IPNews-Monrovia: Liberia’s Vice President, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, addressing the Child Summit and Awards in Accra, Ghana, over the weekend, has classified the children of Africa as the Continent’s precious jewels and custodians of the its legacy.

According to a dispatch from Accra, Ghana, VP Howard-Taylor proffered that the celebration of the outstanding potentials, exceptional skills, and remarkable achievements of the children of Africa remain incomplete if Africans fail to stand firm for the protection of children against abuses such as rape, torture, child trafficking and female genital mutilation.

In her presentation, which drew applause from her audience, Madam Howard-Taylor, speaking   on the theme, “Strengthening Child Protection Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa” reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that all forms of violence against children are eliminated.

The Liberian Vice President made the comments yesterday, Saturday, September 7, 2019, when she served as Keynote Speaker at the Child Summit and Awards, held in Accra

The Summit and Awards was organized by the Accra-based Pan-African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Center (PALEDEC).

Chief Dr. Howard-Taylor, according to dispatch from Accra, Ghana, shared the platform with H.E. Princess Samoa A. Ansari, Investment Advisor for the Private Royal Offices,  Abu Dhabi,  Honorable Cynthia Mamie Morrison,  Ghanaian Minister of Gender, Children & Social Protection, Honorable Cecilia Abena Dapaah,  Ghanaian Minister for Sanitation & Water Resources, and Madam Marisa Beth Miller, CEO of Phoenix Global of the United Stated.

Madam Howard-Taylor also received the Grand Order of the Hand Merit Honor, the highest civilian recognition, in acknowledgement of her exceptional services for the protection of child rights and welfare.

The conferment was also said to be based on Madam Vice President’s distinct leadership qualities throughout her 20 years of public service, which has witnessed the empowerment of young girls through education, skills and training, under the flagship program of the Jewel Starfish Foundation.

Since 2015, PALEDEC has consistently organized this Summit and Awards in one of Africa’s Capitals with over 1,800 participants and over 70 Awardees spanning political leaders, celebrities, business leaders and civil society actors.

This year’s Summit and Awards witnessed the convergence of more than 100 participants from some 25 countries in Africa and beyond.

Meanwhile, Vice President of the Republic of  Liberia says the launch of the ‘Honors College of Research and Interdisciplinary Studies’, at the State-run University of Liberia is vital to the ongoing debate on gender issues in the country.

The College, according to UL authorities, offers two academic programs—a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Gender Studies and a 3-year certificate program in Research Studies.

Making special remarks Friday, September 6, 2019, at the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia, VP Howard who is a strong advocate for women, expressed her belief that the College when fully operational, will provide a safe space in which the national discourse can be broadened, elevated and substance added to the debate on gender issues.

According to her, though the views on the field of Gender Studies are diverse, they somehow encompass most academic disciplines including history, political science and literature, among others.

VP Howard-Taylor said: “For instance, in Anthropology, sociology and psychology, gender is often studied as a practice, whereas in culture studies representations of gender are more often examined. In politics, gender can be viewed as foundational discourse that state and political actors employ in order to position themselves for advocacy on a variety of issues”.

Commenting further on the College, the Liberian Vice President, according to a release from the office of the Vice President, described it at the nation’s premier institution of learning, the University of Liberia, as monumental milestone achievement.

She further expressed the hope that this discipline of study will open up new views of opportunity for engagement, research study and critical analysis of the ever evolving subject of debate.

In related development, VP Howard-Taylor has paid special tribute to UL Lecturer Madam Sandra Howard and other prominent individuals for their active involvement in the creation of the Ministry of Gender, now called the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

She recalled  when she was tasked by the then Head of State in 2000, to formulate a blue print for said endeavor, the first person she contacted was Madam Howard, her  Sibling, who provided an extraordinary oversight on the crafting of the Legislative document for the creation of the Ministry Gender.

VP Howard-Taylor recognized Madam Howard in the audience while expressing her gratitude for having a sibling who is always willing to impact others.

The Honors College of Research and Interdisciplinary Studies is headed by Assistant UL Professor Mamawa Freeman-Moore who is also the founding Director of the College.

Several dignitaries, predominantly females, including the Gender Minister Willemina Peso-Tarr and female advocate Telia Urey, among others.