At a formal ceremony held at the Executive Mansion, national leaders, members of the judiciary, senior government officials, and invited guests gathered to witness the commissioning of newly appointed public officials—an occasion described as a defining moment in Liberia’s democratic journey.
Addressing the gathering, the President emphasized that the event went beyond constitutional ritual. He noted that the commissioning symbolized the transfer of public trust, responsibility, and national expectation to Liberians called to serve at the highest levels of government.
For the officials taking office, the President said the day marked the start of a demanding new chapter. Their selection, he explained, reflected the nation’s confidence in their competence, judgment, and character—confidence that must be justified daily through ethical conduct, sound decisions, and measurable results.
The President reminded the appointees that they were assuming roles at the core of Liberia’s democratic system. Those appointed to the judiciary were urged to uphold justice that is impartial, firm, and guided solely by the law. Others tasked with responsibilities in immigration, national security, natural resources, tourism, energy, foreign affairs, veterans’ affairs, and public administration were told that their actions would directly shape how citizens experience government.
Drawing on Liberian tradition, the President underscored that public office is a sacred trust. Authority, he said, does not belong to officeholders personally but to the people of Liberia and must always be exercised fairly, responsibly, and in the public interest.
Reflecting on his own decades in public service, the President cautioned that leadership is not a reward but a duty. Public office, he stressed, brings heightened accountability rather than immunity, and while titles may open doors, it is integrity that keeps them open.
Addressing members of the judiciary specifically, he described their mandate as sacred, stressing that courts must remain spaces where the vulnerable find protection and the powerful are held accountable. Judicial independence and integrity, he warned, are essential to public confidence and leave no room for compromise.
Officials assigned to immigration, security, and regulatory bodies were reminded of their role as guardians of national borders, laws, and order. The President urged them to exercise authority firmly but lawfully, warning that power without fairness quickly erodes trust and undermines professionalism.
Those entrusted with managing public institutions and national resources were advised that stewardship is the true measure of leadership. Liberia’s assets—including land, minerals, energy resources, and public institutions—must be managed transparently and responsibly for the benefit of present and future generations.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, describing it as a practical roadmap rather than a symbolic policy document. He stressed that each official now bears responsibility for translating that agenda into tangible improvements in livelihoods, governance, and national confidence.
He reminded the appointees that Liberians are watching closely, judging leadership not by rhetoric but by service delivery. Performance, accountability, and results, he said, remain the ultimate benchmarks of effective governance.
Calling for unity, the President urged collaboration across institutions, respect for constitutional boundaries, and the prioritization of national interest over personal ambition or bureaucratic rivalry. Government, he emphasized, functions best when it operates cohesively.
He also acknowledged the families of the newly commissioned officials, noting that public service requires personal sacrifice and sustained support from loved ones.
Invoking another Liberian proverb, the President observed that the way one carries a load determines whether they will be trusted with it again. From this day forward, he said, the nation would observe how these officials carry their responsibilities—urging them to do so with humility, discipline, and honor.
As the officials prepared to take their oaths, the President reminded them that an oath is a binding covenant with the Constitution and the people, not a ceremonial formality. He urged them to serve with honesty, courage, and compassion, emphasizing that true leadership is measured by service rendered, not privilege enjoyed.
He concluded by expressing confidence that faithful service would strengthen Liberia and earn favorable judgment from history, offering prayers for wisdom, strength, and integrity for all those commissioned, and invoking blessings upon the Republic of Liberia.
