Foreign Minister Marjon V. Kamara has assured members of the diplomatic community that she will utilize every opportunity to deepen cooperation between Liberia and their respective governments and organizations during her stewardship as Liberia’s Foreign Minister.

“I pledge to continue and build upon the cordial working relationships that I have found in place for mutually beneficial results this year and beyond,” she assured the foreign diplomats accredited near Monrovia.  

According to a Foreign Ministry release, Minister Kamara made the assertion when she hosted an Interactive Dinner with heads of diplomatic missions, international organizations and consular corps at the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium on Thursday, March 17, 2016.

Minister Kamara used the occasion to thank members of the diplomatic corps for their bilateral and multilateral support towards the national priorities of the government.

She urged their continued support for the key priorities of the Foreign Ministry, which are to improve service delivery to clients, which includes the diplomatic corps; to transform the country’s Foreign Service and to effectively operationalize bilateral and multilateral agreements for speedy economic recovery, growth and development of Liberia.

The Minister acknowledged there were many agreements signed with development partners but those agreements have not been fully implemented. She pledged to ensure that these agreements are revisited and reviewed for full implementation.

Minister Kamara praised the Deputy Foreign Minister Elias Shoniyin, who served as Acting Minister before her appointment, and the senior staff for working very hard to bring some of these agreements on the table for signing.

“Some of the people may think from now to December is very short, I can see the cup has become half full. I am not limiting myself because I think the time is very short; but I want to do everything possible to deliver the best that I can,” she indicated.

She also thanked the diplomatic corps for honoring her invitation to attend the event and at the same time conveyed best wishes on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Liberian Government.

She recounted the good fortune of being appointed Liberia’s Foreign Minister at this critical time of the country’s history; but noted that she has come to the post with wealth of experience having served previously at the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) for more than 25 years and more recently, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations in New York since 2009, which has afforded her opportunities to interact extensively with members of the diplomatic community. 

In response on behalf of his colleagues, the Doyen of the diplomatic corps, Guinean Ambassador accredited to Liberia, H.E. Abdoulaye Dore congratulated Foreign Minister Kamara and expressed confidence that 2016 would be a prosperous year for Liberia and its diplomatic relations with other countries.

Ambassador Dore also expressed happiness that Liberia had entered the New Year 2016 without any new case of Ebola which will enable members of the diplomatic community strengthen ties and cooperation with the country.

He used the occasion to convey, on behalf of his colleagues, warm greetings and appreciation to President Sirleaf for her exemplary leadership shown especially the manner in which she responded to the Ebola outbreak.   

He particularly hailed the Liberian leader for the development initiatives she continues to undertake even in post-Ebola era as evident by the recent inauguration of the Gbarnga - Ganta highway project that was witnessed by him and his diplomatic colleagues.

While hailing the appointment of the new Minister, Ambassador Dore pledged their fullest support and cooperation and promised to work with the new Minister who he said has come with wealth of experience.

At the same time, he thanked the then Acting Foreign Minister Shoniyin for his hard work and cooperation during his tenure as Acting Minister amidst difficulties. 

Proffering a toast to Minister Kamara on behalf of his colleagues, Cameroonian Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Mr. Beng 'Yela Augustine Gangexpressed confidence that Minister Kamara who has come to the post with vast experiences from the UNHCR and the UN will work to cement ties with members of the diplomatic corps.

The Cameroonian envoy, who showered praises on the Madam Kamara, further wished that the minister’s tenure would afford members of the diplomatic corps the opportunity to benefit from her vast experience.

He noted that despite the huge challenges in dealing with people working both at the ministry on one hand, and those at the diplomatic missions abroad on the other hand, he was confident that Minister Kamara will deliver to expectation.

According to him, during her tenure there would be what he called “no danger” as a result of the kind of relationship she will build with members of the diplomatic community. He wished confidently that the opportunity given the new minister to serve will enable all countries and international organizations represented here to benefit from her vast experience as they build cordial ties of friendship with Liberia.