Barely 24 hours after taking oath of office as new leader of Liberia, President George Weah hit the ground running by making his first appointments, the Premium Times reports.
In his first batch of appointees, he named seven individuals including former Senate Pro-Tempore Gbezohngar Findley, who has been named Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Findley is said to be a close ally of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who was a staunch supporter of former Vice President Joseph Boakai of Unity Party (UP) at the initial stage of the campaign period. Findley reportedly dumped Bokai, fueling speculations that Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf had thrown her support behind President Weah.
Daniel Ziankahn, a major general, was immediately retired as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and appointed the Minister of National Defence, replacing Brownie Samukai at the defence ministry. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
Prince Johnson, a brigadier general, takes over from Mr. Ziankahn as the new Chief of Staff of the AFL.
Chairman of the now ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Nathaniel McGill has now been named the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.
Samuel Tweh, a long-time member of the CDC, who until his appointment was an economic consultant at the Millennium Challenge Corporation under the Ministry of Finance, is to serve as Minister of Finance and Development Planning.
The president appointed Charles Gibson as Minister of Justice, and Sam Mannah as Press Secretary with immediate effect.
The President has directed the heads of other government ministries and agencies remain in place until further notice.
In his first speech as president Mr. Weah renewed his promise to tackle endemic corruption especially in the public service while vowing to prosecute corrupt government officials “to the full extent of the law’’.
“As officials of government, it is time to put the interest of our people above our own selfish interests. It is time to be honest with our people
“For those who do not refrain from enriching themselves at the expense of the people, the law will take its course,’’ he said.
