Greaves Reply Critics

16 May 2011

The man President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf appointed by to serve as assistant minister for European affairs at the Foreign Ministry, Mr. William G. Greaves, Jr., says his detractors have the option to oppose his nomination, but that they are under obligation to speak the truth.

A group calling itself “Concerned Workers Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” criticized President Sirleaf for appointing Mr. Greave to the position in spite of their warning against doing so.

They alleged that Mr. Greaves does not have the university credentials required for appointment to the position of assistant minister by the Sirleaf Administration. Besides, they claimed, he was a “playboy”.

At the time of the publication of the story yesterday, this paper was unable to contact Mr. Greaves for comment.

But an investigation conducted by the paper subsequent to the publication revealed that some of the claims might have been fabricated for reasons best known to the “association”, which some Foreign Ministry higher-ups say is non-existent and acting under false nomenclature.

This paper has found out that Mr. Greaves, rather than being a “playboy” as alleged, is married to a woman whom he described as “beautiful, brilliant, and intelligent”.

With such a wife, Mr. Greaves said, it was unthinkable for anyone to levy such frivolous allegation of unfaithfulness against him. As a public servant, he said, he would accept constructive public criticisms from friends and foe intended to improve his performance, but that it was unacceptable for people to embark on smear campaigns for their own selfish interests.

That aside, Mr. Greaves said it was untrue that he was a high school dropout as claimed by the detractors who he said appeared prepared to go to any length to spew lies.

“I am a graduating candidate at the IBB Graduate School of International Relations. I will be graduating, hopefully, with MA degree in political science and international studies,” Greaves told this paper in an interview.

Regarding working experience, this paper has found out that Mr. Greaves has worked at the Office of the President of Liberia for five years during which he acquired several advance trainings both internationally and locally in development diplomacy, E-Government or enhanced – government, and protocol and etiquette, etc.

How much his conduct and input contributed to his appointment by the President is not known, but our reporter said Mr. Greaves appeared far different from the vile character described by the “Concerned Workers Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”.

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