MONROVIA – Mama J. Kamara, 67, beamed with smiles as she received her handshake package for 27 years of service to the Government of Liberia. She worked as a Reproductive Health Supervisor for the Ministry of Health, assigned in Margibi County.
“I am happy that I worked all these years without any hurt or negative incident nor administrative issue and today, I am being rewarded for my service. This is evidence that the Administration of President George Weah cares for employees who served and are being retired” she told the Civil Service Agency Team.
She is one of over 2,000 employees from 14 entities of the Government of Liberia who are receiving checks as handshake packages for their many years of service to the Government and people of Liberia, consistent with Section 60 2(d) of the Civil Service Human Resource Policy Manual of the GoL.
As a well-trained midwife with the Margibi County Health Team, she provided sexual and reproductive health information and services, including antenatal care and safe delivery care for pregnant women to the people of Margibi County. Mama alsoprovided family planning counselling services and performed normal deliveries for pregnant women.
“Today, I signed and received a check of US$420.00 as 60 percent of my handshake package for my long service to the Liberian people”, she graciously asserted.
According to Mr. James Thompson, Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), despite the difficult economic and financial conditions facing the country as a result of the Corona Virus Disease, President Weah was keen on ensuring that retirees received their handshake packages and got enrolled into the retirement pension program of the National Social Security &Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP).
The Liberian leader has since extended thanks and appreciation to the retired employees for the many years of dedicated service to the Government and people of Liberia. He regretted that due to COVID-19, the Government was unable to perform the colorful honoring program it had planned for the retirees.
Mr. Thompson quoted President Weah as saying “We are grateful for their contribution to our country and wish them all the best in their retirement. For those who will go on to serve their country in new roles, we also wish them a rewarding experience”.
Handshake payments to retired Government employees come in various amounts, ranging from US$350 to US$1,000, based on the number of years of government service. The payment exercise which started on April 27, 2020, is almost completed for retirees who worked in Montserrado and Margibi Counties.
Meanwhile, the Handshake Payment Teams of the CSA and MFDP endeavor to reach all retirees in person across the country, while observing strict social distancing and other health protocols designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Payments to retirees are conditioned on their presentation of the appropriate identification and the signing of their C1 Forms for pension processing with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP).