U.S. and Chinese Embassies, UNDP, World Bank, others embrace LEDI modern library project for Liberia
LEDI Public Affairs Department 
Cleveland, Ohio: The Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI) modern library construction project for Liberia has been embraced by many dignified international institutions in Liberia. The US and Chinese Embassies, UNDP, World Bank, and UNICEF welcome the project and pledged to support it.
LEDI President, Rufus Darkortey, held separate meetings with US Ambassador to Liberia, Ambassador Deborah Malac, the Chinese Embassy, World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP and other prominent institutions to discuss the project and identify areas of partnership between LEDI and these institutions as LEDI fosters the library construction project. Mr. Darkortey held these meetings while on an assessment mission in Liberia in mid-September 2013.
Amb. Malac also embraced the fact that Liberians in the Diaspora are organizing themselves to support the reconstruction and recovery process of Liberia. The Ambassador indicated that the challenges of the country can only be addressed when everyone, including Diaspora Liberians coming together to face the challenges. For his part, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Hon. Liu Yunbiao praised the project and said that the Chinese government is committed to the development of Liberia and would therefore support the library construction project.
While in the country, Mr. Darkortey met with private as well as public institutions and prominent individuals to promote the library project as well as to identify local and international partnership in Liberia. According to the LEDI leader, the project generated enormous interest and support in the country. Mr. Darkortey met with officials of the Ministry of Public Works, Education, Internal Affairs, and County Superintendents.
One of the goals of the assessment mission was to identify a piece of land in Monrovia or in the other counties to start the library construction. LEDI is seeking partnerships with county leadership to identify land to commence the construction process.
Mr. Darkortey said when completed, these libraries would provide access to technology and improve computer literacy; provide access to online technical educational resources that support the labor force; provide job readiness resources; create opportunities to improve reading and research; provide other economic empowerment resources as well as inspiring a new generation of infrastructural development in the country.
While speaking to the media, Mr. Darkortey called on all Liberians, despite their economic status or social affiliation, to join this self-help project that is being undertaken by ordinary people seeking to bring extraordinary development to Liberia. He said “We cannot continue to hope and wait that someday, from somewhere, somehow, someone will show up to do for us what we can do for ourselves. Let’s take charge of our challenges now.”
Public Affairs Department
Liberia Economic Development Initiative (LEDI)
216-202-LEDI (5334) | 216-577-3177
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