Police Director Replaced, Abe Kromah Back

Police Director Chris Massaquoi has been replaced. Col. Massaquoi is replaced by a long-serving officer in the Liberia National Police, Col. Gregory Coleman – also a confidant of Col. Massaquoi. Vigilant Law Enforcer Abraham Kromah has also been reappointed Deputy Police Director for Operations.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf announced the new appointments in alive nationwide address from her temporary office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia on Friday, 16 September with just a little over a year to the expiration of her two consecutive terms.

President Sirleaf said Director Massaquoi continues to enjoy her confidence, suggesting that he has skills and will still be required by her government in another role to assist in leadership. New Police Chief Coleman, who has served under both Col. Massaquoi and Col. Kromah for years, will now bear the title of Inspector General or IG when confirmed by the Liberian Senate in line with the new Police Act of 2015 that coincides with his appointment by the president.

President Sirleaf noted that after due consultation with the National Security Council, “we move” to appoint the new Inspector General which has been long in the making, saying Inspector General Coleman is along-serving police officer who has been nurtured by outgoing Police Director Massaquoi She said.

Col. Massaquoi had encouraged Col. Coleman to acquire adequate training in the academic world to be better prepared for the task he now embarks upon. Regarding Col. Kromah’s return to the police after earlier being replaced in the midst of harsh public sentiments against a controversial motorcycle regulation process, President Sirleaf expressed the hope that he will be favorably considered to the post of Deputy Inspector General for Operations.

Having thanked the outgoing police chief for all of the years of service, President Sirleaf challenged his successor to execute the duty assigned the same way Mr. Massaquoi did. She also thanked the National Security Council for guiding the government, and further expressed confidence in the Liberian security sector, urging the council to continue to build upon what has been achieved amidst UNMIL’s draw down to ensure that the country is safe.

In remarks, outgoing Director Massaquoi expressed heartfelt thanks to President Sirleaf for the opportunity afforded him to serve in her government, saying he was very grateful. He pledged his continued loyalty to President Sirleaf as long as he lives, saying he believed in her.

He expressed confidence that all the trust and expectation that the government has in newly appointed Inspector General Coleman would be met. Liberia’s Defense Minister Brownie Samukai, Justice Minister and Attorney Generla Cllr. Frederick Cherue, National Security Advisor H. Boimah Fahnbulleh, as well as Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, among others, were present when the president made the live pronouncement.

By Winston W. Parley-Edited by George Barpeen