President George Weah has challenged members of the Joint Presidential Transition Team (JPTT) to demonstrate a high degree of honesty and patriotism for Liberia in their discussions to ensure a smooth transfer of power from one administration to the other.
He said it was important that each member of the JPTT put the national interest first, above personal interest, and carry the “spirit of unity and success that has brought us to this point.”
The President maintained, “I encourage this Joint Presidential Transition Team to prioritize and focus on the national interest and to place the general good of the Liberian people first and foremost in your deliberations.”
President Weah spoke Friday, November 24, 2023, when he addressed the inaugural meeting of the JPTT, which brought together the President-elect and Vice president-elect and team, at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia.
According to him, Liberia made history six years ago, following the peaceful transfer of power as the first democratically-elected leader to receive the baton of power from another democratically-elected leader, after a span of more than 70 years.
This, the President stressed, “Today, we are on the verge of passing this symbolic staff to another democratically-elected leader, marking yet another important chapter in our democratic journey.”
“So, let us ensure an effective, efficient, and seamless transfer of power to President-elect Boakai and his team, because the success of this process hinges on our collective commitment to the greater good of our nation,” he noted.
Welcoming the JPTT to the Mansion, the President asserted, “We stand on the verge of an historic occasion, guided by the authority granted under Chapter 2, Article 5(c) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.”
“And so, we find ourselves entrusted with a solemn duty—to chart the course for the seamless transfer of power to the incoming administration and this first meeting of the JPPT, and all that will follow carry immense significance for our democratic legacy and national history,” he indicated.
The President further explained that a successful transition, professionally orchestrated, will not only shape the trajectory of Liberia, but will also positively influence peace, security, stability, and future prosperity.
He pointed out that he was of the highest confidence that the representatives of the incoming leadership on the JPPT possess the best qualities and meet the high standards of competence and skills required to steer the country smoothly from the outgoing administration to the incoming administration.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s President-elect, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, also had the chance of addressing the gathering.
