Liberia: Ministry of Defense Releases Calendar of Events for Armed Forces Day Celebration
-Major General Pablo Estrada, Commanding General of 46th Military Police Command of Michigan to serve as keynote speaker for the 66th Armed Forces Day
Authorities at the Ministry of National Defense said all is now set and ready for this year’s Armed Forces Day annual celebration under the theme “Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working Together for Peaceful Elections.”
The Armed Forces of Liberia was legislated on February 11, 1957 with the sole intent of paying homage to the men and women in arms of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) who are making tireless sacrifices to maintain the security of the nation and those who had sacrificed their lives for their Country.
Sam Collins, Assistant Defense Minister for Public Affairs said the events will start on Friday, Feb 3 with Jumma Service at the Edward B. Kesselly Military Barracks (EBK) for Muslim prayer service to dedicate the nation and Armed Forces of Liberia to the Almighty Allah for his continual guidance and protection.
According to him, on Saturday, Feb 4, civil military relations calls the cleanup campaign and will be conducted within the general area of Duport Road from 0600-1200hrs. He said 100 AFL personnel along with employees of the Ministry of National Defense and the residents of Duport Road will give the community a facelift as the AFL Band provides music.
“The AFL is executing this year’s cleanup campaign in partnership with the Lonestar Cell MTN and Paynesville City Corporation (PCC),” he said.
Collins said the medical outreach which is a regular activity of the AFL day celebration will be held within Po River, Bomi County.
“The exercise will be conducted from 0500 hrs -1500hrs. A team of 20 personnel from the Medical Command will cover general health education, HIV prevention messages and basic medical screening for the local inhabitants. A few outpatient treatments will be applicable,” he said.
Collins said the Mini-sport tournament will bring together the joint security, Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Liberia Motorcycle Union, Tri-Cycle Union and the Liberian National Student Union (LINSU) at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, commencing at 1 pm on Saturday February 4, 2023.
He said the tournament will also see two female soccer teams from the Liberia Football Association participating at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
He said on Sunday, February 5, 2023- Thanksgiving Service will be held at the International Military Church, Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks, Schiefflin, Margibi County.
Collins said on Tuesday February 7, 2023 a symposium will be held at the Monrovia City Hall, beginning at 1 pm.
“It will bring together relevant stakeholders to deliberate on a carefully selected topic- “Fostering Effective Stakeholders Engagement for Sustainable Democracy.” The topic is aimed at ensuring adequate preparation for the 2023 general and Presidential elections,” he said.
The theme for the 66th Armed Forces Day is “Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working Together for Peaceful Elections,” while the topic for the symposium is “Fostering Effective Stakeholders Engagement for Sustainable Democracy.”
He said the Keynote Speaker for this intellectual occasion will be Stephen Rodriguez, UNDP Resident Representative to Liberia.
“Other panelists include Mrs. Josephine Nkrumah, Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS; Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Honorable Eugene Nagbe, Commissioner, Liberia Maritime Affairs; Reverend Father McDonald W. Nah, National Director, National Commission for Justice, Peace and Caritas (NCJPC); Imam Sheikh Ali Krayee, Chief Imam of Liberia and Williametta Piso Saydee-Tarr, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection
He added that Steve J.H. Zargo, Senate Committee on Defense, Security and Intelligence and Veteran Affairs will be in attendance as well.
He said on Wednesday and Thursday of February 8-9, Units Display display will last for two days at the Barclay Training Center. The event will be open to the student community from 0800 hrs to 1500 hrs. Students attending the Units’ Display must be dressed in uniforms. During this exhibition, various units of the AFL will showcase their equipment at different stations. The units will display the capabilities, roles and functionalities within the AFL.
He said the official celebration will kickoff at 600hrs at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) and this year Armed Forces Day will be hosted under the theme: “Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working Together for Peaceful Elections.”
Collins said Major Gen Pablo Estrada, Commanding General, 46th Military Police Command (Task Force 46), Lansing, Michigan, will serve as the Guest Speaker for the 66th Armed Forces Day.