H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia, was awarded the “Order of Merit (1st Degree)” by H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of the Republic of Ukraine, in recognition of his significant personal contribution to the strengthening of interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The President of the Ukraine issued Decree No. 902/2022 on December 30, 2022, and published it on his official website. The purpose of the decree was to appreciate and recognize the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia for his exemplary stewardship towards the promotion of the rule-based international order, global peace, and security within the context of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
H.E. Mr. Yurii Pyvovarov, Ambassador of Ukraine accredited to Liberia, wrote the following in a communication from the Government of Ukraine dated December 31, 2022, addressed to Foreign Minister Kemayah, informing him about the highest award from President Zelensky. The communication was addressed to Foreign Minister Kemayah “Dear Mr. Minster, It is with great pleasure that I share with you the following information, which I will quote in its entirety for your benefit: “By the Decree of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky No. 902/2022 of December 30, 2022, the Order of Merit (1st Degree) was awarded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, Mr. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah for a significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty
The following is the continuation of the communication from the Ukrainian government: “I want to extend to you, on behalf of myself and all Ukrainians, my most heartfelt congratulations, Dear Minister. We are looking forward to having you visit Kyiv in the beginning of 2023. Best wishes for the New Year 2023! With sincere regards, Ambassador Yurii Pyvovarov, who is accredited to the position of Ukraine’s Ambassador to Liberia,
In acknowledgement of the honor bestowed upon him by President Zelensky of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Kemayah, on behalf of the government and people of Liberia, as well as in the name of his family and himself, extended profound gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, as well as the government and people of Ukraine for awarding him the Order of Merit (1st Degree).
In his further response, Foreign Minister Kemayah immediately dedicated the honor that had been bestowed upon him by President Zelensky to His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, as well as the Government and People of Liberia, as well as his family, for the confidence that had been placed in him, as well as the unwavering support that he had received, and for the opportunity to serve.
The Ukrainian Chevaliers Order of Merit, First Degree is the highest rank in this category of national honor. It is given to illustrious individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the fields of international affairs, government, economics, the armed forces, culture, and politics.
On September 22, 1996, Leonid Kuchma, who had previously served as President of Ukraine, established what is now known as the “Chevalier’s Order of Merit.”
In the meantime, a flood of messages of congratulations began arriving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Foreign Minister Kemayah mere minutes after the announcement that she had won the award, and they are still coming in.
The award is evidence that Foreign Minister Kemayah’s performance has been recognized and appreciated on the global stage, as evidenced by this award from President Zelensky, according to political analysts and commentators who assert that the award is another clear indication that the work of Foreign Minister Kemayah extends beyond the borders of Liberia.
In addition, President Zelensky bestowed the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (3rd Degree) upon Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia. In addition, President Zelensky bestowed the Order of Princess Olga (3rd Degree) upon Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, and Catherine Colonna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, for their significant personal contributions to strengthening interstate cooperation and support for Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Relatively recently, the Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu and the Secretary General Jefferson Tamba Koijee of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) heaped praise on the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his exceptional work and for exemplifying leadership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both men were speaking on behalf of the CDC.
When asked about the role of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the CDC government, Chairman Morlu referred to them as “one of the pillars of success.” In addition to this, he emphasized that the CDC is pleased with its choice to back His Excellency Ambassador Kemayah in his current position as Foreign Minister.
Chairman Morlu mentioned that the Liberian government’s Foreign Minister is committed to enhancing and advancing the country’s foreign policy. He asserted that Minister Kemayah has been working hard over the past five years to improve and promote Liberia’s foreign policy.
Chairman Morlu gave his assurance that Amb. Kemayah would remain in his position as Foreign Minister until the Day of Judgment if it were up to him (Chairman Morlu) to exercise the power to appoint officials.
In order to put into action President Weah’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), the Chairman issued a call to the assistant and deputy ministers working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging them to give their fullest support to the reforms that Minister Kemayah has initiated at the Ministry.
