Liberia's own Spiderman
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
TREASURER OF KONOLA ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MISAPPLIES $50,000, MEMBERS CRY
What will be known, as classic textbook case of how not to run an alumni association has been uncovered in the Konola Alumni Association. It has been learned that its treasurer who was voted into the position in 1990 and held the position until the last convention in September of 2006 defrauded the Konola Alumni Association of about $50,000 over a 17-year period.
According to sources in the hierarchy of the organization who explained the genesis of the story, the Treasurer was elected and has held the position of Treasurer for successive four-year terms due to his trustworthiness and his immaculate record keeping.
He was elected in 1990.
One may wonder as to how such a fraud could have been perpetrated amongst a group of people as learned as the composition of Alumni of Konola? The group has doctors, lawyers, teachers and a wide range of other professionals.
The source in a telephone interview stated that the Treasurer kept complete records, but what the body never asked for were bank statements.
How did the body finally get to know? Besides small projects of chairs, yard maintenance equipment to send to their school, the association had never undertaken a large project as the $12,000 truck they bought, serviced and paid freight for in 2005.
The truck caused $7500.00, servicing was $250.00 and shipment and licensing was about $4500.00. As far as the body was concerned at the time, the treasury had up to $30000.00 plus, so when the treasurer was asked to provide the money for the quick shipment, and he took three months to come up with the amount, it was then that the rumor mill started.
People were quite skeptical about out rightly accusing the treasurer, The President of the Organization flew in to Minnesota to meet the State’s representative and together they asked for a meeting with the Treasurer, unfortunately that meeting never was held.
Several other incidents pointed to the fraud, but it was all about whom to bell the cat. Meanwhile, the treasurer went about his normal duties day by day.
The final straw came during the convention when the report was about to be made and the Treasurer called the Board of Directors and other members of the finance committee in. He proceeded to ask their forgiveness and tell them that the money, about $18,000 had been lent out to a Pastor whom he did not want to name.
In the main time, his wife was asked to keep quiet several times as she just went on explaining much to the annoyance of the members. When quizzed further, the Treasurer broke down and confessed to misappropriating the funds.
The Board then decided to cover up the fraud. While the body waited for the report, the caucus members came out and told the body that the Treasurer’s report was not forthcoming and that it would be made and mailed out to all the members.
Some members were mad, but the trust for the Treasurer won out and the convention proceeded without incident.
To make sure that the amount given by the Treasurer was accurate, the Board went to the bank to request five years of statements.
When the statement was received and reviewed, some members broke down and cried.
The CD was broken and emptied of the $11,000.00. Monies from conventions, year in and year out were systematically deposited cleared and then withdrawn, sometimes up to $1500.00 a day for days. The organization paid so many fees for being below the limit that it amounted to hundreds of dollars.
When a forensic audit of the statements was made for the five years, it showed that the Treasurer used up to approximately $50000.00 from the Association.
The organization is currently in the process of waiting for the Treasurer to refund the money, which he says, will be done in two months as of September.
Other members are afraid that if nothing’s done about this gross abuse of public trust, the viable organization would surely crumble. Others yet are concerned as to how this could have been perpetrated for so long without anybody stopping to check.
The organization after the audit had only $379.00 balance in its account. The organization is planning legal action if the Treasurer does not pay the amount. This one insider says is to shore up the organization and keep the morale up.
PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO STANTON PEABODY ON ITS 42ND ANNIVERSARY
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) will observe its 42nd anniversary with an early morning parade of newsmen through the streets of Monrovia, ending up at the campus of the University of Liberia where the United States Ambassador Donald Booth and the former President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, Mr. Mohammed Kamara, are expected to address the anniversary edition of the Edward Blyden Forum on the theme: 'MEDIA, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.'
Since its founding, the PUL has grown into a vibrant pro-democracy group in the Liberian society championing not only media matters and free speech, or improving journalists' role in the society, but also affecting issues on democratic governance human rights, rule of law, gender development and transparency in government.
In a Statement, the PUL says, "On the 42nd anniversary the Press Union will pay special tribute to the bravery of veteran journalist Stanton Peabody, whose jailing by the Legislature on September 29, 1964, gave birth to the PUL."
Where is Stanton Peabody now?
Mr. Peabody continues to practice journalism in Monrovia as Editorial Consultant of the Daily Observer - a paper he edited in the eighties before the civil conflict. He is also a Journalism Instructor at the AME University on Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia, Liberia.
