This is laudable and worthy of praise

By Emmanuel wise Jipoh 

Outgoing President George Manneh Weah has described the newly refurbished Ministry of Foreign Affairs building as commendable achievement worthy of praise especially, for a government that has often been criticized and accused falsely of corruption.

President Weah said the dedication of the refurbished building coupled with launch of revised passport regulations, demonstrates a high level of patriotism and commitment of his government to the Liberian people, ensuring a smooth continuation in governance.

The President commends the people and Kingdom of Morocco and Saudi Arabia for their generous supports respectively that have given the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a new and modern facelift.

He hails Foreign Minister Dee Saah Maxwell Kemayah and his team for their dedicated services by the level of work done so far in a short three-year period they have served.

President Weah reiterates that Minister Kemayah and his team duly understood the philosophy of former United States President John F. Kennedy, who once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

He notes Kemayah and his team have truly exemplified this philosophy of President Kennedy by the level of work done so far at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Weah says if Liberians were to assist his government in a meaningful way like the refurbishing of the Foreign Affairs building, Liberia could rapidly be developed, as their patriotic efforts could have been recognized.

He urges Liberians to do whatever little they can to modernize the country, noting that Liberia has come too much of age to still be stunted at the level of underdeveloped countries in which they find themselves.

The renovation process at the Foreign Ministry includes modernized offices on the First, Second, and Third Floors, cars packing lot, three elevators, and an entire wireless basement on each floor, among others.

President Weah, during the dedicatory ceremony in excitement, rained praises on Minister Kemayan and his team for observing the Public Procurement Policy Concession Commission during the renovation process at the ministry. 

In response, Kemayah names reform and transformation as his greatest achievement since entering government in October 6, 2020 up to date.

Minister Kemayan points that reform at the Foreign Ministry, including the passport department which has been revised with both Diplomatic and general passports now valid for six years, rather than five years previously.

He says under his regime as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he has institutionalized reform as key to the transformation of the Ministry, while embarking on the closure of ‘black market’ in the ministry.

Providing an overview of the project, Deputy Foreign Minister for Administration, and Project Coordinator, Thelma E. Duncan Sawyer, said the ceremony demonstrated that Kemayah is a man of vision, who has not only replicated but clearly executed the vision and blueprint of President Weah, as an excellent leader.

Minister Sawyar said the dedication of the refurbished building was key in making the Ministry of Foreign Affairs number one, while expressing gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Morocco for generously funding the project.

Mr. John S. Youboty, Chief Executive Officer of the Modern Development Management Corporation (MDMC) a Liberian-owned contractor, who implemented the project, describes their service to refurbish the building as an opportunity to showcase what Liberian contractors are made of.

Mr. Youboty did not give the total cost of the project but revealed that it was partially funded by both the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia and Morocco, which he highly acknowledges. Editing by Jonathan Browne