By: Leila Gbati
Liberia’s Labour Minister Moses Kollie recently held anAnti-Human Trafficking Taskforce meeting with foreign ambassadors in Monrovia, which endeavored to discuss the level of work Liberia has done toward the fight against human trafficking.
At the diplomatic engagement on Friday, August 4, 2023, Minister Kollie informed the ambassadors that the Government of Liberia has made tremendous fight against human trafficking, and they remain committed to said strive.
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He referenced that the United States Government has contributed immensely through diplomatic means and all other means for Liberia to achieve a high level graded to the human trafficking index.
The ambassadors were informed by Minister Kollie that base on support from the United States Government,the Liberian Government went through an exercise to determine heroes of human trafficking which was worldwide and Liberia was the only country in Africa that produce a few and they are grateful to him.
According to him, the Human Trafficking Department of the Ministry of Labour was able to repatretrate over 112 victims.
He also said that with the support from partners they were also able to convene a four-day symposium that was held atthe Baptist Seminary and with help from the United Nations and United States Embassy they were able to take the victims through entrepreneurship and physcosocial training.
“The very United States Government through IOM lace with Liberian government and provided 1500 United States Dollars with the first 50 percent to capacitate the victims. I have no idea of proceeding when the last U. S. report said they should focus on victims so he was invited to a IOM program at Mamba Point Hotel and it was discussed that these achievements was proper with the political will of the government,” he said.
The Minister of Labour added that United States also provided funding to IOM and they were able to established two additional safe homes emphasizing that through that same initiative they are at the verge of establishing safe homes in Grand Gedeh, Nimba and Lofa Counties.
“We cannot catalog all that the United States has done but we can only say in the Liberian way ‘thank you yaa’ on behalf of the National Human Trafficking Task force of Liberia,” he noted.
Chairman on Labour in a remark said they are glad that Liberia has been recognized for its efforts in programs put in place and mainly for the passage of the Law on Trafficking in Person.
He stated that they are very glad and if a comparative analysis is done on the laws of trafficking in person in the region, Liberia have one of the toughest which is a big applause for the country and West Africa which means Liberia stand up tall in the International Community.
“I just want to say thank you to all of you and the U. SCharge’d’Affaires Joel Maybury for his efforts made in repatriating our girls and sisters. Many times we have meeting here with them and programs have been put in place. I think it is a collective efforts and with Liberia our flag been raise higher it depends on all of us here, mainly you our partners to keep that flag high. Thank you for your corporation,” he asserted.
For his part, the US Charge’d’Affaires, Joel Maybury congratulated Liberia for making tremendous fight against Human Trafficking.
Mr. Maybury said the United States Government will continue to work with the government of Liberia as it relates to the fight against human trafficking.
