MONROVIA – The Ministry of National Defense has been honored as one of the top three best-performing government institutions.

The honor was bestowed on the ministry during the Performance Contracts Signing and Recognition Ceremony held on Thursday, June 12, at the Ministerial Complex in Monrovia.

Deputy Minister for Administration, Dr. Augustine T. Larmin, received two awards on behalf of the Ministry during the ceremony, which recognized institutions for outstanding performance in alignment with national development goals.

The Ministry of National Defense was lauded alongside the Liberia Agriculture Regulatory Authority (LARA) and the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital for demonstrating exceptional efficiency and impact.

In an interview with FrontPage Africa following the ceremony, Dr. Larmin expressed gratitude to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, for presenting the awards. He praised the Performance Management and Evaluation Committee for what he described as a “very accurate” assessment, noting the Ministry’s ongoing collaboration with other national security agencies to safeguard Liberia and the region.

Dr. Larmin also commended Defense Minister Geraldine Janet George for entrusting him with the honor of receiving the awards and dedicated the recognition to the collective efforts of the Ministry’s staff—both in central administration and within the Armed Forces of Liberia.

“Hard work shows up,” he said. “Working really hard is what the Ministry of National Defense knows how to do. We work behind the scenes—not seeking public attention—but the results speak for themselves.”

He encouraged other government institutions to redouble their efforts toward achieving excellence in service delivery, in line with national priorities.

The awards ceremony was part of the implementation of the Performance Management Compliance System (PMCS), launched by President Boakai to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs). The PMCS, coordinated by the Director of Cabinet, ties institutional performance to the government’s ARREST Agenda for transformation and inclusive governance.

In his remarks at the event, President Boakai warned that underperforming institutions would face penalties, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to accountability and results-driven governance.

Monrovia – Amid UNMIL drawdown, other partners are working with the government in the line of security.

Report by Mae Azango maeazango@frontpageafricaonline.com

One of such partners is the United States Adjutant General of Michigan National Guard, Major General Gregory J. Vandias.

The General and his team of four men, on Thursday paid a courtesy call to Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai at the Ministry of Defense in Monrovia in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.  

“We at the Michigan National Guard in the US will continue to build our partnership and continue to support the AFL.

“I am so proud of the AFL and the big progress we made since 2009. From Gen. Ziankahn all the way down to the last soldier, we so proud of you for the level of professionalism and commitment in the Army.

General Vandias who has served the U.S. army for 46 years, was in Liberia last Feb, and said this is his ninth trip to Liberia for the past six years.

He further said he and his men had been in Liberia since 2009, conducting training for the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) that has made them proud after the years of training.

Defense Minister Samukai said the visit of the General to the Liberian Army he had trained over the years had always been an exciting one in that the AFL Chief of Staff Gen. Daniel Ziankahn and the soldiers were always happy to have the US General visit them time after time.

 “As UNMIL has drawn down, our other partners from the US and other countries have not divorced from us,” Minister Samukai said.

“They are still checking on the security situation in the country. Do you know that there is a French warship here in Liberia to work along with our Coast Guard, to do maritime operations?

So you see our partners are still engaged with us in doing many activities.”    

In a related development and as a way of beefing up the Liberia Coast Guard activities in the country, a French warship Commandant Ducuing arrived in Monrovia and will be here from Oct 19-21 to conduct maritime cooperation.

The naval vessel that has 96 crew members is armed with100mm caliber, two 20 mm guns, and four 12.7 mm caliber guns. It is 80 meters long capacity of leading all kinds of operations at sea.  

Monrovia – It will be a bitter pill for many Liberians to swallow when the famous uncompleted Defense Ministry building in Congo Town is broken down to give way for a US$60 million ministerial complex  funded by the People’s Republic of China has given Liberia as a gift.

