The outgoing Deputy Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs, now Minister of State without Portfolio, Ambassador Sylvester M. Grigsby has hailed Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan for his leadership quality, especially his pivotal role played in soliciting international assistance to fight the deadly Ebola Virus disease in Liberia.

Ambassador Grigsby spoke at the official turning over ceremony of officials of Government at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Capitol Hill.

The handing over ceremony   which witnessed the honoring of veteran Ambassador  Grigsby by the Foreign Ministry  family also ushered in several new officials appointed by  President Johnson Sirleaf  recently  including Hon. Rosetta Nagbe-Jarkollie, Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs, replacing Madam Ardia Kaikai; Hon. Abratha P. Doe, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, replacing Hon. Samuel Toe, while Honorable  Dr. Wede Elliot -Brownell, incoming Deputy Minister for Administration replaced Madam Una Kumba Thompson.   Madam Marie K. Coleman assumed the office of the Inspector General of the Foreign Service replacing Madam Wede Elliot- Brownell.

Receiving  the honor bestowed upon  him by  the Ministry Ambassador Grigsby  expressed appreciation and gratitude to President Sirleaf  for his elevation to the ministerial post  at the same time  reflecting on his long public service at the Foreign Ministry.

While speaking on behalf of the outgoing officials, Ambassador Grigsby praised the Liberian Foreign Minister for effectively engaging various international fora, especially at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Special Session of the African Union Council of Ministers on the Ebola crisis where the Minister ably represented Liberia and attracted international donor assistance towards the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

Ambassador Grigsby observed that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took  serious risk when she decided to head  the Special Ebola Task Force.

"The President herself took that risk in the interest of the country", Minister Grigsby added.

He also stated that by rallying the entire foreign services of Liberia and appealing to the conscience of the world that the virus was a global threat, Foreign Minister Ngafuan was robustly supporting the President's efforts.

The new Minister of State Without Portfolio then hailed  the efforts of Minister Ngafuan and his hardworking officials at the Foreign Ministry, acknowledging with deep satisfaction the excellent collaboration he enjoyed with the staff at the Foreign Ministry.

For his part, the incoming Deputy Elias Shoniyin thanked President Johnson Sirleaf for the confidence reposed in his ability to serve in her government since its inception starting with the post of Assistant Minister. Deputy Minister   Shoniyin who leaves his previous post of Deputy Minister for International Cooperation  to assume his new portfolio added that he was leaving behind a vibrant department enriched with both technical and human resources capacities having served the post for nearly 20 months. He expressed satisfaction that the achievements would enhance the work of his successor.  

He further noted that during his incumbency, the department of Cooperation negotiated and concluded several key bilateral agreements with International Partners thereby attracting huge International Assistance for Liberia affecting, the health, agriculture and educational sectors.

The Deputy Minister said the department has concluded negotiation on several bilateral agreements which he added has helped strengthen cooperation with friendly governments and partners across the globe.

Minister Shinoyin further disclosed that under his administration the department of cooperation raised, through the Japanese Government, more than seven hundred United States Dollars to boost human capacity development efforts alluding that he was leaving behind capable staff and financial resources to enhance the smooth operation of the department.

In brief remarks, the incoming Deputy Minister for Administration Dr. Wede Elliot Brownell thanked President Johnson Sirleaf for her preferment and Promised to work cooperatively with Minister Ngafuan and his team at the ministry in moving the ministry forward.    

Deputy Minister Brownell also assured employees of the ministry that she will serve her office with dedication, commitment, fairness and respect. The incoming Deputy Minister further urged staffers of the ministry to exhibit hard work, smartness, and dedication urging them to be respectful at all time while performing their duties.

Foreign Minister Ngafuan, for his part, applauded the outgoing Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs for his many good achievements and commended Ambassador Grigsby for his good works exhibited during his tenure as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Referencing the outgoing minister’s numerous achievements, the Liberian Foreign Minister particularly hailed Minister Grigsby’s long Public service describing him as "old wise hand"  that is regarded as a stabilizer in the Ministry to whom others go to drink from his fortune of knowledge.  

Commenting on Minister Grigsby’s new assignment, the Minister who is the Dean of the cabinet welcomed Ambassador Grigsby in the Liberian cabinet and wished him God’s guidance as he takes on his new assignment.

The Liberian Foreign Minister also applauded the incoming Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elias Shoniyin for the many progress made in his previous capacity as Deputy for International Cooperation and challenged the incoming officials to assume the task with dedication and commitment saying the task requires longer hours on duty if the task was to be realized.  

In separate remarks, the incoming assistant ministers expressed gratitudes to the Liberian leader for granting them the opportunity to serve their country and assured Minister Ngafuan and the ministry of their fullest cooperation and commitment to work with the team in enhancing the minister’s foreign policy agenda.