The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, has called on the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to remain dutiful and law-abiding as they project themselves as citizen-soldiers.
President Weah further praised personnel of the AFL for their services rendered, nationally and internationally, which has made Liberia claim her place in international peacekeeping missions.
His Excellency, President Weah, said the AFL is an important participant in the implementation of his government’s development agenda, the “Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD)”, adding that the AFL has a frontline role in different development initiatives across the country, ranging from construction work on the 14 Military Hospital, collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works on road repairs to rehabilitations and renovation of houses in barracks around the country.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia made these remarks at an in-door program marking the observance of the 64th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia, held at the Barclay Training Center, Thursday, February 11, 2021.
The President also assured the men and women in arms of his unflinching support to their professional development and welfare, adding that he will ensure that massive renovation work is carried at the various barracks to address the issue of inadequate accommodation facing military personnel and their dependents.
The Liberian leader further promised to strengthen the logistical capacity of the Engineering Company of the AFL so that, in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, it can respond to the necessity of road construction in the country.
The President also revealed that the Minister of Defense, Major General Daniel D. Ziankahn, has informed him about a plan to activate the Agricultural Company of the Armed Forces of Liberia, to include AFL veterans, in order to deal with the issue of food insecurity in Liberia.
For his part, the Minister of National Defense, Ziankahn, said, “The Armed Forces of Liberia has a unique opportunity to plan for the future, and now is the time to build a military that will cater to the future needs of our country; a military that will continue to represent the admiration of the Liberian people.”
The defense boss called for budgetary allocation to begin the recruitment and training process of the AFL and the investment in infrastructure improvement at various military barracks to meet the accommodation needs of military personnel and their growing families, as well as provide the basic needs that reflect sustenance of the men and women in arms.
This year’s Armed Forces Day, which was held under the theme, “The Military In Democracy”, was observed with limited attendance due to the COVID-19 protocol.