There have been mixed reactions since the government announced September this year that it had completed arrangement for the project that is reportedly the PRC second most expensive infrastructural gesture on the African continent. When constructed, it will be next to the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

FrontPage Africa has been hinted by the Chinese Company hired to construct the complex that experts from China are due to arrive in the country later this week to begin the demolition of the uncompleted structure.

Gao Yuanming, Assistant General Manager and Project Manager of Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group, told a FPA reporter who visited the construction site recently that when the experts arrived, the next move would be the demolition of the building in order to begin actual construction works.

The firm is already constructing tentative offices and dwelling places to host workers on the site of the building.

Sources at the Ministry of Public Works has told FPA it would cost the Chinese firm US$4M to demolish the unfinished building, whose construction started back in the 1980s, during the regime of former President Samuel K. Doe.

The project was part of diplomatic tie between Liberia and Israel.

Ahead of the demolition, many Liberians are contending that the government should have utilized the vast vacant land available in the country instead of breaking down the building already constructed.

 “I think it is actually a waste of money,” asserted one experience Liberian engineer who asked for anonymity.“

“Because for me, being an engineer, who has been looking at that building it seems to be structurally sound.”

Although no assessment report has been made public, the government claims that an engineering assessment was done and it was established that the unfinished building is not structurally suitable and should therefore make way for the ministerial complex.

And the head of the President’s Program Delivery Unit (PDU) told FPA in September this year that development came with sacrifices, while also stressing that Liberians will be proud of the ministerial complex once it is completed.

Said Clarence Moniba: “Development requires sacrifices and although we are bringing down the old Defense Ministry, this administration is glad that a modern complex that will improve not only the efficiency of government, but the landscape of this city will be taking its place.”

But others are arguing that Beijing wants to use the project as an “indelible stamp” to strengthen its bilateral relationship with the Monrovia, which means erecting such edifice at an ideal location will serve as a showcase.

According to Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua of China, the agreement for the project was the result of a request by President Sirleaf to his government, adding that it would be a lasting symbol of the friendship between Liberia and China.

“Why waste money just to please the Chinese government? I think the Chinese want the land to showcase their dominance in Liberia, which is good but should not cost the destruction of that building,” argued an engineer who prefers anonymity.

“I think if the Government of Liberia wants the Chinese to do the ministerial complex they can use another land,” suggested Abel Deweah, a resident of Congo Town.

“Look, we have land all over especially on the highway, I mean on the RIA highway.”

Another Liberian opposing the demolition, Steve Peters added: “To spend US$4 million on breaking down this building is a very bad choice, because that money can help build a lot of other buildings in this country.”

Regardless the critical views by some Liberians concerning the demolition of the unfinished defense ministry, government is firm about its execution which will accordingly ensure Liberia’s adherence to the agreement with the Chinese.

According to the plan, the US$60m complex will host at least ten ministries and agencies when constructed, and the project Manager Yuanming said it would take three years to fully complete the complex.

But some are concerned that the action might hurt Liberia’s relationship with Israel since there has been favorable relationship between the two nations, with Liberia listed as one of the African countries that voted in favor of Israel to become an independent state.

The diplomatic connection later strengthened following the visit of President Doe to Jerusalem in 1983 after it was severed by his predecessor, William R. Tolbert. 

Monrovia – The Ministry of National Defense has observed with grave concerns in recent times the proliferation of unauthorized individuals wearing military apparels.

Given the porosity of the combination of the wearing of military apparels by unauthorized individuals who are not sown military personnel, it is making it increasingly difficult to authenticate actual military from non- military personnel.

In an effort to avoid any misrepresentation on the credibility of active duty military personnel, the Ministry of National Defense wishes to henceforth advise the public against the sale,  distribution and wearing  of any combination of military attire.

The Ministry of National Defense wishes to state that Military personnel in military uniforms within civilian settings are those authorized to do so.

In order to verify the identity of our military personnel who may be wearing uniform among civilians, the Ministry has authorized the Military Police (MP) to ensure that anyone wearing uniform are properly identified as bona fide AFL personnel.

