President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has challenged 26 newly commissioned officials of Government that merit, performance hard work, reward and integrity are elements that will be used to evaluate them during her second term.
She thanked those officials that are continuing in the second term for their support, but informed them that staying on in this term requires commitment to change, hard work, results and going the extra mile to meet the needs of the people. "In this second term, merit, performance, hard work, reward and integrity must all go hand in hand to foster the agenda for change we envision for the people. Those who will not measure up to the task will have to give way for others," President Sirleaf informed the commissioned officials.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader emphasized that this commissioning ceremony was solemn and special because inclusive was the signing of the Code of Conduct, the pending signing of the Performance Contract, and the expectation for efficient delivery to the people which should not be seen as an ordinary event.
"In this hall are leaders of our country watching you as you take your commissions. They expect that you will perform. The documents you have also signed should be kept alive and not be a historical memento," President Sirleaf emphasized, adding, "You therefore have the option to keep these jobs for five years or lose it to someone else."
Speaking on behalf of the commissioned officials, Ambassador Francis Karpeh, Director Tarnue Marwolo and Minister Samuel Kofi Woods, in separate remarks, praised the President for being an exemplary leader who leads by good example.
Director Marwolo recounted his role in the Sirleaf administration since 2006 and described her as a leader dedicated to transforming Liberia for the betterment of all Liberians. He argued that working as a public servant is not just another job, but rather a call to national duty that must be taken seriously. He assured the President that he will stand by her to the point of achievement.
For his part, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Royal Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg and the European Union, His Excellency Francis T. Karpeh, on behalf of his colleagues, said they were taking their assignment to Liberia's foreign missions knowing that they have the full support of the President, and he described their preferment as a demonstration of confidence in their ability to perform.
He promised that the missions will reflect the stature of the Government and the Liberian State, and that they will strive to deepen the existing relations with bilateral and multilateral institutions. "Foreign missions are integral parts of foreign relations and attraction, and so we must ensure cordial relationship in the discharge of our duties," Ambassador Karpeh stated.
On behalf of his ministerial colleagues, Public Works Minister Woods thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and said they had come to commit themselves to stewardship and service. He told the audience that the commissioning ceremony must compel all to reflect on the fundamental governance questions that must be answered to find solutions to the people's plight and problems.
"We must radically change the concept of public service, taking into account the resistance to reform from within government. All officials of government must be agents of reform by first seeking to honor people who do the right things," Minister Wood emphasized. He urged Liberians to stop paying lip-service and pulling each other down. "Let's adopt the crane syndrome and move away from the crab syndrome by lifting each other up instead of pulling our friends down," the Public Works Minister stressed.
Officials of Government commissioned at Monday's ceremony included: Attorney Samuel Kofi Woods, Minister of Public Works; Mrs. Miata Beysolow, Minister of Commerce and Industry; and Mrs. Etmonia David Tarpeh, Minister of Education. Others are Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr., National Security Advisor; and Dr. Emmanuel Dolo, National Youth Policy Advisor.
Still others were: Cllr. J. Augustine Toe and Mrs. Gladys Johnson, Commissioners, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission; Ambassador Francis Karpeh; Cllr. Krubo Kollie, Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea; Dr. Stephen B. Kennedy, Mrs. Jessie E. Duncan, and Mrs. Juanita R. Ramirez, Commissioners, National AIDS Commission; Ambassador Charles Minor, Chairman, Tax Review Board, while Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh, Anna Dennis, Cllr. Joseph Jallah and Lindsay Haines were commissioned as members.
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