The United States Embassy in Monrovia has a new Public Affairs Officer. She is Sally Hodgson, a career journalist, who has worked for Voice of America, NBC Radio and U.S. News and World Report overseas prior to her career at the State Department.

Madam Hodgson replaces Madam Dehab Ghebreab who has taken up new assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.

The Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy on Thursday held a welcome reception in honor of Madam Hodgson, a former Cultural Affairs Officer in Caracas, Venezuela.

The welcome reception was attended by Liberian government officials, representatives of the educational system, journalists and civil society organizations' representatives.

During the reception, U.S. Embassy Charge d' Affaires Ambassador Michael R. Arietti told the audience that Madam Hodgson comes with a lot of experience having served as Public Affairs Officer in Reykjavik and Refugee Reporting Officer in Iraq.

The Chairman of the Workers Association at the U.S. Embassy, Joe Hoover Gbadyu welcomed Madam Hodgson and promised that they (local staff) would cooperate with her.

Press Union of Liberia Secretary General Charles Coffey said the Union was delighted in the arrival of Madam Hodgson and said he would look up to her to help with the issue of ethical transgression in the Liberian media.

Sister Mary Lauren Brown, President of Stella Maris Polytechnic welcomed the new U.S. Public Affairs Officer and wish that her mission in Liberia will be achieved.