By Christian Appleton
Monrovia, Liberia – July 3, 2025 – In a landmark move signaling a new era of institutional reform and transparency, Liberia’s Minister of National Defense, Brigadier General (Rtd.) Geraldine Janet George-Johnson, on Wednesday signed eleven comprehensive policy documents aimed at overhauling internal operations and significantly improving accountability within the Ministry of National Defense (MoD).
The official signing ceremony, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, was attended by senior defense administrators, policy experts, and representatives from the MoD Strategic Working Group. This initiative marks a crucial milestone in the ongoing efforts to modernize Liberia’s defense sector.
“These policies demonstrate our persistent effort to foster efficiency, institutional resilience, and integrity,” stated Minister George-Johnson during the ceremony. “Today, as we steer the affairs of this institution, we commit ourselves to lead in a time where every action or inaction, from ethical conduct to financial management, is governed by clarity, focus, and accountability.”
The newly signed policies encompass a wide range of critical areas:
- Accounting Directive & Manual
- Fixed Assets and Warehouse Management Directive & SOP Manual
- Death Gratuity and Bereavement Support Directive
- Procurement Directive
- Transportation and Traffic Management Directive
- Internal Audit Charter Directive
- Internship Directive
- Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards Directive
- Risk Management Directive
These documents lay the foundation for a structured and transparent governance framework, introducing detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that will guide day-to-day operations and decision-making across the Ministry.
According to the MoD Strategic Working Group, the policies were developed through extensive consultations and evaluations involving internal and external experts, senior compliance officers, and defense administrators. The reforms are firmly rooted in three core principles: good governance, operational excellence, and institutional resilience.
The new directives are expected to impact all areas of defense operations, including procurement systems, human resource management, logistics, ethics enforcement, and financial controls. By codifying procedures and introducing robust risk management and internal audit structures, the Ministry aims to strengthen its ability to withstand both operational and financial challenges.
Implementation teams have already been mobilized, with training sessions and awareness campaigns planned throughout the remainder of 2025. Additionally, all policies will undergo annual reviews to ensure they remain responsive to evolving institutional and national defense needs.
“Policies are not just documents to be shelved—they are promises to our service members and citizens,” Minister George-Johnson concluded.
The signing represents a renewed commitment by the Ministry of National Defense to transparency, ethical governance, and the establishment of a professional defense institution that is fully accountable to the people of Liberia.
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