Jewel Howard-Taylor Initiative Blossoms – As Major Health Center Dedicated at Liberia-Guinean Border

The luminous legacy of the former First Lady, Senator and Current Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor heightens as she continues the works of goodwill and kind gesture. Her impeccable and illustrious character as a humanitarian and philanthropist is seen elegantly void of elitism. She is signified as a beacon of hope for many and holds virtues of positive imprints of a great woman as she was hailed along with Samaritan Purse, an international NGO, for the initiative of a major health center been dedicated under the Pro-Poor Agenda in the border town of Jowah in Bong County. The Analyst reporter, John Dennis Weah, Jr., was at the dedication and files in this report.

The Office of Vice President Howard-Taylor, the Ministry of Health and the Samaritan Purse dedicated the newly renovated health center over the weekend in Bong County. The renovation of the Ahmed Sekou Toure/Jorwah Health Center in Panta District, Bong County, is an initiative of Vice President Taylor who found it prudent to alleviate the health plight of the locals as a result of the citizens’ pleas to upgrade the facilitate which was left in ruins after several years of Liberia’s devastation civil crisis.

VP Taylor ‘s efforts to reconstruct the health center started at the time she was then Senator after a tour in the district when she was approached in a meeting by one of the eminent citizens, Suzannah Lorpu Mator in 2013. Madam Mator pleaded with Senator Taylor at the time to vouch for the People of  Panta District, especially the residents of Jorwah, to have direct access to an equip and viable  health facility, and informed her that they could not access medical services needed due to the lack of health center.

At the time, Senator Taylor promised the people of Jowah and surrounding towns that her office would do everything possible to address the situation as explained by the locals during the introduction of the program. In fulfillment of her promise to residents of the bordering towns between Liberia and Guinea, VP Taylor sought collaboration with the Samaritan Purse to rebuild the facility for its intended purpose through her leadership and that of former Bong County Representative Lester Paye.

Accordingly, the promise was fulfilled and a dedication program held over the weekend, which was attended by staff of the Office of the Vice President, the Minister of Health, Bong Legislative Caucus including Bong County Superintendent, Guinea Ambassador and scores of residents from neighboring towns in both Guinea and Liberia; although the Vice President did not attend the ceremony due to several official engagements but Madam Wyfia Siaffa represented her at the occasion.

Madam Siafa, on behalf of Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, expressed profound gratitude to the people of Jorwah and its surroundings and the entire people of Bong County for their courage to work together for the betterment of the county.

She assured that VP Taylor is noted for development and that her office is opened for assistance to implement further development initiatives. She called for unity amongst the people of Bong County in order to drive the vehicle for change.

Don’t treat workers under traditional laws

Also Speaking was Superintendent Yarmah Walker on behalf of the people of Bong County, who presented a ‘goat and chicken’ to Samaritan Purse as a token for appreciation of the work, expressing thanks to the Ambassador of Guinea for the relationship and continuous collaboration over time.

The Bong County Superintendent warned local authorities against creating embarrassment for would-be health workers that will be assigned at the health center in Jowah.

She said some of the doctors, nurses and others could come from different backgrounds and the Poro Society ‘country devil’ and as such she warned that they must not be treated under traditional laws if things go wrong.  Superintendent Walker vows to take serious actions against authority that fails to keep the warnings.

Supt Walker also admonished the residents to be in compliant with the administration of the Jorwah Health Center when it comes to the payment of admission fees to help generate funds for the smooth operation of the facility.

Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Whilemena Jallah whose presence was felt at the dedication ceremony lauded the communities and all collaborating partners for the gesture. Dr. Jallah encouraged communities on both sides of the divide to remain steadfast in keeping with the promotion of a sound health delivery system.

She maintained that good nutrition is necessary for the growth of the human body and advised parents to pay more attention to seek healthy diets for their children.

Guinean Ambassador Elhady Abdoulaye Dore, who spoke through an interpreter, said the Government of Guinea is overwhelmed with the spirit of co-operation and oneness between the late presidents Tubman and Tolbert of Liberia and President Toure of Guinea, which he noted remains cordial between the two sisterly countries.

He furthered that no one can distinguish between the citizens of the neighboring communities because of the common identities and traditional ties.  Ambassador Dore commended President George M. Weah and his government for reconstructing a health facility that was name in honor of President Ahmed Sekou Toure.

He assured the people and Government of Liberia of conveying a message of bilateral support to his government as health center has been a benefit and continues to remain a great assistance for citizens of Guinea.

The Deputy Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Flomo, who also spoke at the occasion thanked Vice President Taylor for the initiative, and disclosed that he’s a son of the soil who was birthed at Ahmed Sekou Toure/Jorwah Health Center many years ago.

He regretted that the aftermath of the civil war had destroyed not only the health facility but beyond the entire town which he noted was in a modern state before the crisis.  Minister Flomo committed himself to form part of making personal contributions as the need arises.