Weah Boasts Setting World Class Democratic Roadmap -Holds Final Cabinet Meeting, Pushing for Seamless Transition

MONROVIA: President Weah says his outgoing administration has raised the democracy bar in Liberia’s body politic that not only requires extraordinary fortitude on the part for future leaders of the country to meet but also puts the country on the international democracy map.

Delivering his opening statement at his Government’s final cabinet meeting Wednesday, November 22 at the Executive Mansion, President Weah said his has played an important role in setting what he called “an unprecedented democratic roadmap not only for Liberia and Africa, but for the world at large.”

He said the free, fair, and transparent election that his Government organized and sponsored singlehandedly has won wide-spread international recognition and admiration, “and I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your roles in achieving this successful feat”.

He stressed that the recently concluded October 10, 2023 Legislative and Presidential Elections marked a significant chapter for Liberia.

Following the final tally of the November 14, 2023 Presidential Run-off Election, President Weah noted that the National Elections Commission (NEC) declared Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai as the President-Elect and he graciously and honorably accepted the results, extending his congratulations to Ambassador Boakai as the next President of Liberia

“Now, it is time for us to turn our attention to the transition process,” Dr. Weah further said. “To facilitate a smooth transfer of executive power, I have issued Executive Order No. 123, establishing the Joint Presidential Transition Team (JPTT). This team will be co-chaired by both the Incumbent and Incoming Presidents, demonstrating our commitment to a collaborative and orderly handover.”

He added: “I am hereby calling on all government entities, including ministries, agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises, to initiate the transition process within your respective institutions by preparing a comprehensive Turnover Note. Your Turnover Note must include information that is of critical relevance to the transition, and I urge you to work closely with your respective Legal Teams and the Legal Adviser to the President to ensure its accuracy and completeness.”

“I am advised that the specific components your Turnover Note must encompass the following elements: a catalog or inventory listing of all government or state-owned assets; relevant financial records, including sources and amounts of external funding; completed and ongoing projects with sources of funding;  important human-resource-related information and or data; a listing of external partners and the focus of their support; current legal commitments, including cases, disputes, and settlements; international commitments and obligations.”

He told his appointed officials that any other crucial information or data that they may deem necessary for the Incoming Administration should be presented in the Turnover Note.

He warned further: “Your Turnover Note is a legal document that the Incoming Administration will use to assess the status of your respective institutions. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to prepare it under the guidance of your Legal Team and in close consultation with the Technical Team of the JPTT, as specified in Executive Order No. 123.”

The Director General of the General Services Agency is mandated to assist in tracking all Government Assets during this transition, the Liberian leader said. “The deadline for the submission of the Turnover Note is within two weeks from today, and all Turnover Notes must be submitted to the Office of the Director General of the Cabinet.”

According to him, the National Transition Process is time-sensitive, and he expects all of this officials to prioritize this process in their daily activities, going forward.

“I am hereby mandating all ministries, agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises to cooperate and fully  support the transition process,” Dr. Weah said. “The Director General of the Cabinet and the Legal Adviser to the President will work closely with you to ensure that necessary information is timely generated and properly communicated.”

He informed the Cabinet that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet will lead the Joint Presidential Transition Team, and he expects all team members to cooperate fully.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet will communicate with the President-Elect to designate his team members for the first and all other subsequent meetings of the JPTT, and provide daily briefings to my Office.

Concluding, he expressed his gratitude for this officials’ unwavering support over the past years.

“In spite of the many challenges that we encountered, we take pride in the work that we have done to serve the Liberian people,” he asserted. “The interest of our people remains paramount, and I trust that the new administration will build upon our accomplishments to make Liberia even better.”

“I implore each of you to prepare and submit your Turnover Notes diligently, contributing to a seamless transition of power from the Incumbent Government to the Incoming Government. Let us approach this process with a commitment to accuracy, credibility, and the collective welfare of our beloved Liberia.”