. Gabriel Salazar, Minister Consular of the Mission.

Signed:
Sam Togba Slewion
Director of Publications-LIHEDE

About the Author:
In addition to being a contributing writer for TheLiberianTimes.com, Syrulwa Somah, Ph.D., is an Associate Tenured Professor of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health at NC A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is the author of several books, including, The Historical Resettlement of Liberia and It Environmental Impact, Christianity, Colonization and State of African Spirituality, and Nyanyan Gohn-Manan: History, Migration & Government of the Bassa (a book about traditional Bassa leadership and cultural norms published in 2003). Dr. Somah is also the Executive Director of the Liberian History, Education & Development, Inc. (LIHEDE), a nonprofit organization based in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Syrulwa Somah may be contacted at somah@ncat.edu.

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