MONROVIA – The old proverb “Good Never Lost” came to pass this past weekend when members of the opposition political parties in District #5, Montserrado County, announced their endorsement of President Dr. George Manneh Weah’s reelection candidacy in the run-off elections scheduled for November 14, 2023.

A one-day interactive forum with His Excellency Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Foreign Minister of the Republic of Liberia and Political Leader of MOVEE, was decided upon by hundreds of residents of District #5, heads of Unity Party (UP) auxiliaries, some partisans of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), other community groupings, supporters, and well-wishers during the launch of Amb. Kemayah’s community outreach and engagement initiative. The groups said their action was in appreciation of Kemayah’s goodwill towards the communities in District #5.

It can be recalled recently MOVEE’s Political Leader invited and commissioned all county chair of the party to return to trenches and beginning for the reelection go President Weah. MOVEE is one of the nine (9) members of constituent polities of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).  

According to various speakers at the occasion, the Liberian Foreign Minister and Political Leader of the Movement for Economic (MOVVE) has not only been a good resident but a great supporter of community development in District #5, especially the Town Hall Community, where he has resided for over twenty-five years with no altercation with any community members.

Sunday, November 5, 2023 marked the official launch of the Movement for Economic Empowerment’s (MOVEE) Political Leader’s Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. community outreach and engagement, which started more than a week ago. The political leader of MOVEE encouraged followers and supporters to vote for President Weah in the impending runoff elections during the program.

Speaking at the colorful event that was marked by singing and dancing, Amb. Kemayah expressed gratitude to everyone who took time out of their hectic schedules to wait for him to arrive at the Party Headquarters. Prior to this, he had visited Jacob’s Town with His Excellency George Manneh Weah, where thousands of members of the United Muslims of Liberia had gathered to support President Weah’s reelection campaign.

“Equal opportunities for all Liberians, regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, or place of origin, are President Weah’s primary concerns as he continues to work in the best interests of the Liberian people. He is a man of peace, a man of development, and a man who doesn’t care whether you are up or down.

Additionally, there were instances where parents found it impossible to cover their kids’ WASSCE costs, but President Weah assumed responsibility for doing so. Not only that, but unlike previous administrations, President Weah has persisted in guaranteeing free education for students attending the University of Liberia (UL) and other public universities, according to Minister Kemayah.

Regarding infrastructure development, Minister Kemayah stated that President Weah has constructed additional facilities, including as the Emirates Hospital, the New Redemption Hospital, and the 14 Military Hospital, to support the welfare of Liberians from low-income backgrounds. Many roads are being constructed to facilitate the easy transportation of agricultural products from farms to markets and metropolitan areas by our farmers.

He took advantage of the opportunity to instruct voters on how to cast legitimate ballots.

MOVEE Political Leader remarked that President Weah, the nation’s feminist in chief, chose to run for president alongside Her Excellency Jewel Howard Taylor because he values women’s emancipation and cares deeply about them.

In order for President Weah’s good work to continue, the Dean of the Cabinet revealed that voters must vote for President Weah at number two (2) on the ballot and ensure that their thumbprint, an X, or a checked mark is placed in the box after V.P. Taylor, ensuring that the mark does not extend outside the box and rendering the vote invalid.

Furthermore, a few of the Auxiliary Heads utilized the opportunity to express their gratitude to Foreign Minister Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. for taking time out of his hectic schedule to speak with them.

Mamie Dorley, Deputy Chairperson, Strong Women for Weah Auxiliary, stated, “We have gathered here today to make it categorically and emphatically clear that we are going to campaign vigorously; we are going to gather more followers and vote for President George Manneh Weah massively on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at the polls.”

A staggering number of Liberians have praised President Weah for maintaining peace and providing basic social services like roads, sport-parks, energy, health care, education, and food. They have also praised him for allowing citizens to peacefully protest, where state security provide water and food to protesters whenever they do so. The run-off elections are less than a week away. These are just a few of the many accomplishments the Weah-led government can take pride in.

Some observers claim that after witnessing the palpable impacts of this administration, it is only reasonable to conclude that His Excellency George Weah deserves an additional six years to carry out his extraordinary, historic work in order to propel the country into even greater heights.

MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dee Maxwell Kemayah, has mandated all Honorary Consuls representing the post-conflict nation abroad to with immediate effect cease from all functions and operations.

