I intend to continue in service to my country and people. I know of no other way to demonstrate the love I feel and the hope I share in the future we seek for the country we love.

I thank the President for the opportunity to have served our country and people. I am honored by the support provided and confidence reposed in me.

My appointment as Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism was also a small tale in the ongoing story of Liberia’s transformation. The historical truth is that President Sirleaf did not have to appoint me, a member of the opposition National Patriotic Party, Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, an appointment which effectively elevated my voice to represent the Unity Party-led Government both at home and abroad.

For four long years, I have not only served in the Cabinet of the Standard-Bearer of the Unity Party but I have also enjoyed equality in access like all senior officials. Over these years, I have never been impressed that I am a political ‘outsider’ who must be watched and entreated with suspicion. I have never had to think that my views were not to be considered seriously by the President or other colleagues.

Of course, in the execution of the mandate of the Office of Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, I have had to criticize some, and be criticized by others. I know that I still will be. But the remarkable truth also is that even when provided with the opportunity to publicly sacrifice me to cure political dissent within the ranks of her party, the President refused.

She explained it profoundly when she said in one of my many reflective conversations with her, “I am Standard-Bearer of the Unity Party, and I am President of Liberia. I try to never forget the difference.” My prayers, Madam President, are with you – that you will remain devoted to and guided by the difference.
I thank all the members of the Liberian cabinet with whom I have worked over the course of this journey. I believe we do not get the plaudits we deserve for the work we do. But I know how hard each of you continue to work and I believe long after we are gone, the kindness of history will befall upon us. It will record that Liberia’s transformation – indeed its upward trajectory – to build a more just and equitable society came to be fashioned on the works of each of you.

I thank the Legislature and the Judiciary for their cooperation. I understand that the tangibles – roads, ports and electricity – have understandably commanded public interest and attention. But I have seen our society leap forward more on account of the changes in the intangibles. I have seen – thanks to the coordinated efforts of the three branches – the evolution and consolidation of a new governance model in which the Legislature has gotten stronger and the Judiciary more independent.

Even if our politics prevent us from publicly admitting this, I know that as this new democratic order continues to unfold, Liberians and friends of Liberia are settling in the truth that Liberia’s political transformation is irreversible – that the new governance model of increasing accountability to the people through steadier commitment to the democratic principle of checks and balance is being institutionalized. I know our country will stay this course.

I thank the Liberian media for their cooperation and support. Of course we have had our ups and downs but like we partnered against Ebola, I leave with the impression that that partnership can grow beyond the sidelines of the ‘watchdog’ into one which elevates the Liberian journalist to a place around the table of national decision making.

Recently, at a meeting of African Ministers of Information and Communication, in Marrakech, Morocco, we discovered that what our Continent now needs to further its ongoing transformation – indeed what Liberia desperately needs – is more than a ‘watchdog’. Liberia and the African Continent need journalists who are partners in development. It is no longer enough that you watch out for and merely report the news, but that you are in partnership with the government – that you are seated around the table – knowing that you are also a part of the outcome of the news; part of the development of the country.

The simple truth is that each action or inaction of the government affects all journalists, their families and friends. This, then, is why journalists must continue to advocate for that which makes our country better. However, such advocacies must be pursued fairly and justly so that in fact, our society can continue to be better, more peaceful and prosperous for all.

Over the course of my service, I became increasingly aware of various pressures on journalists. One important pressure is that more often than not, journalists are internationally celebrated by the deterioration in relations, or for the lack of a better descriptive, the perceived levels of antagonism between the government and the media.

This pressure especially on African journalists continues to breed the unfortunate impression that to necessarily be acclaimed internationally as a ‘good’ journalist – to be considered truly independent – one must be at loggerheads with the government or one must be dedicated only to reporting negatives. I was shocked to learn from a few learned colleagues that to report the positives of one’s own country – which essentially is a reporting on the collective capacities of the society of which the journalist is an integral part – is to do the government a ‘public relations’ favor.

The evolving truth is that the government and the media must work together for the good of the society. This is demanded in a democracy if either partner intends to succeed. Never forget, when you blow the roof off the house, the rain will also fall on your head.

From janitor to director, and from security to deputy, I thank all the employees and staff of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism for their cooperation and support. I thank all of the senior colleagues I have had the privilege of working directly with. Some have moved on and others are still here. Each has improved me in a different way. I wish them the best of luck in their various undertakings.

Finally, I thank all of you in radio and television land for allowing me into your spaces for the last four years. May we continue in the certain knowledge that we own this country together, and that it is a shared duty to build it as we wish it to be for ourselves and for our children.

For the last time as Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, I draw the curtains with profound gratitude, and as so often said: I love this country like you do. May God continue to bless our Republic.
I thank you.