The Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cameroon accredited to the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Beng’yela A. Gang, along with the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia have bided farewell and honored the Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of Liberia, H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., for the services he rendered the Government and People of Liberia, the general public and the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia while serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet. “We are again here, to tell thank you for always being with the diplomatic corps, speaking the truth in a friendly and patriotic manner, while defending the sovereignty of your country”, the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps stressed.
Ambassador Gang made the comments on Saturday, January 20, 2024, when he, on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia expressed; “I wish to thank H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of Liberia for his efforts in managing the foreign relations of Liberia in a manner and form that created a win-win situation for host country and embassies in Liberia”, Ambassador Gang said.
Ambassador Gang further said that the Diplomatic Corps greatly appreciate the efforts of Ambassador Kemayah for making it accessible for Monrovia to connect United Nations in New York on a weekly basis for smooth coordination.
In separate comments from members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America, Madam Catherine Rodriguez, in brief statement, thanked Ambassador Kemayah for his dedication and services to country, noting that he was accessible during his time as Foreign Minister and thanked Minister Kemayah for prioritizing their requests both big or small in a timely manner, noting that she will not tell Ambassador Kemayah good bye but good kudos for service to country.
Both Her Excellency Amb. Nona Deprez, Head of Delegation of the European Union and Her Excellency Amb. Isabelle Le Guellec of the Republic of France expressed thanks and appreciation to Ambassador Kemayah for the role he played during their presentation of Letters of Credence to Former President Dr. George Manneh Weah on the eve of the first round of the General and Presidential Elections on October 10, 2023, noting that they wanted to be fully operational in order to move around during the elections, which Amb. Kemayah made possible.
The Charge d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Monrovia, Madam Kate Thomson said former Minister Kemayah was very supportive in several international fora, saying former Minister Kemayah further strengthen the bilateral ties subsisting between Great Britain and Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Liberia, Madame Christine N. Umutoni said through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the leadership of Former Minister Kemayah, all her partners have been able to have discussions with extraordinary openness and frankness reflecting everyone’s shared concern and best way forward, she personally thanked Former Foreign Minister Kemayah for all his support during his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs, calling such support of Ambassador Kemayah an extraordinary asset.
On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Liberia, Madam Umutoni presented a Special Plaque to Former Foreign Minister Kemayah, and in remarks before the presentation Madam Umutoni said: “the entire diplomatic corps and international partners in Liberia are grateful for the outstanding services to all of the Ambassadors, Heads of Mission, the entire Diplomatic Corps, Heads of International Organizations and the International Partners of Liberia mentioning that time flies and the Honoree has done well for Liberia, the UN Resident Coordinator asserted.
“You were consistently supportive, encouraging, and helpful during your time as Minister”. “It was wonderful to work with you. It is an amazing new phase of your professional career that you truly deserve”, Madam Umutoni said.
The UN Resident Coordinator underscored the transformation which took place in the short time under the leadership of Former Minister Kemayah at the Ministry, terming it as remarkable, noting that the reform has place the ministry in better shape.
Also gracing the occasion, Ambassador George Wallace, who is Former Foreign Minister of Liberia and also Former Advisor on Foreign Affairs to President George Manneh Weah. Ambassador George Wallace praised the tenacity of Ambassador Kemayah, stressing that Former Foreign Minister Kemayah is an astute diplomat par excellence, noting further that Ambassador Kemayah is a committed personality and very much dedicated to his work and is a gladiator in the field of diplomacy, Ambassador Wallace concluded.
Former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madam Thelma E. Duncan-Sawyer said Ambassador Kemayah served as mentor to her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that Former Foreign Minister Kemayah is a decent Man with character of high repute. Madam Duncan-Sawyer further stressed that “Minister Kemayah is a great boss to work with and I look forward to future engagement”, she concluded.
For her part, Rev. Mrs. Dialokai-Golanyon Kemayah, Wife of Foreign Minister Kemayah, who was also invited to accompany her husband to the ceremony rained praises on Ambassador Kemayah, calling him her mentor.
“I prayed to God to give me a husband, he did not just give me a husband, but a mentor, brother, best friend and everything to me,” Rev. Mrs. Kemayah stressed, as she beamed with smile. “What I just heard from all of you about my husband is like a song to a choir. I have known him for more than thirty years and we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary”, Rev. Mrs. Kemayah further said.
In continuance, Rev. Mrs. Kemayah said her husband, Former Minister Kemayah is supportive in every area that makes a happy couple and always honor him for being her mentor and nurturing their children in a moral way.
“I thank God for him being a dedicated public servant and committed worker whereever he works, a servant to humanity in general, a humanitarian, hardworking, and humble,” she said. “He is my promise fulfilled by God”.
Academically, Rev. Mrs. Kemayah recalled her husband telling her to do more study if she came from school and mention scoring 94%, adding that he would ask for the highest score in the class, pointing out to her that she should not be complacent because he knows her ability, referring to him as a courageous husband which God blessed her with.
“I am grateful to God because some others will not give this support; it becomes hard for them to do,” she praised her husband in front of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners during the honoring reception of her husband by them at the Mamba Point Hotel.
Rev. Mrs. Kemayah concluded that they have not only been serving God, but humanity, adding that she, her husband and family will continue to do so, cautioning the audience to make use and account for the stewardship God grants because anything God gives one, the person is to account for their stewardship, adding that it is by the grace of God that her husband served very well.
In response to the honor bestowed on him, Liberia’s Former Foreign Minister Kemayah on behalf of his wife, family, and in his own name passionately expressed profound gratitude to the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners for the honor, adding that “we have become one family, and as the Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy said, she is not telling me good bye, instead she gave me kudos for my public service, she is right becausei we are right around, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator is also right to say that as Ambassador, I’m also a part and one of you. Ambassador Kemayah as always termed the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners as indispensable partners of Liberia, who mean very well for Liberia and the Liberian People. Former Foreign Minister Kemayah expressed his deepest appreciation to the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners for the very kind words reaffirmed by all of them and the confidence reposed in him over the years of working, coordination, cooperation and partnership. Foreign Minister Kemayah stressed that as always, he will continue to stand for transparency and accountability and truth and speak the truth, no matter what. Ambassador Kemayah acknowledged Former President George Manneh Weah’s deep personal and political mentorship to him spanning over the last 6 years of humble, but dedicated and determined service to the country and its people. Former Foreign Minister Kemayah paid tribute to his Wife, Rev. Mrs. Dialokai Golanyon-Kemayah and his Family for the sustained courage, hindsight, forthright and unreserved support to him during his public service referring to his wife as blessings and God sent to him.