FACTS:
Population: 3,042,004
Superintendent: R. Jackson, Bong County
Superintendent: J. G. bleh bo Brown, Maryland County
Capital of Bong County: Gbarnga
Capital of Maryland County: Harper
Major Cities: Buchanon, Harper, Monrovia, Yekepa, Zwedru
Executive Committee Chair: Sharon Pinder, The Pinder Group
Map: Liberia
MOU: Agreement signed 2007
Noteworthy:
Prior to joining the Maryland-Liberia Sister States Committee, Ms. Harriett
Nettles was hard at work in Liberia. Learn more about her accomplishments
and mission. click here for newspaper
article.
August 2009 the State of Maryland – Liberia Sister State Program was awarded
a grant from Sister Cities International and the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation. The Maryland – Liberia Committee was one of only seven programs
country-wide chosen in the first round of proposals to begin projects in the
areas of water, sanitation, and health. More details can be found in the two
press releases below.
Engineers Without Borders has teamed up with the Maryland-Liberia Sister
State Committee to construct 4 culverts and resurface streets in Bong and
Maryland Counties, Liberia. This effort started on August 27, 2007 when the
State of Maryland made history by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with
Bong and Maryland Counties, Liberia, formalizing their Sister State
relationship. In January 2008, Maryland-Liberia committee member and
engineer Mike Posko and two other associates from Engineers Without Borders
traveled to Liberia to assess the feasibility of undertaking engineering
projects in Bong and Maryland Counties. The Project Team is finishing their
initial report and their most immediate focus will be directed towards
bridge and road construction and maintenance. In early June, 2008 members of
the Maryland-Liberia Sister State Committee will be traveling to Liberia.
While meeting with business, education, health care and government
officials, including President Johnson Sirleaf, the group will reciprocate
the ceremony by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with their
counterparts in Bong and Maryland counties.
Click here if you want to learn more about Engineers
Without Borders’ efforts to support Liberia.
MARYLAND/LIBERIA SISTER STATES DELEGATION TO TRAVEL TO LIBERIA ON A FACT
FINDING MISSION - click here for full press release.
Click here to access the
Maryland – Liberia High School Lesson Plan created by the Maryland – Bong
County/Maryland County Sister States Education Subcommittee in 2008. We are
pleased to put it on our website so that educators and others can have
immediate access to it.
Liberia: U.S. Delegation Pledges Support for Bong County
17 June 2008 ~ Alloycious David Monrovia
A visiting US delegation comprising of business, civic and education
leaders from the State of Maryland says it will assist with the development
needs of Bong County.
The head of the delegation, Madam Sharon R. Pinder told citizens at an
official welcoming program in Gbarnga City that they would assist with Bong
County's rebuilding program.
Madam Pinder, who is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pinder Group,
said the delegation was on a fact-finding mission aimed at identifying areas
where the State of Maryland in the United States could assist Bong County.
She said the State of Maryland last August 27, established a sister
states relationship with Bong and Maryland Counties via a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) signed by Maryland's (USA) Governor Martin O' Malley and
Superintendents Ranney B. Jackson and Sie Teba Neufville.
Pinder indicated that since the signing of the MOU, the State of Maryland
has been working to improve the living condition of Liberians, "but it was
now prudent that we come to see for ourselves."
She indicated that the visit is aimed at fostering the sister states
relationship which also seeks to revitalize the historic ties between the
State of Maryland and the Republic of Liberia.
Speaking at the welcoming program, which attracted several persons
representing various districts and tribal groups in Bong County,
Superintendent Jackson lauded the delegation and Maryland State Retired
Senator Michael Bowen Mitchell for the opportunity afforded his county.
Superintendent Jackson also assured the citizens that the people of the
State of Maryland were ready to assist them by undertaking some development
projects in their communities.
Prior to his remarks, the head of the delegation presented Superintendent
Jackson a gift and a personal letter from the Governor of the State of
Maryland, where he had worked and resided for 14 years.
The delegation also presented several items including the flag of the
State of Maryland, pencils, notepads, among others, to the people of Bong County.
Members of the delegation included retired Senator Michael Bowen
Mitchell, Madam Annette Smith Rich, CEO of Rich Roofing LCC and Dr. Emmanuel
Acquah, Executive Director of International Programs, University of Maryland
Eastern Shore (UMES).
Others are Morris T. Koffa, Environmental Engineer, Department of the
Environment Government of the District of Columbia; Dr. Joseph T. Isaac,
Executive Director of Baltimore City Community College and Madam Biah Kun,
Registered Nurse at the Washington Hospital Center.
The delegation was headed by Sharon R. Pinder, CEO of Pinder Group while
Dr. Robert L. Wallace, President and CEO of the BithGroup and Dr. P. Bai
Akridge, Interim Executive Director of Higher Education for Development
served as Co-Chair on Commerce and Education. |