Non-personnel wearing military uniforms will forego on site or at the discretion of the MP to exercise such responsibility, that statutory uniform which only authorized personnel are allowed to wear.

The Ministry of National Defense seeks the cooperation of the public as there will be absolutely no exception to this directive.

US Under Secretary Honoured by Liberia’s Defense Ministry

Margibi County – The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Dr. Linda Thomas-Greenfield says she feels speechless to be at the Edward Beyan Kessely Military Barrack not because of the honour bestowed upon her by the Ministry of National Defense Family but because of the incremental growth in the population of students at the Linda Thomas Greenfield Preparatory School from 35 to over 1000 students.

Assistant Minister Greenfield recalled that many years back, she worked along with the late Major/General Suraj A. Abdurrahman to ensure that the military is what it is today.

The growth of the then Brigade Preparatory School which is renamed as the Linda Thomas Greenfield Preparatory School is attributed to the hard work of the late General. She called for the observance of a moment of silence in memory of the fallen General.

 In direct reference to the AFL personnel, Madam Greenfield recalled, “many years you were soldiers but today, I see that you have been transformed into officers.”

Addressing the students, Madam Greenfield reminded the students that education is the most important gift to anyone.

She expressed confidence in the young students saying – “One day I may meet you either as Ministers or officers because you are the next generation of Liberian leaders.” She therefore cautioned the students to take their learning seriously,

“Take and read every book you find because it was due to the lack of education that your country went through the difficulties of war.”

Madam Greenfield thanked the administration and staff members for the upkeep of the Linda Thomas Greenfield Preparatory School.

She presented an assortment of educational materials including, chalks, erasers, pencils, and other school supplies to the institution.

Madam Greenfield informed the students, faculty and Defense Family that the Bethany High School in the State of Louisiana is interested in establishing a sisterly relation with a school in Africa.

 “This is an opportunity for the Linda Thomas Greenfield Preparatory School here at EBK to benefit from this school in whatever little way, adding I saw you as babies now you have grown.”

Speaking earlier, Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai presented a citation which had been signed and approved by the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to Madam Linda Thomas Greenfield.

The citation reflected the change of the school from the Brigade Preparatory School to the Linda Thomas Greenfield Preparatory School.

In the words of Defense Minister: “This citation is presented to you in order to ensure that your legacy in Liberia over the years lingers on.”

The Minister expressed his desire to work with the AFL High Command to extend the capacity of the school at an incremental level to accommodate the grade levels of the students and to make the institution a better one.

He also promised to ensure the introduction of computer literacy program at the school in order to have the students catch up with other students in this age of technology.

In a related development, the Commander of the 23rd Infantry Brigade, Col Prince C. Johnson, III, presented a plaque to Madam Greenfield on behalf of the AFL.

In his words: “I am honoured to stand here today to say thank you for the support your country continues to render our country. In the military it is said that welfare and mission go hand-in –hand but as for us in the AFL, welfare is secondary to mission.”

Col Johnson expressed thanks to all those who contributed to the improvement of the institution noting, “As we educate our kids in this country, we will never go back to the odds of the past.”

Also presenting a gift, the Parent-Teacher- Association, through a female instructor, Josephine Kordee presented African attire to madam Greenfield as their way of appreciation her contribution to the development of the school.

Monrovia – Liberia’s Ministry of National Defense has reacted sharply to contention by the Senate Committee Chair on Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs Steven H. Zargo, that wrongly-placed managers are placed at the head of some security institutions; describing them as ‘square pegs in round holes’.

Assistant Defense Minister for Public Affairs David Dahn told FrontPage Africa that Senator Zargo’s assertion undermines the gains made by the Liberian Security forces over the years.

Senator Zargo told a gathering of law enforcers this week that there is shortage of manpower to satisfy the departure of UNMIL, while at the same time pointing to logistical support and wrongly placing managers at head of some security institutions.

