United States new Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, has assured practical working relationship as part of strategies to buttress the acceleration of major development activities in Liberia’s second historical County, Grand Bassa. Ambassador Toner, who has spent about a month in Liberia since he took over from Ambassador Michael McCarthy, is on an engagement tour in Grand Bassa County with his first stop being recorded in an interactive forum in Buchanan with the Local Government that is presided over by Superintendent Julia K. Bono.The Head of the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia’ visitation spotlighted his historical residential experience in Grand Bassa while serving as Peace Corp Personnel over 30 years ago; as he committed the U.S. Government to a continuous cohesive and action-driven partnership in the areas of Road Connectivity, Good Governance, Sanitation, Education and Agriculture. The commitment sprung out of a topnotch presentation of the County Development Plan by Superintendent Bono, with emphasis placed on Sanitation, Agriculture, Youth capacity building through TVET and infrastructure development in-line with strengthening road network, and also lauded the United States Government for placing the County of Hospitality on its priority Agenda. The Tuesday, September 24 interaction reflected on the outstanding traditional relationship that exists between the government and people of Liberia and the government and Citizens of the United States of America, as the both Authorities exchanged pleasantries through Gift presentation. All these incredible moments were experienced in addition to a memorable traditional welcome by the Chiefs and Elders led by the Traditional Grand Zoe, Edward Garmah and the Chairman of the Chiefs Council of Bassa, Jacob O. Gboyah, with a governmental embracement performed by Buchanan City Mayor, George B. Gaybueh. The Chiefs and Elders, on behalf of the people of Grand Bassa, also bestowed a traditional name upon the Ambassador; of which interpretation says: “Nation Builder”. Additionally, the U.S. Ambassador through Internews’ arrangement; had a Media discussion via Radio Gbehzohn that focused more on the local happenings and the American Government’s plan in contributing to the advancement of the County and Liberia. Meanwhile, the itinerary of Ambassador Mark Toner will allow him to have Dinner with U.S. State Fellows based in Grand Bassa and similarly interact with female Journalists of Liberia as well as get an appreciable experience of the Local Environment by making some rounds. By: Onesimus S. Garway Sr./ County Information Officer.