MONROVIA: The Charge d’affaires at the US Embassy near this Capital, Joel Maybury, says Liberians should not wait for America to impose sanctions on government officials in order to stop corrupt practices in the country.
He called on well-educated Liberians to ensure that integrity institutions work properly for good governance in the country.
Ambassador Maybury made the remarks over the weekend when he served as guest lecturer at the Schools of Graduate & Professional Studies, Cuttington University in Congo Town, near Monrovia.
Maybury was the first foreign diplomat to lecture at the institution by invitation of the School of Global Affairs and Policy.
Speaking on the theme: “When Actions Speak Louder Than Words: An American Diplomat Shares Effective Communication Tips,” Ambassador Maybury challenged aspiring diplomats to develop strong communication and writing skills, and learn a foreign language in order to ably represent Liberia in diplomatic circles.
During the question-and-answer session at the end of the lecture, Liberian academics, professionals and students in attendance focused their questions mainly on the role the American government should play to curb corruption and safeguard the democratic process in Liberia.
In response, Ambassador Maybury observed that Liberia is a land where people dare to believe in dreams.
He added that “Liberians should not expect others to do for them what they can do for themselves.”
Earlier, in introductory remarks, Mr. B. Elias Shoniyin, Dean of the School of Global Affairs and Policy, applauded Ambassador Maybury for accepting the invitation to deliver the first lecture by a foreign diplomat at the school.
He stated that the initial idea was intended to blend academic instructions with practical experiences from seasoned diplomats as a way of preparing students to face real life situations.
In separate remarks, Dr. Rudolph Bropleh, incoming Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Roosevelt Jayjay, Deputy Vice President for Academic Affairs & Officer in Charge of the Cuttington University Schools of Graduate and Professional Studies said, the appearance of Ambassador Maybury was historic and a land mark event that would be continued with invitations to other high-profiled diplomats and heads of international entities.
The vote of thanks was given by Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, while the program was moderated by Reginald B. Goodridge, Sr., both Adjunct Lecturers at the Graduate School of Global Affairs and Policy, a press release, dated February 17, 2023, and signed by Lawrence Lableh, Cuttington University Schools of Graduate and Professional Studies, said.
