The President of the Republic of Liberia, and Grand Master of Distinction, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah on Monday, December 21, 2020 decorated Liberia Chief Diplomat, Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr., with one of Liberia’s highest honors. The President admitted Minister Kemayah into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the Grade of Knight Grand Band.
During the investiture ceremony held in the office of the President at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Liberian Chief Executive applauded Minister Kemayah for the level of obligation he has exhibited since he was appointed in public service.
“You went to the UN, worked diligently and brought pride to us, that allowed your succession as Foreign Minister of Liberia,” President Weah noted, and urged the Foreign Minister to continue the true manifestation of his service by promoting the government’s policies and goals.
“I just want to use this occasion to tell you thank you for your service… Thank you for the friendship. What you are doing is a true display of your diligence to duty, and what you have achieved in a short time,” President Weah said to the decorated Dean of the Cabinet.
Subsequently, President Weah on the same day held an investiture ceremony in honor of two distinguished ECOWAS and UN Envoys posted to Liberia for their exceptional services to the country and its people during their tour of duties as representatives of their respective institutions.
President George Manneh Weah decorated Ambassador Babatunde O. Ajisomo, Accomplished Career Diplomat & International Civil Servant and Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission to Liberia and Dr. Kingsley Okpoku – Amaning, Astute Diplomat and International Civil Servant, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, during the ceremony, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also bestowed traditional Liberian names on the foreign diplomats.
In a special statement during the ceremony, President Weah expressed thanks to the honorees, Amb. Ajisomo and Dr. Amaning, describing them as two of the most outstanding diplomats who have been assigned to Liberia.
President Weah admitted Amb. Ajisomo into the Unique Order of African Redemption with the grade of Grand Band, while also admitting Dr. Amaning into the Order of the Star of Africa with the grade of Grand Commander.
As the two diplomats end their respective tour of duties in Liberia, President Weah told them that the investiture ceremony held in their honor was not meant to only tell them goodbye, but it was meant to also express profound gratitude to them for their invaluable, dedicated, exemplary, and highly effective services to the people of Liberia.
The Chief of Protocol of the Republic of Liberia, Rev. Jervis A. Witherspoon, reading the citation for Amb. Babatunde said the Nigerian diplomat has been facilitating the implementation of ECOWAS’ policies, protocols and decisions of the Authority of Heads of States including the activities of ECOWAS Specialized Agencies.
He noted that the ECOWAS Envoy’s tireless and active negotiations to mediate and resolve political disputes in Liberia, adding that prominent among his activities are his commendable, personal and constructive engagements towards peace – building and dialogue among state actors and civil society.
Additionally, the Chief of Protocol noted while reading the citation for Dr. Kingsley Okpoku – Amaning, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, that the UN Envoy was posted in Liberia in September 2019 as Resident Coordinator of the UN System.
He added that Dr. Amaning has rendered enormous and invaluable services to the nation and its people in providing support for the enhancement of the national development programs and projects.
The honorees in separate remarks expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of Liberia for conferring the national honors on them in recognition of their services to Liberia.