Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf gave an interview to Carrie Gracie of the BBC World Service in June 2006, six months after she became president of Liberia. She discussed the state of the country and its struggle to recover from two civil wars.

When asked why she continued to return to Liberia rather than “just stay away” from its many problems, President Johnson-Sirleaf said, “Because I know Liberia has the potential to change. It has the resources and the basis to be a successful country. Just going to Liberia and see the change. There’s no more despair in the eyes of our young people. There’s now hope. There’s now promise in the future. That’s the beginning of the long road back. … The challenges are great, the obstacles are many, but the potential is equal.”

Additional Interview With Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Johnson-Sirleaf spoke with David Frost on “Frost Over the World” on Oct. 3, 2008, about economic development in Liberia and the war crimes charges against former Liberian President Charles Taylor.

Johnson-Sirleaf recounted her life in an April 7, 2009, with PBS’ Tavis Smiley, touching on her education in America, life-threatening experiences during the civil wars, and the 2005 presidential election.

To learn more about Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, read her profile on findingDulcinea.