Staff Attends Retreat in Ganta City

Monrovia: FAO Staff in Liberia for the first time in more than a decade left the premises of their office to converge in Ganta City, Nimba County for the holding of a four-day retreat.

The gathering which was almost seen as impossible to happen by some staff became a fulfilment following a leadership role played by Madam Bintia Stephen Tchicaya.

Many staff became amazed after the news of the retreat was trumpeted by the staff association President Mr. Edward S. Quirmolue at the end of February and early March. They could not believe that this was going to happen, but yes, it happened.

From March 3 to 6 staff gathered to share social experiences and learned more about the separate roles each one played in making FAO a better institution in Liberia.

Staff from different departments, namely, Program, Administration, Procurement, IT, and ECTAD were allowed to make presentations on how they function and also how each department interconnects.  

The gathering was attended by all the staff who have active contracts with FAOLR and was meant to boost social cohesion among staff to improve productivity.

On the third night of the retreat, a gala ceremony was held to recognize some hard-working staff who have demonstrated diligence to duty over the years and have performed exceptionally in their separate tasks.

During the ceremony, Mr. Darvin Sando Kamara who is the Financial Assistant was awarded the Best Administration Staff, and the National Project Coordinator & Partnerships Specialist, Mr. Emmanuel Kapee was awarded the Best Program Staff. Also, Mr. Abu Keita was recognized and awarded as the Best Driver for FAOLR.

It was a memorable time as the awardees were seen wearing smiles on their faces and colleagues heaping praises for being exceptional in the separate roles they play in the organization.

At the close of the retreat, FAOR a.i. Bintia Stephen Tchicaya who gives the clearance for the conduct of such auspicious gatherings and attended in person, thanked staff for their work and called on them to be more service-oriented than being concerned about getting rich while on the job.  

She said working for organizations like the FAO is an opportunity to give back to society, especially looking at the dying need for food security and nutritional improvement globally.

Madam Tchicaya who has served the FAO for at least twenty-five years encouraged staff in the country office to be a goal-getter and respect the institution's professional standards and systems that guide against fraud.

“We are international civil servants; we must take our separate responsibilities seriously to achieve our goals as staff of FAO. Let’s work as one. We are here to work for the population of Liberia.

I have seen a cheerful group, and I must say we can achieve our goal by working together more harmoniously for the wholesome functioning of FAOLR,” FAOR ai Tchicaya averred.