The Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cameroon accredited to Liberia, Beng’yela A. Gang, along with the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia have bided farewell and honored the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of Liberia, Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. for the services he rendered the government and people of Liberia, the general public and the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia while serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet. “We are again here, to tell thank you for always being with the diplomatic corps, speaking the truth in a friendly and patriotic manner, while defending the sovereignty of your country,” the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps stressed. Ambassador Gang made the comments on Saturday, January 20, 2024, when he, on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia expressed: “I wish to thank Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of Liberia for his efforts in managing the foreign relations of Liberia in a manner and form that created a win-win situation for host country and embassies in Liberia.” Ambassador Gang further said the Diplomatic Corps greatly appreciate the efforts of Ambassador Kemayah for making it accessible for Monrovia to connect United Nations in New York on a weekly basis for smooth coordination. In separate comments from members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America, Catherine Rodriguez, in brief statement, thanked Ambassador Kemayah for his dedication and services to country, noting that he was accessible during his time as Foreign Minister and thanked him for prioritizing their requests both big or small in a timely manner, noting that she will not tell Ambassador Kemayah good bye but good kudos for service to country. Both Amb. Nona Deprez, Head of Delegation of the European Union and Amb. Isabelle Le Guellec of France expressed thanks and appreciation to Ambassador Kemayah for the role he played during their presentation of Letters of Credence to former President George Manneh Weah on the eve of the first round of the General and Presidential Elections on October 10, 2023, noting that they wanted to be fully operational in order to move around during the elections, which Amb. Kemayah made possible. The Charge d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Monrovia, Kate Thomson ,said former Minister Kemayah was very supportive in several international fora, saying former Minister Kemayah further strengthened the bilateral ties subsisting between Great Britain and Liberia. Speaking on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Liberia, Christine N. Umutoni, said through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the leadership of former Minister Kemayah, all her partners have been able to have discussions with extraordinary openness and frankness reflecting everyone’s shared concern and best way forward, she personally thanked former Foreign Minister Kemayah for all his support during his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs, calling such support of Ambassador Kemayah an extraordinary asset. On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners in Liberia, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Liberia, Madam Umutoni presented a Special Plaque to former Foreign Minister Kemayah, and in remarks before the presentation, Madam Umutoni said: “The entire diplomatic corps and international partners in Liberia are grateful for the outstanding services to all of the Ambassadors, Heads of Mission, the entire Diplomatic Corps, Heads of International Organizations and the International Partners of Liberia, mentioning that time flies and the honoree has done well for Liberia, the UN Resident Coordinator asserted. “You were consistently supportive, encouraging, and helpful during your time as Minister”. “It was wonderful to work with you. It is an amazing new phase of your professional career that you truly deserve”, Madam Umutoni said. The UN Resident Coordinator underscored the transformation which took place in the short time under the leadership of Former Minister Kemayah at the Ministry, terming it as remarkable, noting that the reform has place the ministry in better shape. Also gracing the occasion was Ambassador George Wallace, former Foreign Minister of Liberia and also former Advisor on Foreign Affairs to President George Manneh Weah. Ambassador Wallace praised the tenacity of Ambassador Kemayah, stressing that former Foreign Minister Kemayah is an astute diplomat par excellence, noting further that he is a committed personality and very much dedicated to his work and is a gladiator in the field of diplomacy, Ambassador Wallace concluded. Former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thelma E. Duncan-Sawyer said Ambassador Kemayah served as mentor to her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that he is a decent man with character of high repute. Madam Duncan-Sawyer further stressed that “Minister Kemayah is a great boss to work with and I look forward to future engagement”, she concluded. For her part, Rev. Mrs. Dialokai-Golanyon Kemayah, wife of Kemayah, who was also invited to accompany her husband to the ceremony, rained praises on Ambassador Kemayah, calling him her mentor. “I prayed to God to give me a husband, he did not just give me a husband, but a mentor, brother, best friend and everything to me,” Rev. Mrs. Kemayah stressed, as she beamed with smile. “What I just heard from all of you about my husband is like a song to a choir. I have known him for more than thirty years and we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary”, Rev. Mrs. Kemayah further said. In response Kemayah, on behalf of his wife, family, and in his own name, passionately expressed profound gratitude to the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners for the honor, adding that “We have become one family, and as the Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy said, she is not telling me good bye, instead she gave me kudos for my public service, she is right because we are right around, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator is also right to say that as Ambassador, I’m also a part and one of you. Ambassador Kemayah has always termed the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners as indispensable partners of Liberia, who mean very well for Liberia and the Liberian people. Former Foreign Minister Kemayah expressed his deepest appreciation to the Diplomatic Corps and International Partners for the very kind words reaffirmed by all of them and the confidence reposed in him over the years of working, coordination, cooperation and partnership. He stressed that as always, he will continue to stand for transparency and accountability and truth and speak the truth, no matter what. Ambassador Kemayah acknowledged former President Weah’s deep personal and political mentorship to him spanning over the last six years of humble, but dedicated and determined service to the country and its people.
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