STRICT MEASURES ON PRESIDENT SIRLEAF'S MEETINGS - Press Secretary Cyrus Badio Says During Regular Press Briefing

Clara K. Mallah, clara.mallah@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monrovia -

Presidential press secretary, Cyrus W. Badio, at his regular press  briefing, said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will no longer be meeting with potential investors and prospectors as it has been in past. He says the meetings of such groups will be done by the National Investment Commission which will continue to perform that role.
Mr. Badio said the measure is meant to enable the president to be as accessable to the citizens of Liberia as she wants to be, and be able to focus at the same time on the intense work required to rebuild Liberia. The press secretary noted anyone requesting a meeting with the president must submit a formal and or emailed letter to address to the Ministry of State. “The Letter should include the names of all persons hoping to attend, including titles, contact telephone numbers and emails, the purpose of the meeting and the request agenda or list of talking points. The letter should also have background to your organization and recent achievements (if appropriate) profiles of the foreign dignitaries or guests,” Mr. Badio said.
The Press Secretary further said invitation to events must be submitted 30 days prior to the event which he says will allow the office of the president to assess the schedule and respond to the request.  Mr. Badio noted that the invitation must include background of the organization and the event, details of the what role the you hope the President can fulfill and if available, a draft program and guest list for the event.
Mr. Badio said the invitation sent to the President does not indicate the President’s participation. But said a written letter of consent from the office of the president or a response to an invitation is required to announce the president’s participation or to include her name on the program.
“If your request is accepted, after you receive a letter confirming the president’s participation from the Ministry of State, you will be required to submit a program and guest list no less than working days before the event. And the protocol office will collaborate on the final program to enable the president to fit her attendance into her full schedule,” the Press Secretary mentioned.
On the part of media institutions, Mr. Badio said all request from media institutions for interviews and or audiences with the president should be directed to the Public Affairs Department, the office of the Communication director to the President or press secretary of the President.