By Obediah Johnson, obediah.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

The government’s action stemmed from the launch of a revised regulation for its Honorary Consuls at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia on Monday, February 13.

Honorary Consuls serving in Italy, Israel, Argentina, Greece and two states in the United States, including Minnesota and Atlanta are exempted from the cease functions order from the government. They were given a three-month grace period by the government due to ongoing maritime and other operations they are presently engaged in.

Speaking during the launch of the new regulations, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Cllr. Deweh Gray disclosed that the initiative was in fulfillment of the reform agenda of the current administration at the ministry.

According to her, the new regulations were reviewed from the 2012 regulations for Honorary Consuls that went through many months of scrutiny from home and the embassies of the Liberian government abroad.

She disclosed that the new regulations provide additional clarity and also prescribe compliance systems to enable the country to benefit from the services of individuals who applied for the positions.

Minister Gray disclosed that the new regulations allow for a more stringent application and vetting procedures.

“It will track individuals who are serving Liberia, evaluate their performance through periodic reports to the ministry as well as match their words with actions and allows for reactivation and strengthening of the Standing Committee to vet applications and bringing on board other actors relevant to the approval process.”

She noted that the new regulations will also enable the government to collect revenue from Honorary Consulates that provide consular services in jurisdiction where Liberia may not have an active representation.

She pointed out that for several years Honorary Consul providing consular services for Liberia were not remitting to the government what was due.

“There was difficulty in tracking some of their activities. Some Honorary Consuls were using the opportunity to collect revenue to pay themselves, staff, and rent for premises.”

Minister Gray maintained that the new regulations will set timelines for reporting as well as penalties for non-compliance with reporting requirements.

She said it will also allow for the creation of an “up-to-date data base and directory of Honorary Consuls.”

She added that the document will ensure that the country benefits from the services of successful applicants in line with the government’s development agenda as well as providing tenures for Honorary Consuls, especially the number of times an applicant can be allowed to renew their status as Honorary Consuls.

For his part, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dee-Maxwell Kemayah disclosed that the issuance of the new regulations is in furtherance of the ongoing uncompromised reform for the worth of taxpayers’ monies and the benefit of Liberia and its citizens.

He disclosed that a committee to revise the 2012 regulations was appointed to bring some values to the consulate services being rendered by Honorary Consuls representing Liberia.

The committee was headed by Deputy Minister Gray.

“When we took over, we embarked on this process which is not an easy journey. Change is not usually welcoming. It is very costly. The new to revise the Honorary Consul regulations were necessary because we were not getting the values that we should have.”

He said following the completion of the document, copies were sent to various foreign embassies in Monrovia for feedback in keeping with the participatory decision-making principle of his administration.

Not knowing Honorary Consuls

Minister Kemayah pointed out that since he became head of the ministry a little over two years ago, it has been very challenging to “even know the number of Honorary Consuls that we have.”

“The country needs every cent of revenue which belongs not to any individual, but to the government and people of Liberia and to be used for the good of the public. We as public servants need to continue to work for the good of the public and that good can only come through the services that we rendered. There are some honorary Consuls who were even engaged in collecting consular service fees but were not remitting to the government of Liberia when we need every penny so that the government uses the people money towards developing the people’s country which is the Republic of Liberia.”

He said no Honorary Consul is clothed with the authority to collect and use monies collected on behalf of Liberia.

He maintained that monies collected for consular services must be remitted to the Consolidated Account of the Liberian government, in keeping with the Public Financial Management (PFM) law of Liberia.

Transferring positions

According to Minister Kemayah, some of these Honorary Consuls were also engaged into the transfer of their positions to their children or other relatives unknown to the government.

“Under no circumstance is the post of Honorary Consul transferable.”

He stressed that as a result of this, the current management team at the ministry will ensure that every cent collected by Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls abroad are reported and remitted into government’s coffers and timely reporting will not be compromised.

He said the new regulations takes into consideration the general provisions of the appointment, functions and termination of honorary Consuls of Liberia.

Minister Kemayah noted that the document also points to the establishment of Consular Offices to be headed by Honorary Consuls.

He disclosed that under the new regulations, the candidature and qualification for the post of Honorary Consul of Liberia and application procedures will be subjected to stringent vetting procedures and the conduct of the standing committees.

He stated that there are about 13 committees of Honorary Consul that will oversee the activities of the Honorary Consul from the application process beyond the appointment.

