Monrovia – Ranking family members of fallen Liberian Journalist, Fanta Sulamane Diakite on Friday, September 17, 2016 paid a courtesy call on President Ellen Johnson at her Foreign Ministry Office in Monrovia.
According to an Executive Mansion release, a Special statement of thanks and appreciation, read by Ambassador Brahima Kaba was presented to the Liberian leader as a mark of gratitude and respect for standing by the family during the passing of Journalist Fanta Sulamane Mamadee Diakite.
“Madam President, through you, we wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the Vice President, Minister of Information and other officials of government, the Press Union of Liberia as well the Liberian people for their overwhelming demonstration of solidarity, sympathy and condolence over the passing of our beloved departed Mamadee”, the statement pointed out.
The statement further acknowledged that Mamadee built his short but exemplary legacy of true investigative journalism devoid of partisanship and biases based on a strong institution of press freedom and freedom of expression by the Sirleaf-led government.
The family noted that such qualities brought recognition from both the upper echelons and grass-roots of the Liberian society as well as from the international media.
The statement concluded by calling on young Liberian media professionals to emulate Mamadee’s examples so as to continue the valuable contribution in strengthening Liberia nascent democracy.
President Sirleaf thanked the Diakite family for the recognition but pointed out that the fallen media professional deserved the honor he received in death.
She repeated her assertion that Mamadee was a professional journalist who combined his qualities with a great sense of patriotism and nationalism.
“Mamadee was a professional who demonstrated love for country and unwavering with commitment to portray the motherland positively. He was very confident and hopeful about Liberia’s prosperity and future and we will forever remember him for that”, President Sirleaf reflected.
She reiterated her support for Mamadee’s family, particularly his young children, widow and aged mother.
“We will always keep in touch to ensure the wellbeing of his family left behind and will urge our officials to personally support the Trust Fund established to support his family.
The delegation included Madam Fanta Diakite (mother), Alpha Diakite (brother), Kadiatu Diakite-Kaba (cousin), Associate Justice Kabineh Janneh (relative) and Ambassador Brahima Kaba (family leader).
