The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has urged three young Liberians, who have now taken assignments in the nation’s Foreign Service in Europe to take the Liberian Flag with them everywhere they go.

Mssrs. Albert K. Jaja, Francis R. Grant and Prince Maxwell have now been placed at the Liberian Embassies in London, United Kingdom as Minister Counselor/Press and Public Affairs; Paris, France as First Secretary/Consul; and Second Secretary/Protocol Relations, Brussels, Belgium, respectively.

Commissioning the three men last Friday, August 21st, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Ngafuan, on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, extended “profound congratulations to the ‘crème de la crème,’ adding: “the Liberian people whom you will be serving, would wish you well.”

“As you embark on this historic milestone in your lives, I want to say to you go with the Liberian Flag,” he urged them.

Foreign Minister Ngafuan reminded them that even though they have their individual names, but in their respective interactions in the Foreign Service, people may not remember their names but will look at them as Liberia. He charged the trio that what they will do in their places of assignment would ultimately make Liberia retrogress of progress.

“Liberia will be pushed forward or backward by what you do or don’t do. So, it will be Liberia. You are going to be lifting the Flag of Liberia,” the Minister told the three men, who sat attentively and listened to the charges from their boss.

The Minister said he has no doubts that the men have the potential to lift Liberia high, as they had already undergone the drills and preparation for Foreign Service and have obtained the necessary qualifications, including academic.

As some probably began to think that it would be all ‘milk and honey’ for the diplomats, the Minister, however, was quick to point out that it won’t be all milk and honey on their various missions.

“We know that all is not milk and honey in the Foreign Service. All of you are going to Europe, some of our best missions. In some instances there can be challenges. We would be the first to tell you get prepared. 

You are soldiers going into battle. If you never had what it takes to fight and win, we will not put you in battle,” he urged them.

However, he told them that Monrovia won’t deliberately do things to test their resolves; adding: “And if there is any attempt by anyone to try to put you through that kind of test, we will resist it. We will try to ensure that you get all the tools, the financial and other logistical empowerment on time.”

Despite this, the Minister admonished the men that where there would be glitches, he trusts that they will hold on, as others have done.

He charged them to go with humility as they are going to work under ambassadors and work with other colleagues. “Go and add value and flavor to your Missions.”

Foreign Minister Ngafuan then called on all the Ambassadors to be opened to creativity and innovations as those new servicemen are creative and innovative.

He said the trio’s absence at their previous places of work, including the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) and the Protocol Office at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, will definitely create voids.

He asked rhetorically, however, “Even though we are sad but should we stop you from going? We can’t because we know that you all are going to lift the Flag of Liberia high. Go and explore the world.”

He thanked the wives or fiancées and families of the men as they would be very critical to their successes on the missions.

In their separate responses, they promised to carry with them and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia in their hearts and hands. They praised President Sirleaffor giving them the opportunity to serve their country. In their previous positions, all the three men had served with "distinction" in their respective areas of assignment with the Ministries of State, Foreign Affairs and Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism. The honorees had time to take pictures with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senior Officials of the Foreign Ministry, their families and friends.