The new Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Liberia has committed his agency to supporting the Liberian Government in all of its activities affecting children including rights, survival, development and protection.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, Dr. Suleiman Braimoh made the commitment when he presented his Letters of Credence to Foreign Minister, Ms. Marjon Kamara, at her office on Thursday, July 28.

The new UNICEF Representative to Liberia expressed delight at taking up his new assignment in Liberia and looked forward to a very close working relationship with relevant officials of the Liberian Government.

Dr. Braimoh emphasized the need for an open relationship that is void of the normal protocols, which put plugs in the way things should work. He agreed that there are challenges but looked forward to dialogue when the need arises; adding, “Where there is no dialogue, one will find it difficult to move forward.”

He hoped that by the time he ends his tenure of duty, he would have been able to make the situation better for the children of Liberia.

For her part, Foreign Minister Kamara applauded the UNICEF-Liberia Representative for the renewed commitment to support Liberia’s children as it relates to its mandate.

She noted that Liberia has and continues to enjoy good working relations with UNICEF, citing the Ebola crisis where UNICEF was deeply involved in dealing with illnesses of affected children and also engaged in mobilizing resources for the children.

Foreign Minister Kamara was quite certain that Dr. Braimoh’s tenure will mark even closer collaboration with Liberia as he executes his mandate.

She stressed that the Foreign Ministry is always available, in addition to other line ministries, and ready to provide any support that he may need. Minister Kamara promised to take advantage of the invitation extended if an issue surfaces.

Dr. Braimoh, a Nigerian, replaces Mr. Sheldon Yett who has taken up another assignment. Prior to his appointment to Liberia, Dr. Braimoh served as UNICEF Representative for Eritrea from August 2013. In this capacity, he provided overall leadership in the development and implementation of the UNICEF country programme. Previously, he served as UNICEF Representative for Guyana and Suriname from October 2009, and subsequently as UNICEF Regional Chief of Programmes and Planning for South Asia from July 2005. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, U.S.A.