HEATED EXCHANGES AT FINAL DEBATES
Every two years members of the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA) come together to decide who leads the Organization for the next two years. With this year being an elections year for the Union, after listening to the various candidates in Minnesota few weeks ago, delegate and well-wishers on September 22, 2006 jam packed the International House located in the part of Philadelphia popularly known as the University City to listen to the various candidates for the last time before elections.
CROSS SECTION OF DELEGATES
Though the debate was well attended as compared to the Minnesota debate, it failed to start on time. During an exchange before the start of the program, Hon. Gbai M. Gbala, a prominent Liberian, Mr. Arthur Watson, out going president of the union, and Mr. Kesselly, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Union all expressed their disappointment with the issue of Liberian disrespect for time. "Liberians can never change regardless of where they are, we can never start anything on time," said Gbala.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Elections Commissions, Mr Benoni T. Grimes praised the turn out of delegates. He expressed his hope that the election will produce a President who will take the organization to the next level. He said at the end of the day, he trust that Liberians will turn out to vote the candidate of their choice who is capable of leading the Union .
WATSON, SETON AND KESSELLEY
Though the various candidates were present, the debate itself was mainly a re-echo of statements made in Minnesota . For the position of Secretary General, the two candidates re-affirmed their positions. For his part, Mr. Isaac Zawolo of the Wettee-Selli team, after lengthily outlining his educational achievements, emphasized his hope to work hard to improve the Union . Adding, over the time we've worked hard to improve the organization, we even improved the Union 's chapter by an addition of a new chapter. On the other hand, Mr.Adolphus Jacobs of the Toe-Norris Team promised to transform the Union . He said the Union needs to redefine its roles. He described the Union as a drowning organization that need changes. Adding, how can you be Drowning and want to save another person who is drowning?"
As the two Vice Presidential Candidates took on each other, the level of civility that is usually exhibited by female politicians was at its peak. Though the two candidates did not meet during the last debates in Minnesota due to the absence of Mrs. Georgia Selli from the Wettee-Selli camp, their level of maturity and respect for each other was well exhibited. In her usual soft spoken voice, Mrs Danlette Norris of the Toe-Norris camp, said, "I come not with all the knowledge but to partner with you." On the question of how independent are the two candidates outside of their respective heads, Mrs. Norris said, "I do not subscribe to things I do not believed." For her part, Mrs. Selli said she has always worked independently and hope to continue doing so. "I will never be a rubber stamp, she said.
OLD HANDS FLOMO AND BROWN
The Presidential debates, though not much was different form the promises/statements made in Minnesota , saw some heated exchanges. Interestingly, the debate was mainly fired up due to what many described as the "home angle" because of important questions asked by a Panelist, Mr. Wesseh, the Managing Editor of the Inquirer News Paper in . Wesseh, who just traveled from Liberia to attend some Training in Virginia said while the Liberian population in Liberia views the Union as a serious force in the social, political and economic development of Liberia, the Union has been silent on many issues for months. He raised a question about the Candidates position on the issues of Liberian Citizens only being people of Negro Decent, to which both candidate took refuge in the constitutions.
Another Panelist, Mr. Abraham Massally continuously raised questions that were direct as he seemed to be well informed about the issues and concerns in the various chapters of the Union . However, when Massally could not properly frame a question intended for Mr. Toe, his supporters led by Rev. Samuel Reeves disrupted the debate and brought it to a standstill for about 13 minutes of protest. Some called on him to be replaced, however, that did not happen as Masselly later asked his question in a more defined faction.
Meanwhile, the official programs marking the 32nd Convention is expected to start today, September 23, 2006 at the same venue that give birth to the organization in 1974 ( The International House). The convention is expected to be presided over by the Union's out going president, Mr. Arthur Watson at 9 A.M. Delegates are also expected to walk next door to cast their votes while the convention is in process. Later in the evening, the Union will host delegates and well-wishers to a formal dinner/ball at which time the Elections Commissions is expected to announce the results of the Elections.
DELEGATES BEGIN TO DESCEND ON PHILLY
The 32nd National General Assembly of the Union Of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), opens with the arrival of delegates who are expected to arrive in the historic city of Philadelphia from the 20 Chapters of the organization in the Diaspora.
