The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted July 3, 2004

National Transitional Government of Liberia’s head, Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant says the rebuilding of the country without honesty on the part of all Liberians is highly impossible; as Patrick K. Wrokpoh reports.

Chairman Bryant said if Liberians do not exhibit honesty in all their endeavors, they will never be able to build Liberia.

The NTGL Chairman was speaking yesterday in the parlors of the Executive Mansion shortly before he performed the commissioning ceremony of 41 Assistant Ministers in the transitional government.

He admonished the Assistant Ministers to be committed and diligent as they carry on their jobs, stressing that their role as Assistant Ministers is not insignificant as some may think.

Chairman Bryant said the role of an Assistant Minister is that of a technocrat between civil servants in government and the cabinet minister proper, who plays a pivotal role to run the day to day affairs of the government.

He called on the Assistant Ministers to play their role well adding, “please, do not let us down, we are depending on you to run the government.”

Chairman Bryant added that although there may be some lapses in the government, it is never too late to correct those mistakes or lapses.

Responding, the Assistant Ministers through their representative, promised to carry out their respective jobs with commitment and diligence.

They further promised to uphold all provisions of the CPA and commended all those that helped resolve the dark cloud that was hanging over their appointment as Assistant Ministers.

The program was graced by senior officials of government including members of the Cabinet, family members and other well-wishers.

In a related development the Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant has condemned in the strongest term, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and is therefore calling on former warring factions, the DDRR authorities and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to speedily disarm, demobilize and reintegrate all child soldiers as a matter of highest priority.

Chairman Bryant said he wishes to point out that the recruitment and use of children for combat is an abominable practice that must never again be tolerated in Liberia, stressing that it is a heinous act that has blighted the image of our country in the course of the 14-year period of conflict and political instability.

The Chairman also called upon national and international institutions connected with Child Rights issues, to take appropriate measures to ensure that no one under the age of 18 is recruited into the new Liberian army.

Chairman Bryant assured Liberians and the international community of the NTGL’s unwavering determination to do all it can within its power to promote Child Rights issues, and deal promptly and decisively with all those who violate the rights of children in Liberia.