Senior Officers Urged to Apply Education

More than 90 Liberian senior, middle and junior officers graduating from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration or GIMPA, have been challenged by Liberian authorities to apply the education acquired to professionally run the different national security agencies they represent.

High ranking officers from the Liberia National Police (LNP), Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) and Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) jointly graduated at the Police Training Academy in Paynesville on Saturday, 24 September after post- graduate diploma and certificate training in Ghana. The Ghanaian agency that trained the Liberian securities, GIMPA, said Irish Aid funded the program. Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony in Paynesville on Saturday, 24 September, Assistant Justice Minister for Litigation, Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, challenged the graduates to see in them professionalism, discipline and diligence.

Cllr. Fayiah suggested that education would be meaningless if it is not shown in one’s conduct; reminding the graduates that they will now be serving as ambassadors of Liberia and GIMPA, having acquired there quisite education to ensure that the LNP, BIN and DEA have new outlook.

He said such challenge demands more from the senior officers, and expressed happiness that the officers will add more momentum to the work of the Ministry of Justice. Minister Fayiah thanked the Irish Government for the support towards the program; and requested that similar assistance given to GIMPA be extended to Liberia to help improve the Liberia Police Training Academy or LNPTA in Paynesville.

Among the graduates were the new Police Inspector General, Col. Gregory Coleman and deputies. Inspector General Coleman said by virtue of his nomination by President Ellen Johnson -Sirleaf and his subsequent confirmation by the Liberian Senate, it was indeed evident of the professional work of GIMPA.

He expressed gratitude to the Irish government for its support to the program, and also appreciated GIMPA for the comfort enjoyed during the time of the program in Ghana. He reminded his fellow graduates of the task to serve one people and a glorious nation.

Between 2013 and 2016, the Irish Aid has funded the implementation of five rounds of graduate training programs provided by GIMPA aimed at enhancing administration and management capacity among middle and senior ranking members of Liberia’s law enforcement agencies.
Some of the graduates received Diploma level qualification from GIMPA, while others received Certificate qualifications.

Irish Aid Head of Development Emma Warwick said the BIN, DEA and LNP form the backbone of Liberia’s civil security forces.

She said as UNMIL draw down continues and full security responsibility in the ‘hands’ of Liberia’s national authorities, it was now more than ever essential that those who have graduated employ the skills they have gained from GIMPA and set an example of best practice and
professionalism for their fellow officers.

“Being here today to celebrate the graduates’ considerable accomplishments is a source of great pride for Irish Aid and for the people of Ireland,” she said.-Edited by George Barpeen