“The required man-power needed to satisfy the departure of UNMIL has not been met. Most time, we hear the old-age excuse of budgetary constraints which we believe to a certain extent is factual.

Armed Forces of Liberia, the Liberian National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service are yet to reach their targeted strength projected for UNMIL drawdown. In addition to the manpower shortage, the logistical constraints are also glaring coupled with wrongly-placed managers at head of some of these security institutions, ‘round pegs in square holes’ Said Zargo.

The Lofa County Senator further indicated that by rough calculation, every position previously occupied by UNMIL should in the face of the UNMIL drawdown be re-occupied by what he terms as elements of the Liberian Security Apparatus.

Senator Zargo stated, “As contained in the Liberia National Police and Immigration Service Act of 2016, steps in line with international best practices should be taken to ensure that law enforcement in particular and security operations in general should be done in line with international accepted principles”.

But Minister Dahn noted that the assertion is not in the right direction, since the Senate in particular is clothed with the authority of confirming Presidential nominees and should use their authority to correct the wrongs rather than criticize officials who have already been entrusted.

“I take serious exceptions to the statement made by Senator Zargo that heads of security apparatus are round pegs in square holes. They are responsible for confirmation but are seeing the wrong people and yet trusting them to serve these positions. I think it is a disservice to the security force of Liberia,” Minister Dahn averred.

The Defense official said the Armed Forces of Liberia, like other security apparatus in the country has demonstrated its meaningful contribution in ensuring that the welfare of Liberia is secure, admonishing Senator Zargo to acknowledge the work done so far by security personnel.

Though the Assistant Defense admitted that there are lapses and constraints existing within the security sector, he registered that they can only be tackled if the requisite support is provided; coupled with Lawmakers’ willingness to corroborate qualified individuals to head security institutions.

Mr. Dahn, at the same time boasts that the Armed Forces of Liberia is prepared to handle the security of Liberia in collaboration with other security apparatus as UNMIL drawdown is already ongoing.

Dahn said, there are Coast Guard personnel currently patrolling along Liberia’s coastal boundaries to ensure that there is outside interference and protecting them from pirates’ attack.

According to him, the Freeport of Monrovia, Buchanan, Harper and Greenville are already under full security and surveillance protection from potential terrorists and illegal activities.

Already, Liberia National Security Council Secretariat has finalized arrangements with UNMIL for the training of the County Security Councils in Bomi, Margi and Grand Bassa, a process expected to be finalized this month. The training is aimed at benefiting 171 participants including chiefs, elders, youth, women, commissioners and prominent citizens.

 Waldemar Vrey, Deputy Special Representatives to the Secretary General for Rule of Law of UNMIL has meanwhile expressed satisfaction over the level of security deployment in the various counties across Liberia, stating that information surrounding UNMIL leaving Liberia completely is not true.

“Let me say something straight here that there continues to be misunderstanding particularly with our media friends who are saying that drawdown means leaving, no that’s not what it means, drawdown means we are reducing our sides and we will wait for the next step before the decision is taken, yet we are turning over the security transition to the Liberian Government on the 30th of June”, Mr. Vrey intoned.

According to the UN Envoy, UNMIL has been working on a time-table for security institutions across Liberia, considering their (security apparatus) readiness to administer activities in the country while at the same time; recommendations will be put forth to the UN Security Council for an onward decision by December this year relative to UNMIL stay or departure from the Liberia.

Mr. Vrey named rule of law, security and reconstruction as key areas earmark by UNMIL in its transition plan already being work out with the Ministry of Justice saying, “even if UNMIL goes, you are going to have the UN Agencies with you working in several areas in seeking support for the Liberian Government but you need to take security as your own priority”.

Meanwhile, the UNMIL Deputy Special Representatives to the Secretary General for Rule of Law warned Liberian Security personnel against the use of force but to create an atmosphere in finding solutions to critical issues.

Willie N. Tokpah/willie.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com