Monrovia, Liberia - President George Manneh Weah has promised to build Liberia’ first Military Teaching Hospital exclusively for use by the Army and other security forces. The Liberian leader made the promise today when he spoke at the 61^st anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFL), which is celebrated February 11 each year.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Weah made the promise on Monday, February 12, 2018 at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia during activities marking the celebration of Armed Forces Day. The Liberian leader said when built, the facility “will be the first ever Military Hospital built in Liberia.” He added that the hospital will “be equipped with modern facilities, and will be staffed by highly trained medical personnel.”

Greeted by thunderous applause from the men and women in arms, government officials and foreign dignitaries present, the Liberian leader said the facility will also be a Teaching Hospital, to train the men and women in arms in all medical disciplines.

Responding to the urgent housing needs of the men and women of the AFL, the President said he was committed to tackling the problem because the families of servicemen and women have outgrown the existing facilities and there is an urgent need to address such pressing problem.

President Weah then instructed the Minister of National Defense to begin an immediate assessment of all military housing facilities across the country and report to him within the shortest possible time to begin to find lasting solution to the problem.

The Liberian leader also said his administration will ensure that members of the AFL will not only be respected, but will be one of the main drivers of the ‘Change for Hope’ agenda. He said his “administration will be committed to building an army of professionally trained soldiers, who are well paid, highly educated, comfortably housed, and medically cared for according to the highest standards.

President Weah however thanked Liberia’s bilateral military partners for their continued support to maintain and strengthen the existing bilateral arrangements. He emphasized collaboration with the United Nations in maintaining national and international peace and security.

February 11 each year was set aside as Armed Forces Day by an Act of the National Legislature in 1957 - to honor the men and women in arms for their contribution to the nation. This year’s theme for the celebration of the day was dubbed: “The Armed Forces of Liberia – ‘A Force for Good’, Contributing to Regional Stability, Promoting Peace and Reconciliation in Liberia.”

Earlier, in his keynote address, the Chief of Defense Staff of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin praised the AFL for the level of professionalism demonstrated over the years especially for its military’s critical role in the just ended democratic elections that brought President George Manneh Weah to power.

Maj. Gen. Olonisakin stressed the need for increased military-civilian relations that will ensure a more cohesive semblance of collaboration for peaceful co-existence.

The celebration was attended by a host of dignitaries including senior government officials, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, religious and traditional leaders, top brass of the Armed Forces of Liberia, among others.