The Vice President of Liberia, Joseph N. Boakai, has launched the Lofa Investment Corporation to bring sustainable development to the county.

   Making the declaration last Thursday, Vice President Boakai accordingly launched two million shares to sustain the corporation at 25 Liberian dollars and one United States Dollar per share.

  “No matter what assistance we may receive, unless the uncles of Foya, the nephews and nieces of Kolahun, Voinjama, Barkiedu, Zorzor and Salayea come home in business investments, technical skills and voluntary contributions and services, there can be no sustainable development in this county,” Vice President Boakai observed.

  He was speaking at the opening of the Lofa Home Coming 2009 conference in the provincial headquarters of Voinjama.

  The two-day event, the first home coming of Lofa citizens from all parts of Liberia and from the Diaspora, discussed cultural activities, social issues, the rule of law, leadership and economic activities with the aim of forging an agenda for development of the county.

   Speaking further, the Liberian Vice President called for the hosting of inter-district academic competitions in subject areas such as spelling, mathematics, Liberian history, essay writing and debate clubs as part of the annual home coming.

  “We want to make the county active through women and youth participation. This should be an integral part of our goals, in addition to establishing a polytechnic university in Lofa. This is what will make us maintain our competitive advantage and help us return to our tradition of hard work,” he added.

  Meanwhile, organizers and participants of the 2009 Lofa County Home Coming which ended on Friday, December 25, have expressed concern about the strained relations between the six tribes of County and called on all Lofaians to intervene in the enhancement of peace and harmony in the county.

  In a resolution issued at the end of the conference, participants called for a speedy resolution of the land dispute between citizens of Quardu Gboni and Voinjama Districts.

  The conference also resolved that the Lofa County Home Coming be held annually on a rotational basis, and that local dialects and traditional values be taught in schools in the county.

  In the resolution, the citizens also called for the interpretation of the Liberian Constitution in the local dialects to ensure easy comprehension of the organic laws of the country.

  The conference also resolved that any would-be aspirant to political office be voted into power not based on tribal affiliation, but based on the candidate’s ability to influence the development of his county. 

  The conference also resolved that participants of the home coming comprise three members from each district-representatives of youth, women and traditional chiefs.