Minister Kemayah averred that reports from the Honorary Consuls to the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be turned over to the various standing committees.

He named Deputy Minister Deweh Gray as Chair of the vetting committee, while Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Administration Thelma Duncan Sawyer and Adonnies Greaves will serve as Co-Chair and Secretary General respectively.

He said in the interest of transparency and accountability, each department at the ministry will form part of the committee, while his office will be represented by the President of the Workers Union (even though the new regulations call on the Minister to appoint staff from the ministry).

He pointed out that the committee will vet all those re-applying to serve as Honorary Consuls of Liberia and recommendations will be made to the President to commission after a thorough vetting process.

“We are terminating the transitioning clause for those who are out there. We will have a very good process for the Honorary Consuls in the field. For the Standing Committees, we have the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Legal Affairs, Administration, International Cooperation and Economic Integration, two members of the Policy Advisory Council of the Ministry considering gender who shall serve on the committee. The regional bureau will also serve on the committee.”

He indicated that as part of the new requirements, a person can either apply or be recommended by a Liberian to serve as Honorary Consul.

Minister Kemayah said such applicant as part of his/her application process would prepare an annual engagement plan and have it submitted in the application.

He emphasized that back ground checks will be done by the National Security Agency (NSA) and other competent security agencies before the name of an applicant is submitted for commissioning by the Minister of Foreign Affairs by directive of the President.

He noted that Honorary Consuls failing to report within a specific timeframe will bear the consequences, including the revocation of their commission.

Minister Kemayah indicated that all Honorary Consuls will serve tenure of two years, subject to renewal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the submission of reapplication, comprehensive report for the period served and a revision done by the Standing Committee of the Honorary Consul that will make recommendation to the Minister for approval.

He added that no Honorary Consul will serve for more than six terms or 12 years.

When rejected by the Liberian government or receiving state, Minister Kemayah noted that no one who applied for the post would make claims for all activities undertaking during the processing of his/her application.

Minister Kemayah pointed out that the functions of Honorary Consuls shall be governed by the revised regulations, the laws of Liberia, and international treaties signed by Liberia, including the Vietnam Convention of Consulate Relations.

He indicated that obtaining an Honorary Consul title is no longer a requirement for obtaining a Liberian Diplomatic Passport.

He said only the President or Minister of Foreign Affairs can deem it necessary to issue a Diplomatic Passport to Honorary Consuls.

Minister Kemayah disclosed that no Honorary Consul will be given commission from revenue generated for the Liberian government.

He said this is in keeping with best international practice.

“This is in line with the reform. It’s not going to be a popular decision, but we have to do that in the best interest of the Republic of Liberia and its citizens. As we launch this new revised regulation today, every Honorary Consul around the world will cease to function. We have informed our different embassies and foreign missions about this to inform whoever they know that are carrying this title (Honorary Consul) that as of this launching, they are no longer Honorary Consuls. If they have interest, they can reapply.

“We are giving exception to four honorary Consuls on the request of the Liberia Maritime Authority to avoid disrupting their functions which have implication on revenue generation. We will give three months transition period to our Honorary Consuls in Italy, Greece, Argentina and Israel. We will make sure that those four names will be passed from maritime to us so that we can send their communications.

In Minnesota we are working to ensure the opening of our passport application center and we want to turn it into a Consular Service and Atlanta also. We are giving them a timeframe of three months also. ”

Meanwhile, Minister Kemayah has assured of his administration’s unbending quest to generate more revenue for the Liberian government.

“Honorary Consuls will report every penny to the Government of Liberia Consolidated Account.”

Minister Kemayah used the occasion to commend the Chief Architect of Liberia’s foreign policy, President George Weah, for approving the new regulations.

He, however, expressed the hope that the new regulations will yield the necessary imperative dividends for Liberians.

NEW YORK – Liberia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. says the Sixtieth – 60th Session of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination is historic for the Republic of Liberia; with the participation of Liberia as a new Member to the Committee, having been elected for Three years; beginning 2020 to December 31, 2022. Ambassador Kemayah spoke when he addressed the Sixtieth – 60th Session of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination at its official opening on June 8, 2020. The Sixtieth – 60th Session of the Committee which started on June 8, 2020 will end on July 2, 2020.

