The former Foreign Minister of Liberia, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., continued to receive great commendation for his selfless leadership and remarkable achievement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his time in office.
The latest comes from the veteran diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador George Wallace, and Former Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thelma E. Duncan-Sawyer. The two officials said they believed that former Minister Kemayah has left an indelible mark at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one that will forever be remembered.
Ambassador Wallace and Sawyer were very cheerful as they paid tribute to former Foreign Minister Kemayah recently in Monrovia. Ambassador Wallace, in his remarks, described Ambassador Kemayah as a committed personality and an incisive diplomat par excellence.
“The Minister is always looking for the very best things for this nation… hardworking man. What he stands for is the truth and the correctness of things. In this co-diplomacy, we find fine people, fine people who are also delighted that they are serving in the Republic of Liberia, and we have come together to host this reception for him. it is an indication of respect for Minister Kemayah,” former Foreign Minister Wallace stated.
The former Deputy Minister for Administration, Thelma Duncan-Sawyer, said, “The Minister made us work because the minister works and because we believed in the minister and the integrity he wants for the country. He gave us the energy to serve the country. He is a good man. He is honest and have integrity.”
Former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duncan-Sawyer disclosed that Ambassador Kemayah served as mentor to her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that Former Foreign Minister Kemayah is a decent man with a character of high repute. Duncan-Sawyer further underscored that “Minister Kemayah is a great boss to work with, and I look forward to future engagement”.
For her part, Rev. 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. Kemayah emphasized, 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. Kemayah continued.
Rev. Kemayah further said that her husband, former Minister Kemayah, is supportive in every area that makes a happy couple, and she always honors 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 wherever he works, a servant to humanity in general, a humanitarian, hardworking, and humble,” she said. “He is my promise fulfilled by God.”
Academically, Rev. Kemayah recalled her husband telling her to do more study when she came from school, and mentioned scoring 94% in the classroom. She stated 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. She referred to him as a courageous husband which God blessed her with.
“I am grateful to God because some others would not give this support; it becomes hard for them to do,” she said, praising her husband in front of the diplomatic corps and international partners during his honoring reception at the Mamba Point Hotel.
Rev. Kemayah concluded that they have not only been serving God, but humanity, adding that she, her husband and family will continue to do so. She cautioned the audience to make use and account for the stewardship God grants because anything God gives is to be accounted for in stewardship, adding that it is by the grace of God that her husband served very well.
In response to the honor bestowed on him, 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. “We have become one family, and as the Charge d’Affaires of the United States embassy said, she is not telling me goodbye; instead, she gave me kudos for my public service. She is right because 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 has 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.
He underscored 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. He paid tribute to his wife, Rev. 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 blessing and God-sent.