The Assembly that is expected to give the Presidential candidates the opportunity to debate for the second time before the elections, will officially open with an address from the organization's out going president, Mr. Arthur Watson. The program is expected to be held at the famous International House of Philadelphia located at 3701 Chestnut Street in the area widely referred to as the University City.
The delegates who are arriving by land and air are expected to jam the program hall to hear what Wettee and Toe will be telling them for the last time before the elections. When Bush Chicken spoke to some delegates who arrived in the city of brotherly love, they expressed their prepareness to vote for the right candidate who will take the organization to the next level in the Diaspora.
One female attending the debate from the host City of Philadelphia told Bush Chicken, "This is no Joke, it is time for all those who been playing around to get serious, we are about to make decisions that will affect the future of Liberians." She further said that ULAA has been an organization for the few who always used it to get Jobs in Liberian Governments, but that is about to change.
Meanwhile, the ULAA elections commission today released the delegates' voters' roll. Minnesota's delegates are:
1. MARTHA T. SINOE
2. WRITHERS NYENIE-WEA
3. ABDULLAH KIATAMBA
4. GEORGETTE GRAY
5. KAMATY DIAHN
6. EDWARD CARTER
7. MOSES G. VAH
8. CAROLINE GALIMAH
9. ROBERTS S. MORRIS
10. NATHANIEL SLEH
11. YASER TALO
12. MOMOLU SIRLEAF
13. MARY JOHNSON
14. KULAH PARKER
15. DAVID BARMON
ALTERNATES
1. DANIEL SAYDEE
2. AMOS GRAY
3. NATHANIEL NYANWLEH
4. STEVE NIMELY
5. TARLOH QUINWONKPA
6. J. SAMUEL REEVES
7. JESSE FAHNGON
8. KIRKPATRICK WEAH
9. Mailou Hayes
10.Ziahn Jerome Pour
11.Victoria Pour
12.Edwina Taye
KULAH PARKER SPEAK ON ISSUES
The elections for the presidency of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas are now only three days away and the landscape is getting more defined. In the past few days, Rev. Reeves, Rev. Wilson and other prominent Liberians have made their intentions known as to whom they support for the highest job within the Diaspora.
The endorsements are a way for the opinion leaders in the community to show whom they support and in the process help the candidates garner more votes.
It is expected that before September 23rd arrives, the political landscape will be so defined that it will be clear who stands behind whom.
It is within this vein that the BC got a call from a community member and leader, Mr. Kula A Parker. Mr. Parker served as the Internal Auditor of the George Wuo administration for two years and was also a presidential candidate for the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota in the just ended Minnesota elections. He later withdrew his candidacy.
In his interview with the BC, Mr. Parker noted that before the debates he was quite undecided about where he stood with regards to who was more equipped than the other to lead the Union. But, after listening to the debates he is now convinced that Mr. Wettee did not make a case for wanting the highest Liberian job in the Diaspora. He noted that Mr. Wettee still has a chance to make a stand in Philly on Friday otherwise Mr. Toe will win a landslide victory.
With regards to Mr. Toe’s debate issues, he states that they are clear, his immigration ideas, accountability promise and the transparency in the dealings of ULAA should be commended. If Mr. Wettee cannot successfully counter Mr. Toe during the second debate, the victory will be resounding.
Mr. Parker also stated that the Toe team seems to have a clear plan of how the Union should lead in the next two years. Stating further, “ I believe if elected, Mr. Toe will bring fresh ideas to the Union and strive for a permanent solution to the immigration problem”.
“We cannot continue marching and demonstrating from year to year, we should lobby congress and engage our politicians”.
With regards to the delegate issue, Mr. Parker stated that he raised the issue with Mr. Grimes and the leader of the OLM. He noted that the community needs to know who are the people that will be voting and putting in a new leader, they need to know the process. As it stands right now, community residents are completely ignorant to what the processes are in appointing delegates.
Asked if this is an endorsement of Mr. Toe, Mr. Parker noted that if the election was to be held today, his position is clear, he would be voting for Mr. Toe.
Finally, Mr. Parker averred that if this was not election season, probably no one would even care about ULAA, the disconnect with ULAA and the Chapter organizations are due mainly to the poor representation of ULAA at the chapter level.
He ended by admonishing the delegates to vote their conscience in Philadelphia and make sure they use their analytical judgments based on the discussions and records of the candidates.
In other news, it is reported that Mr. Karlton George has reportedly endorsed the candidacy of the Toe Norris team; the BC will bring an update as soon as more information is available.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)