Germany was one of those nations whose military and civilian personnel set up medical sites in Liberia during the deadly Ebola virus disease crisis in 2014. The efforts of all of Liberia’s international partners helped beat back the virus and stopped the transmission of the virus.

After doing all of this, the German Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Ralph Timmermann, has told an audience comprising foreign diplomats and senior Liberian Government officials, including The Vice President, H. E. Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai that the Federal Republic of Germany will continue to support Liberia in its forward march.  

Ambassador Timmermann made the statement when he delivered a speech on his country’s 25^th Unity Day, which fell on Saturday, but was celebrated on Monday, October 5.

The German Envoy said they still remember their own devastating post-World War II destruction and that without help from outside, it would have been impossible for them to get back on their feet; adding: “Germany will continue to help Liberia to help itself.”

However, he stated that from their historical experiences no amount of external assistance can replace strong democratic institutions and good governance. “That is why I welcome the steps taken by the Government of Liberia to fight corruption in all its forms and urge it to deepen and strengthen this fight,” he stated.

Ambassador Timmermann further said that no amount of external assistance can be a substitute for inclusive growth, which is a driver of sustainable development.

While stating that investment conditions in Liberia for foreign and domestic investors have improved in recent years, he, however, cautioned that much still remains to be done. He praised the good historical track record of German companies in Liberia.

“There exists is a good legacy from the past, which we can build on. It is my conviction that Liberia as well as my own country would benefit greatly from increased trade and investment links with my country and as German Ambassador, I will do my best to promote them.”

Touching on the bilateral relationship between Liberia and Germany, Mr. Timmermann stated that it has never been stronger in recent years.

“Apart from the massive engagement of Germany in the fight of Ebola, Madam President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited my country no less than 3 times in the past 18 months, twice upon invitation of the German Chancellor Mrs. Angela Merkel in the G7-outreach conferences, which Germany chairs this year. There was also a high level joint visit to Monrovia in April of this year of the German Ministers for Health and for Economic Cooperation, accompanied by a large delegation of parliamentarians from the German Bundestag and German media.”

Responding, Vice President Boakai praised and thanked the German Embassy near Monrovia for putting off celebrating their Unity Day in 2014 as a mark of solidarity with Liberia, which was still battling the Ebola virus disease.

On the German Unity Day, Vice President Boakai recalled that approximately 28 years ago, the Berlin Wall, which was constructed in 1961, divided the German people; thereby creating East and West Germany.

According to the Vice President, since becoming a united Germany, it has become one of the largest economic powers in Europe and that Liberia can learn many good things from a united Germany’s experiences.

He stated that the German government has demonstrated “strong solidarity with the Government of Liberia during and after our civil war; and in particular during the critical time of need as we battle the unprecedented outbreak of the Ebola virus disease.”

The Liberian Vice President stated that Germany’s benevolence has further strengthened the ties between the two nations.

Both Vice President Boakai and Ambassador Timmerman along with other guests gracing the occasion, toasted to the long-standing ties existing between both nations and for the good health of both Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Joachim Gauck.