The Foreign Ministers of the Republics of Liberia and Cameroon have agreed to work for the establishment of a Joint Commission for Technical Cooperation between their two countries.

Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon, Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, made the commitment during bilateral discussions held at the Cameroonian Ministry of External Affairs at the end of the just ended First Ministerial Conference of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), held in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé. They agreed that officials and technicians from both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia and the Ministry of External Affairs of Cameroon will sort out the details leading to the establishment of the Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission aims to focus on agriculture, education, forestry, sports as well as trade and commerce.

The Foreign Ministers recalled the historical ties and friendship between both countries dating back to 1919 when Liberia played a pivotal role at the League of Nations when German-Cameroon was placed under trusteeship and the 1960’s during the struggle for independence in Africa.

The two Ministers recounted the reciprocal visits of the late President William V.S. Tubman and President Ahmadou Ahidjo of both countries respectively and observed the need for stronger partnerships at the levels of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations as the effective ways to strengthen common interest at the global scene.

Minister Ngafuan who reminded his counterpart of the vital role Cameroon played in developing the talents of Liberians in the area of sports, specifically recalled Cameroon’s contribution in helping to mould the Liberian soccer legend, George Oppong Weah, as well as celebrated soccer star James Salinsa Debbah and Joe Nagbe: “Cameroon was a ‘Mecca’ for Liberian soccer players”, he added.

Minister Ngafuan used the opportunity to commend Cameroonian Ambassador accredited to Liberia Beng’yela Augustine Gang for being an exceptional ambassador and a “true representation of Cameroon in Liberia”.

The Liberian Foreign Minister also expressed gratitude to the Government and People of Cameroon for the successful hosting of the First Ministerial Conference of TICAD V in Yaoundé, Cameroon held from 4-5 May 2014. He averred that the warm reception and hospitality Cameroon accorded participants at the conference made him proud as an African.

Cameroon’s Foreign Minister Mbonjo, for his part, recounted the good works of the Liberian Embassy’s Minister Counselor/Charge d’Affaires, Mr. Siaka G. Fahnbulleh, Sr. which he said have restored and rekindled the strong bond of friendship between the two countries.  He committed himself to working closely with Minister Ngafuan to deepen and solidify the bilateral ties that have existed between the two countries for more than five decades.

Sitting through the discussions were Liberia’s Minister Counselor/Charge d’Affaires accredited to Cameroon, Mr. Siaka G. Fahnbulleh, Sr. and Cameroonian Ambassador accredited to Liberia Amb. Beng’yela Augustine Gang.