Ukraine Zelensky bestows highest honor on Kemayah

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has conferred the ‘Order of Merit (1st Degree)’ on Liberia’s Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr for his significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian President issued and published on his official website Decree No. 902/2022 of December 30, 2022, to appreciate and recognize the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia for his exemplary stewardship towards the promotion of the rule-based international order, global peace and security in the context of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and international law.  

In a communication from the Government of Ukraine dated Saturday, December 31. 2022 addressed to Foreign Minister Kemayah,  informing him about the highest award from President Zelensky, H.E. Mr. Yurii Pyvovarov, Ambassador of Ukraine accredited to Liberia wrote: “Dear Mr. Minster, I have the great pleasure to inform you of the great news (quoting word for word)”: “By the Decree of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky No. 902/2022 of December 30, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, Mr. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah was awarded the Order of Merit (1^st Degree) for a significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, support of State sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

The communication from the government of Ukraine continues: “My sincere congratulations to you, Dear Minister, from me personally and all Ukrainians! We look forward to your visit to Kyiv in early 2023. Happy New Year 2023: Sincerely Yours, Ambassador Yurii Pyvovarov, Ambassador of Ukraine accredited to Liberia. “

In response to the honor from President Zelensky of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Kemayah, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia; and in the name of his family and himself extended profound gratitude to H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine and the Government and people of Ukraine for awarding him the Order of Merit (1^st Degree).

Responding further, Minister Kemayah immediately dedicated his honor from President Zelensky to President George Manneh Weah and the Government and People of Liberia and his family for the confidence reposed in him, as well as the unwavering support and opportunity to serve.

The Ukrainian Chevaliers Order of Merit (1st Degree) is the highest rank in this category of national honor awarded to distinguished individuals for their outstanding achievements in international affairs, government, economic, military, cultural and political spheres of society.

The former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma established the ‘Chevaliers Order of Merit’ on September 22, 1996.    

Meanwhile, minutes after the news of the award, tons of congratulatory messages began and continue to pour in at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Foreign Minister Kemayah.

Political pundits assert that the award is another clear indication that the work of Foreign Minister Kemayah transcends the borders of Liberia, noting that his performance has been recognized and appreciated on the global stage, evidenced by this award from President Zelensky.   

President Zelensky also presented Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (3rd Degree), including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Catherine Colonna, with the Order of Princess Olga (3rd Degree) each for their significant personal contributions to strengthening interstate cooperation, support for Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Recently, Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu and Secretary General Jefferson Tamba Koijee of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) rained praises on the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his outstanding work and exemplifying leadership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chairman Morlu described the Minister of Foreign Affairs as one of the pillars of success in the CDC Government. He also stressed that the CDC is proud of its decision to support His Excellency Amb. Kemayah in his role as Foreign Minister. 

Chairman Morlu mentioned that the Foreign Minister is determined to strengthen and promote Liberia’s foreign policy. He averred that Minister Kemayah has been working to improve and promote Liberia’s foreign policy for the past five years.

Chairman Morlu assured that Amb. Kemayah would continue to serve as Foreign Minister until the Day of Judgment if he (Chairman Morlu) had the appointing authority.

The Chairman called on assistant and deputy ministers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lend their fullest support to the reforms minister Kemayah has initiated at the Ministry to implement President Weah’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).