Said Ambassador Kemayah: “As you are aware, Mr. Chair, this occasion marking the opening of the Sixtieth – 60th Session of the Committee for Programme and Coordination of the United Nations is historic for us; as Liberia is participating in its capacity as a Member of the UN Committee for Programme and Coordination; and more importantly; the first session for Liberia’s mandate for Three (3) years as a Member; which runs from now to December 31, 2022. In this premise, you can count on our support in the discharge of your laudable responsibility as we together endeavor to contribute to the organization of the work of the committee in ways that add value and success”.

At the Thirty-sixth – 36th Plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Republic of Liberia was elected as a Member of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination for a Tenure of Three (3) years, which begins this 2020, and ends on December 31, 2022. The case, representation, candidature and election of Liberia as a Member of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination was championed by His Excellency Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. and done under his direct and astute Leadership  as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations pursuant to the Vision and Mandate of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia.

Liberia’s election to this Committee is Country Specific and not individual bound. As such, the position as a Member of this Committee is for the Country – the Republic of Liberia from now up to December 31, 2022, and absolutely not based on individual specific representation. Ambassador Kemayah expressed delight that Liberia’s election on the Committee is Country Specific and absolutely not individual representation bound; stressing that: “any Liberian desired by the Government of Liberia at any point in time can represent the Country on this Committee”.

Members of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination, include the United States of America, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, India, Brazil, Argentina, Botswana, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, Cameroon among others. The Committee has a total Membership of Thirty-one -31.

Speaking at the official opening of the Sixtieth – 60th Session of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination of the United Nations, which runs from June 8, 2020 to July 8, 2020, Ambassador Kemayah on behalf of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, and the Government and People of Liberia extended thanks and appreciation to the United Nations General Assembly for the election of Liberia as a Member of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination for Three – 3 years – from 2020 to December 31, 2022.                           

Averred Ambassador Kemayah: “On behalf of His Excellency President Weah, and the Government and People of Liberia; we renew our thanks and appreciation to the United Nations General Assembly for the election of Liberia as a Member of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination for Three (3) Years – 2020 to December 31, 2022; and  reaffirm our unflinching practical commitment and support to the Charter and workings of the United Nations; and the Reform Agenda of the United Nations Secretary-General”.

Ambassador Kemayah said it was an honor to address the Sixtieth – 60th Session of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination at its official opening; on behalf of the President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah. Ambassador Kemayah joined others in extending warmest congratulations to His Excellency Ambassador Georgi Panayotov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bulgaria on his election as Chair of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination.

Ambassador Kemayah also extended warm congratulations to the out-going Chair, his dear friend and brother, His Excellency Mr. Collen V. Kelapile, the Permanent Representative of Botswana for a job very well done, and certainly hope that all can leverage the experience of Ambassador Kelapile in conducting the affairs of the Committee.

Ambassador Kemayah welcomed the election of the other officers to serve on the Committee, as well as the Adoption of the Agenda and Organization of work.

Stressed Ambassador Kemayah: “We welcome the election of the other officers to serve on the Committee, as well as the Adoption of the Agenda and Organization of work. I trust we will not only strive to reach consensus and understanding, but also ensure that we remain constructively engaged to ensure the best of outcomes in the work of the Committee. The Agenda borders on issues that are of immense relevance to Liberia; hence, I want to assure you of my Delegation’s preparedness to engage constructively and actively in discussions of the agenda items during this session”.

As it relates to the mandate of the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination, this Committee examines the totality of the United Nations Secretary-General’s work programme, giving particular attention to programme changes arising out of decisions; either adopted by intergovernmental organs and conferences or suggested by the United Nations Secretary-General. The full Terms of Reference as approved by the United Nations General Assembly in the United Nations Economic and Social Council Resolution – ECOSOC Resolution 2008 (LX) (1976) broadly includes assessing the results achieved from current activities, assessing the continuing validity of legislative decisions of more than Five years’ standing, assessing the effectiveness of co-ordination with other units of the United Nations Secretariat and Members of the United Nations Family, recommending an order of priorities among United Nations Programmes as defined in the strategic framework, giving  guidance to the United Nations Secretariat on programme design by interpreting legislative intent so as to assist it in translating legislation into programmes, and making recommendations with respect to work programmes proposed by the Secretariat to give effect to the legislative intent of the relevant policy-making organs, taking into account the need to avoid overlapping and duplication.