PHOTO: Min. Kemaya (Left) taking over from ex-Min. Findley
Monrovia, Tuesday, October. 6, 2020: Ambassador Dee-Maxwell SaahKemaya Sr. has officially assumed office as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, a Foreign Ministry press release announced today.
Minister Kemaya Sr. was recently appointed as Foreign Minister by President George Manneh Weah and subsequently confirmed by the Liberian Senate, in the wake of a complaint of sexual harassment filed to by Liberian authorities by a female staffer at the Liberian Mission at the UN Headquarters in New York, where he served as Permanent Representative until his recent nomination.
But he refuted a recent social media post linking him to sexual harassment involving Whynee Cummings Wilson, a female employee.
Ms. Wilson, in a dispatch from New York, released by journalist Charles Yates on social media, reminds the US Mission, UN authorities and Minister Williametta Piso Saydee-Tarr, Liberia’s Minister of Gender with Cc to several top Liberian officials how Ambassador Kemayah allegedly molested and sexually harassed her on January 8, 2020. Wilson remembers that day in part because it was her birthday.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, Min.Kemeya previously served as Deputy Minister for Administration and was later appointed as Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations before his ascendency as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking Tuesday at the official program marking the presentation of Seal of the Republic, the new Foreign Minister thanked his predecessors for the fortitude and commitment in serving their country, promising to build on what they started while serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs..
He described his appointment to the position of Foreign Minister as a long and difficult journey which he said came unsolicitedrather, the manifestation of the will of the Almighty God.
The new Foreign Minister also highlighted human capacity development, reforms of the Passport Division, strengthening of protocol services; enhancement of the Foreign Service Institute as well as developing a blueprint to serve as a roadmap for future engagementaskey focus under his administration.
Minister Kemayah then used the occasion to urge employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be robustly hardworking and committed in their service to country in ensuring a shared vision and commonality in the advancement of the Foreign Policy agenda of Liberia.
Mr. Kemayah, who the press release says is widely noted for being a Workaholic, has promised to always sign in and out despite his status as Minister of Foreign Affairs thereby urging all Employees of the Ministry both at home and abroad to take their job serious.
He thanked His Excellency President George MannehWeah for the confidence reposed in his ability to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the republic of Liberia, adding “I owe President Weah a depth of gratitude, loyalty and commitment”.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kemayah has also frowned on those that seek to undermine the workings of the Liberian Government, emphasizing the need for constructive engagements between the workers Association and the Senior Management team of the Ministry.
Also speaking, Former Liberia’s Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findleylauded His Excellency Dr. George MannehWeah for the opportunity accorded him to have served as the First Foreign Minister in his administration.
Mr. Findley described the Foreign Ministry staff as the greatest asset which he relied on during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs in executing the functions of the Ministry.
The Former Foreign Minister also thanked the Deputy and Assistant Ministers for the Support and cooperation he enjoyed while serving as Minister but encouraged them to brace themselves to a new leadership style.