BARCLAY TRAINING CENTER, MONROVIA- AUGUST 20, 2024: The Minister of National Defense, B/G. Geraldine J. George (Rtd), said that capacity-building and the provision of healthcare for personnel of the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia are paramount to the forward-match of her administration.
The Minister was speaking recently at her Barclay Training Center office during a courtesy visit by the UNDP Country Representative, Mr. Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah. She said capacity building especially for civilian staff of the Ministry of National Defense is one of the almost priorities under her stewardship. She explained that most of the civilian personnel of the Ministry have not had further opportunities for training since the completion of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) training program in 2007, and further stressed the need for more capacity building programs to allow them have proper oversight of the AFL.
The Defense Minister further said that gender equity is high on her agenda and she hopes that there will be more training opportunities in the future.
She also highlighted the successes of the Ministry and the AFL in fostering the ARREST agenda since her ascendancy as Minister of National Defense.
The Minister further stated that the AFL has begun renovation works on some of its facilities across the country especially in Zwedru, Gbarnga and Voinjama in order to provide more accommodation for the men and women in arms and their dependents.
She praised the AFL, saying that over time, the army, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, has done some good road works across the country and if the opportunity avails itself, the AFL can be a very good partner in working with the Public Works in doing some of the road contracts in the country and this she said, will help reduce cost on the government.
Minister George informed the visiting UNDP Resident Representative that the Ministry of National Defense is also working with NAFAA and Maritime in ensuring that the territorial waters of the country are protected.
In response, the UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Anhony Ohemeng-Boamah, thanked the Minister for the warmed welcome he received . He expressed his admiration for the Armed Forces of Liberia for its role in the just ended elections-2023. According to him, the role of the AFL brought credibility to the electoral process, and that Liberia has set an example that other countries can emulate.
He further suggested ways in which the Minister could engage other multilateral and bilateral partners on the way forward for her plans. He admonished her to be strong and courageous in pushing her agenda in order to ensure the full realization of her goals.
He expressed his willingness to always share his experiences and ideas with the Ministry whenever called upon.
