By Bill W. Cooper
Despite facing allegations of false academic credentials, the plenary of the Liberian Senate has unanimously confirmed Sara Beysolow Nyanti as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah.
Madam Nyanti was confirmed Friday, February 9, 2024, following a report from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chaired by Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon.
Nyanti, a former United Nations Envoy, is the Political Leader of the newly established African Liberation League (ALL), and contested the October 10, 2023, presidential elections.
She also previously served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Sudan and Humanitarian Coordinator in the East African nation, among others.
Following her nomination by President Joseph Boakai, Nyanti’s academic credentials came under serious criticism from student activist, Martin Kollie, currently residing abroad.
Martin Kollie is the leader for the ‘Campaigners Against Academic Crimes (CACC) which claimed that Madam Nyanti does not hold legitimate academic credentials, including an undergraduate degree from any recognized university.
Also, the Senators, during the hearing, failed to question the nominee concerning the allegation, despite the fact that she could not clearly state whether or not she got an undergraduate degree before obtaining a master’s degree.
But facing the Senators, Nyanti, with an extensive background serving the UN, showcased her resilience and extensively outlined her plans and vision to champion the country’s foreign policy, if confirmed.
Meanwhile, Nyanti was confirmed along with Roland Giddings as Minister of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), and Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu as Minister of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Others are Gbemie Horace-Kollie as Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister and Dr. Louise Kpoto as Minister of the Ministry of Health.
These Ministers’ confirmations also came as a result of separate reports from the Senate Committees on Public Works, Youths and Sports, and Health and Gender.
With the confirmation of these nominees, Liberians now looks ahead to the collective efforts of the Boakai-led administration’s ministerial team in achieving his campaign promises.
