MONROVIA – On Friday, January 22, 2021, His Excellency, President George M. Weah, received the credentials of U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia Michael A. McCarthy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador McCarthy thanked President Weah for his gracious letter to U.S. President Joseph R. Biden expressing congratulations on his inauguration, noting it was one of the first such messages from an African country. The Ambassador underscored the honor of serving as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, a country with which the United States shares a storied history and cherishes enduring bonds of friendship, partnership, and family. President Weah conveyed his appreciation to the Biden
Administration for extending DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) status until June 30, 2022, noting that this action will provide time and relief to Liberians who have been in the United States for many years. Ambassador McCarthy hailed the extension as a sign of the longstanding partnership and friendship between the United States and Liberia.
Accompanied by his wife Sandra Acevedo McCarthy, Deputy Chief of Mission Alyson Grunder, and Defense Attaché LTC Matt Alden, Ambassador McCarthy highlighted the excellent collaboration between U.S. government agencies and Liberian health authorities in fighting COVID19 and expressed confidence the disease will be stamped out in Liberia with continued vigilance. He also noted the U.S. commitment to complete the new National Reference Laboratory as a state-of-the-art facility for infectious disease testing and research.
Both President Weah and Ambassador McCarthy agreed on the importance of nurturing Liberia’s youth and helping Liberia’s next generation of leaders meet their full potentials. Ambassador McCarthy noted that Peace Corps, USAID, and State Department educational and outreach programs
will continue to support our countries’ historic and important relationship, moving forward together.
Ambassador McCarthy thanked His Excellency President Weah and members of his cabinet including Minister of Foreign Affairs Dee-Maxwell Sah Kemayah, Acting Minister of State Trokon A. Kpui, and Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism Ledgerhood J. Rennie for the
warm welcome accorded to him and his family and noted his eagerness to work with the President and his cabinet in advancing the enduring and strong U.S.-Liberia relationship.