GUATTA CONSULTING GROUP


BIO/CV



Minister of Commerce, Republic of Liberia





Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Republic of Liberia The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the government ministry in charge of regulating and facilitating Trade and Trade related activities with direct impact on the growth and development of Liberia’s economy. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry was established by an Act of Legislature in 1987 but was originally established in 1948 as the Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Oct. 2020 – Jan. 2024Served as the senior official of government on Commerce, Trade and Industry related matters nationally and internationally. Served as head of the senior management team and overall staff of the ministry. • Served as lead trade negotiator for the Government of Liberia both locally and internationally. • Supervised the establishment and regulation of commodities, import-export and overall implementation of trade standards. • Developed and Implemented policies guiding the commerce of the country. Led the promotion and development of foreign and domestic commerce. • Had direct oversight for the Liberia Business Registry (LBR), the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) and the National Standards Laboratory (NSL) all Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies. • Led the process for the drafting and passage of the Act Establishing the National Standards Authority in June of 2022. • Served as lead negotiator between the Government of Liberia and the World Bank in securing 40 Million dollars financing for the private sector under the project titled “Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P)”. The LIFT Project, which was ratified by the legislature in June of 2022, is historical in that it is the first direct support the World Bank has provided to the private sector of Liberia and is being directly implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. • Led the legislative engagements resulting in the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Agreement in July of 2023. • In May of 2023, led the presentation for and successfully passed the nation’s first WTO Trade Policy Review since its accession to the WTO in July of 2016. • Served as Liberia’s lead Negotiator in Geneva to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Councils and to Council of Trade Ministers at the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and ECOWAS.


Chair of the Cabinet, Republic of Liberia





Upon departure from the country, the President of the Republic of Liberia has the constitutional authority to designate a senior cabinet minister to “Chair the Cabinet” to handle the affairs of the nation in his absence. The designated minister “Chairs the Cabinet” in consultation with the Vice President and the President via telephone consultation. Upon return to the country, the cabinet member returns the mantle of authority of the state back to the President.

May 30-31, 2021


Designated by H.E Dr. George M. Weah to Chair the Cabinet in his absence as he attended an Emergency Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra, the Republic of Ghana.


September 15-19, 2021


Designated by H.E Dr. George M. Weah to Chair the Cabinet in his absence as he attended the Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of the Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra, the Republic of Ghana.



Deputy Minister for Administration
Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Liberia





The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government Ministry responsible for directing Liberia’s external relation and management of its international diplomatic missions. The ministry was established as a cabinet level branch of government in 1848, soon after the country’s declaration of independence in 1847. Originally called department of state the ministry assumed its current name in 1972.

July 2019 – Oct. 2020


• Served as Head of administration and supervised several departments including Procurement, Finance & Audit, Human Resources, Information Technology and General Services. • Oversaw collection, analysis, and reporting of financial data necessary for the Ministry’s internal policy decisions. • Had responsibility for the Development of the Ministry’s budget and oversight of the budget execution. Setting up of policies for the management of all Ministry’s procurement activities • Had responsibility for the management of payments of salaries and wages, pensions and other employee benefits for local staff and staff at all Liberian Embassies and Missions across the world. Ensuring that the operational and logistical needs of Liberia’s Foreign missions were met. • Ensured adherence to organizational culture and compliance with employment and labor rules and regulations while implementing policies to support talent management, succession planning, and labor relations. • Managed the inventory of the Ministry’s assets locally and the country’s assets internationally. • Had direct oversight for the management and implementation of the Ministry’s strategic plan (including the PSIP) and coordinated both internal and external communications of the Ministry. • Represented the Ministry at local and international meetings, forums and conferences with foreign and development partners. • Performed other tasks as assigned by the minister.


Acting Minister, Aug 2019, Sept 2019


Coordinated the activities of all departments and the senior staffs in the absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs • Represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs at cabinet level and inter-governmental meetings and functions. • Executed budgetary responsibilities as deemed necessary.


Special Presidential Envoy, December 4, 2019


On behalf H.E Dr. George M. Weah conveyed a special message and presented a written communication to H.E Muhammadu Buhari at his Executive office, Aso Rock villa, Abuja, Nigeria.


Special Presidential Envoy, September 2, 2019


Represented H.E Dr. George M. Weah at the swearing in ceremony of the 2nd batch of Peace Corps volunteers



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