BARCLAY TRAINING CENTER, MONROVIA- 24 February 2023: Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Honorable G. Wesseh Blamoh, has encouraged new graduates of the Armed Forces of Liberia Professional Officers Class of 2023 to uphold the constitution of Liberia at all times.

Deputizing for the Commander-In- Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, President George M. Weah, Minister Blamoh informed the graduates to always bear in mind that they have a constitutional responsibility to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state, and defend their interests at all costs and as such their loyalty is key to the forward movement of the Country and its people.

“I implore you to keep your loyalty to the constitution, bearing in mind at all times that the national interest must always come first”, the Presidential Minister added.

Minister Blamoh admonished the newly-commissioned officers to be good leaders adding, “Remember that you will all be leaders and will be expected to manage the resources (both human and material) entrusted to your care. “You must have the capacity, commitment and character to lead by example,” he said.

He called on the commissioned officers to see themselves as soldiers of the people, as they perform their duties, and at the same time assured them of the government of Liberia’s commitment to providing adequate support, as much as it is possible within the national budget. “You will get all the necessary support to ensure that the AFL is, and remains, a ‘force for good’.”

Minister Blamoh used the occasion to extend appreciation to the International Community for the valuable services they have rendered to the professionalization of the Armed Forces of Liberia over the years.

In remarks, the Deputy Minister of Defense for Administration, T. Olandrus Dickson, Sr., expressed gratitude to the Commander-In-Chief and President of Liberia, George M. Weah, for his able leadership that has added more professionalism to the Armed Forces of Liberia over the last five years. He said recruiting additional professionals to the AFL will further enhance the ability of the Liberian army to render more civil-military assistance to the public.

He encouraged the commissioned officers to use their profession for the good of the public by exhibiting those skills that will make the AFL a more people-centered organization.

The graduating class was comprised of 33 Officers Candidates. The class includes 11 females and 13 males (24 regular Officers Candidates) as well as 2 females and 7 males for a total of 9 professional Officers Candidates.