-Events kick off this Friday
The official ceremony marking marking the inauguration of Liberia’s new President and Vice President is set to take place at the main stadium-Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex- in the Monrovia suburb of Paynesville next Monday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday released the Calendar of Events leading up to the Inauguration of President-elect, Mr. George Manneh Weah and Vice President-elect, Mrs. Jewel Howard-Taylor, beginning January 19 through 22, 2018.
It will mark the first smooth and peaceful democratic transition in Liberia in 73 years, when on elected President will hand over power to another elected President, when current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will be quitting power by 12 noon January 22.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Inaugural 2018 Calendar of Events begins on Friday, January 19, with what is dubbed: “Taste of Liberia”. This event takes place at the Nancy B. Doe Market, Jorkpen Town, Sinkor from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Muslim community will host an Inaugural Intercessory Prayers at the Benson Street Mosque from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On Saturday, January 20, there will be a Peace Football Match between Weah All Stars (WAS) and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) at the Barclay Training Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Also on the same day, the Women of Liberia will have an honoring program at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium beginning at 10:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, January 21, at 11:00 a.m., an Inaugural Intercessory Service takes place at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion that will be hosted by the Christian community.
Later in the evening, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., a Musical, Arts, Culture and Fashion Show Showcasing Liberia takes place at the Monrovia City Hall.
On Monday, January 22, 2018, the Official Inauguration Ceremony of President-elect, Mr. George Manneh Weah and Vice President-elect, Mrs. Jewel Howard Taylor, takes place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville beginning at 9:45 a.m.
Immediately following the swearing-in ceremony, an Inaugural Luncheon takes at the same venue, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, beginning 1:30 p.m. through 2:30 p.m.
At 7:00 p.m., the Inaugural Ball, in honor of President George Manneh Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor takes place at the Executive Pavilion on Ashmun Street.
Meanwhile, as directed by the Chief of Protocol, Republic of Liberia, all persons attending the Inauguration Ceremony at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex must observe the following:
No cars will be allowed to enter the Complex;
All guests, with the exception of those listed in the Special Protocol, will enter the premises through the Main Entrance;
The ushering of guests to the Ceremony will commence at 7:00 a.m. and end at 9:45 a.m. No one will be permitted to enter after 9:45 a.m. except those mentioned below.
09:45 a.m. The Speaker and Members of the 54th Legislature and out- going Members of the 53rd Legislature will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
09:50 a.m. Members of the Consular Corps will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
09:55 a.m. The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary- General and Heads of International Organizations will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
10:00 a.m. His Excellency the Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
10:05 a.m. The Dean and Members of the Cabinet will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
10:10 a.m. His Honor the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
10:15 a.m. The Honorable Vice President and Mrs. Boakai will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
10:20 a.m. Her Excellency the President of the Republic of Liberia will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to the seat reserved for her.
10:25 a.m. The Vice President-elect will enter the Stadium through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to the seat reserved for her.
10: 30 a.m. Foreign Heads of State and Government will enter the Stadium
through the VIP Entrance and be escorted to seats reserved for them.
10:55 a.m. The President-elect and Mrs. Weah will be met and escorted by the Joint Legislative Committee through the VIP Entrance, and escorted to seats reserved for them.
At the close of the Ceremonies, the Chief of Protocol will announce the Order of Precedence for the departing procession; Guests will remain standing.