Retired Chief Justice Korkpor Extols International Partners for Judiciary Supports

Monrovia-Retired Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor Sr. has lauded his international partners and the Liberian people for their overwhelming support of the Judiciary while serving as Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia.

Justice Francis Korkpor made these remarks during his official retirement ceremony held on Tuesday, September 27, at the grounds of the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.

Justice Korkpor thanked and appreciated the support of many friendly Government and International organizations for assisting the Judiciary in their reform programs and projects under his stewardship.

“I thanked and appreciated the many friendly Government and International Organizations that assisted us with our reform programs and projects during the years of my stewardship of the Judiciary”.

The retired Chief Justice thanked the United States Government, the German Government, and the Swedish Government, as well as Chinese Government.

He lauded the UNDP, IDLO, ADA, USAID, UNICEF, Carter Center, and IML for their valuable contributions toward the improvement of the Judiciary.

Cllr. Korkpor however expressed gratitude to the other two branches of Government for the level of coordination amongst them in the midst of many challenges.

The former Chief Justice added that though there were many times they disagreed on issues, they all kept the spirit of unity and coordination for the common good of the Liberian people.

The official retirement of Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor Sr. is the first time ever in the history of Liberia’s Judiciary system for a sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to turn over the mantle of authority to his successor.

The retirement ceremony of the outgoing Chief Justice of Liberia was emotionally charged with miss feelings from counselors, Attorney-at-Law, Associate Justices, Judges, and Magistrates.

Cllr. Francis S. Korkpor could not stop thanking his colleagues on the bench for working assiduously to improve the conditions in the Judiciary.

He at the same time admonished his colleagues to continue the good work they all started in the Judiciary dispensing justice to the Liberian people.

Cllr. Korkpor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the late Charles Gyude Bryant, interim President of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) for appointing him in 2004 to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

He also acknowledged former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for reappointing him as Associate Justice and subsequently to the position of Chief Justice in 2012 due to the illness of former Chief Justice Jonnie Lowis.

Justice Korkpor couldn’t stop thanking his parents who both are (deceased) nourishing and educating him to serve his beloved Country, Liberia.

“I am so grateful to my parents who are deceased now for nourishing and educating me to become useful to my country”.

Associate Justice Sie-A- G. Youh is expected to take the leadership role at the level of the Supreme Court on October 10, 2022, as Liberia’s new Chief Justice.