Liberia appoints first-ever female Defence Minister
Liberia has made history by appointing for the first time, a female Defence Minister for the country.
Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George was announced as Acting Defence Minister following the resignation of the country’s newly appointed Defence Minister Prince Johnson who quit only 10 days into his tenure.
The retired army chief resigned after a protest by the wives of Armed Offices of Liberia (AFL) Officers over allegations that Johnson was mistreating military personnel stationed across the country.
The military wives accused the former army chief of engaging in unethical labour practices and voiced worries about the low pay, inadequate benefits, and unfavourable living conditions in the barracks.
After the acceptance of his resignation letter by President Joseph Boakai on February 12, his deputy, General Geraldine George was appointed as acting Defence Minister.
The former Deputy Army Chief of Staff Brigadier is the first woman to occupy the position in the history of Liberia, marking a significant step in women's empowerment in the country.
Here’s a profile of Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George
Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George has served in the Armed Forces of Liberia as Acting Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Military Police Company Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Brigade S-5, CIMIC Officer, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Provost Marshal, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Legal Officer, Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; and Acting Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS).
She has also served in the Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; as Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (ACOS J1)(2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation (ACOS J3) (2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters, information from Liberia’s Ministry of Defence.
Brigadier General George holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University College in Monrovia and a Masters in International Relations from Webster University, USA.
She also has too her credit, several certificates including an Intelligence, Fight against Terrorism certificate from Rome and Italy, the Administration of Justice from the Liberia Institute of Public Administration, Monrovia, Public Sector Management from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) at the University of Sierra Leone.
Janet is also authorised to wear the Fort Leavenworth School Badge from the Command and General Staff College, authorized to wear the International Students Military Badge and authorised to wear the Basic Military Police School Badge.
The Deputy Chief of Staff was enlisted into the AFL on July 24, 2006, as part of the first batch of soldiers of the restructured Armed Forces of Liberia.
