Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai on February 13 appointed retired brigadier general, Geraldine George, as acting minister of defense.
Following her appointment, Geraldines became the first woman in the country’s history to hold the powerful position.
Boakai who won the election after beating George Weah in 2023, promoted Geraldines after Prince Charles Johnson III resigned from the position.
Charles was forced to step down following protests by the wives of soldiers on Monday, February 12 who blamed him for low wages and poor living conditions in military barracks.
Earlier, Boakai appointed Geraldine as the deputy for administration in the defence ministry after he was sworn in as president on January 22, 2024.
Geraldine Education
Brigadier General George a graduate from the College of West Africa (CWA), holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations, Webster University, USA, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from African Methodist Episcopal Zion University College, Monrovia.
She also obtained several certificates including Intelligence, Fight against Terrorism from Rome, Italy, Administration of Justice, Liberia Institute of Public Administration, Monrovia and Public Sector Management, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone.
Geraldine further has a military training certificates in Military Police Basic Officer Leadership Course, Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, USA, and a Company Commander Course from the Rwanda Military Academy, in GAKO, Rwanda.
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Professional Career
Geraldine George’s military career dates back on July 24, 2006, when she successfully enlisted in the army as part of the first batch of soldiers of the restructured Armed Forces of Liberia during the rebuilding period that followed the country’s second civil war.
She has served in various posts in the Armed Forces of Liberia including an Acting Commander-23rd Infantry Brigade, Military Police Company Commander -23rd Infantry Brigade and Brigade S-5, CIMIC Officer- 23rd Infantry Brigade
The retired brigadier has also served as a Provost Marshal- 23rd Infantry Brigade, Legal Officer-Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters, and Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS)- Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters for the last six years.
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Adding on the list, Geraldine also held posts of an 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.
Furthermore, she bagged awards and authorizations: Distinguished Graduate Advance Individual Training, 22 December 2006; Pistol Classification Sharpshooter, January 2008; and the United Nations Medal (MINUSMA), 28 September 2017.
As it relates to authorization, she is authorized to wear Fort Leavenworth School Badge from the Command and General staff College, legitimate to wear the International Students Military Badge and approved to wear the Basic Military Police School Badge.
Liberia has witnessed other women holding higher positions starting with Ellen Johnson Sir leaf Liberian politician who served as the 24th president from 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa.
