In what was a deviation from the usual town hall meetings, the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota and the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas held a powerful forum, which featured three powerful officials of the Liberian government.
The Power Forum was a Crowd Puller
The officials made presentations about the legislative process and the appointment of naturalized Liberians, the national security issues and the restructuring of the national army, law enforcement and reorganization of the National Police Force.
The officials present were Hon. Isaac Nyenabo; President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Hon. Brownie Samukai; Defense Minister and Hon. Frances Johnson Morris, Minister of Justice.
Min. Morris makes her presentation
Father Wilson led the group in prayers and invoked the blessings of the Holy Father on Liberians. Martha Sinoe, President of the OLM made the welcome remarks for the occasion and expressed the willingness of Liberians in Minnesota to return to Liberia and work in areas of agriculture, banking and leadership. She encouraged the government to reach out to Liberians in the Diaspora.
Abdullah Kiatamba, Edward Carter, Dr. Dolo, and the President Pro Tempore Hon Nyenabo
The President Pro Tempore for his part outlined his visit itinerary, which takes him to the capitol to attend the inter-parliamentary program and meet with the congressional black caucus. He also took part in the convention activities of the Grand Gedeh Association which was held on May 27th, 2006.
Hon. Nyenabo give an extensive review of the three branches of government with a view to offer the audience a basis for asserting the current independence of each branch as opposed to the past when the executive exerted undue influence on the other branches.
Hon Nyenabo addresses the audience
He also reflected on the constitutionality of burning issues of the government with reference to such issues as citizenship and the leadership of both houses. He also expressed the fact that the last elections held in Liberia were the first internationally acclaimed truly, free and fair elections of all times held in Liberia.
Prof. Joe Gbagba and his wife Araminta
Defense Minister Samukai for his part outlined the transparent process of the new recruitment drive and much to the pleasure of the crowd explained the computerized steps that did not involve an ounce of favoritism or partiality. Gone are the days of one tribe or group dominating the army.
Mr. Wettee, Sleh and Florence Seton, panelists
It is a new day in Liberia, when a government official without any prior engagement can be asked in an impromptu fashion to grace an occasion and can do so and score points with the audience. Minister Frances Johnson Morris made it clear to the crowd that she did not have a prepared statement since in fact she was given a short notice to partake. But, she did make an extemporaneous presentation about the status of the police in its development and restructuring efforts and clarified other pertinent issues.
Ex AFL Colonel Remie Gray, Humphrey Russell in background
She also touched on the elections and clarified to the crowd why absentee voting was not feasible. She explained the elections laws as relate to absentee balloting which required that an absent voter must have registered in Liberia, and if not in Liberia for the elections must notify the elections commission within 45 days of the elections so that ballots can be sent to their destination.
Question Queue
She also emphasized the re-training of the police in protecting the state rather than individuals. Hon Morris is also on a vacation, which she says was one of rest away from Liberia after the hectic elections, and post elections activities.
Questions and Answers
Disgruntled Jerome Quaye
The Moderator of the forum, Dr. Emmanuel Dolo asked the first questions of the Defense Minister which had to do with the mental state of recruits. He inquired if there were any processes in place to deal with post-traumatic stress issues faced by the recruits.
The Senator fielded questions about citizenship, and its effect on the current brain drain situation in Liberia, and the contribution that Liberians from the Diaspora can make if the citizenship constraints are addressed.
Both Honorable men addressed the issues in lucid fashion and clarity. Hon Brownie Samukai stressed the point that the diagnostic tests and psychological evaluation done to each recruit helped in checking for adverse mental issues. And though they did not have a battery of tests to check for other mental issues, the process was surely designed to check the mental balance of the recruits. He also noted that Dr. Dolo was welcome to return to assist in that regard. It is worthwhile to note that this is an invitation from the government to Dr. Dolo to contribute to this endeavor.
Patrick Kugmehn and Father James Wilson
The Senator stressed to Liberians in the audience that the constitution of the land is the organic law of the land. He also stressed the intent of the law and compliance with the constitution, noting that once the constitution is upheld, you have a government and a country. He also clarified the situation with the Liberians who were denied participation in the government due to their citizenship issues.
Lewis Zelee asks his question about the removal of Edwin Zelee as FDA Chair
In response to a question from a member of the audience about the removal of Edwin Zelee from the post of Chair of the Board of the FDA, and its tribal implications, the Senator rebuffed the statement by clarifying that he had pointed out the error of the appointment to the president since in fact the Minister of Agriculture is the Chair of the Board of the FDA. Amidst cheering from the crowd, he went on to state that he corrected the issue with the president and the president in her wisdom had Mr. Zelee removed from the position in accordance with the laws of the land and allowed the act establishing the FDA to prevail.
Mrs. Julia Cooper-Grear and Ms. Harriette Badio
The Justice Minister for her part in response to an internet news story about the Vice President ordering the flogging of a journalist, Hon Johnson stated categorically that she did not know the details, but could vouch that the Vice President would not give such an order. Maotse Wion of the LA News Agency recently reported this story, which was lifted from AllAfrica.com.
The audience was very delighted for the chance to interact with the new brand of government officials and their apparent affinity for the rule of law and knowledge of the constitution.
Finally, the current Vice President of the ULAA, Mr, Emmanuel Wettee thanked Mrs. Sinoe for organizing the event and paid tribute to her farsightedness and vision in recognizing the opportunity to employ the use of the vacationing officials in educating Liberians about the situation back in Liberia.
The audience was also very thankful to the officials who did all they could to meet and greet Liberians during many of the events held in private and public. Minister Samukai was on a radio program with KMOJ at the behest of President Sinoe, he was a guest of the independent Liberian business association and had invitations from friends and families. This was more than a working vacation for him, one member of the audience said.
The Senator met with his constituents during the convention activities, he served as guest speaker and greeted many of those with whom he worked and knew back in Liberia.
Jallah and Morgan Contemplate
The Justice Minister for her part was pulled off vacation rest to meet and tell us of her work, which she did very ably. She is visiting family in Minnesota and is currently the guest of Counselor Reverend Annie Wesley-Swen who is graduating with a Masters in Theological studies in early June.
Also visiting the twin cities was Professor Joe Gbagba, Dramatist, Poet and Teacher. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree. He currently has two masters’ degrees in the literary and educational field.
Mr. Gaye T. Sleh, Jr. of the Illinois Chapter of Organization of Liberians made remarks after the ceremony and thanked the OLM and Liberians as a whole for tendering the occasion. He campaigned for the regional Vice President of the northern region and touted his capabilities in his current tenure.
Conclusion
In times reminescent of the war era, Mr. Jerome Quaye insisting that he represented the people sitting at the back, insisted on questioning the efficiency of the moderator. He also tried to use the forum to air his old activist tirades against the Defense minister. Dr. Dolo was able to skillfully side step the attack and Mr. Quaye relinquished the microphone and was able to go back to the back of the audience to those who he claimed he represented. Upon investigation, none of those represented were identified.
Annie Yonly and Hon Nyenabo
Mr. Quaye is a former student activist who fell into trouble with the Samuel K Doe regime on many occasions for his various political antics.
Last but not the least, kudos must be given to the architect of the planning and implementation of the town hall meeting, Mr. Abdullah Kiatamba who worked assiduously in making sure that the program went according to plan.
Many of the guests leave on Monday, May 29 for other destinations.
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