PHOTO: Christian Jallah, MRU Resident Coordinator; Ophelia Hoff-Saytumah, MARWOPNET Focal Person, Liberia Chapter
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmal.com
The regional organization, the Mano River Union is calling on the four member states of the MRU to re-affirm their commitment towards gender equality and foster the enable environment for gender-equal governance space, workplaces and equality in health and wealth.
The Resident Coordinator of the MRU in Liberia, Christian Jallah, said the union is sincerely praying that the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in the country will be void of violence, transparent as Liberians go to the polls to vote.
Ambassador Jallah was speaking at the thanksgiving service in commemoration of 20 years of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in Liberia held at the Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia.
“Let us work for the generation of quality with each one consider as equal to the other because the MRU will continue to advocate for more women in the sub-region to have positions in governance and to provide the enabling environment for entrepreneur growth so as to break the barrel of backwardness,”
According to him, more actions are needed to be taken in order more women to in the decision making process especially in politics, the public service and the private sector development.
“The MRU will continue to support the Mano River Women Peace Network and all women organizations in the call for positive actions and called on governments of member-states to continue to support women’s programs that promote gender equality in national development issues.”
A segment of the congregations at the service organized by MARWOPNET
“We have come a long way ; but much still need to be done because our women are still in the minority in decision making positions as the 30 percent requirement in legislative and other positions of decision making has not been achieved.”
“Female politicians and entrepreneurs are still marginalized and discriminated against negatively; so then, as we commemorate the 20 years of peace, we must be able to reveal through our historical lenses and actions about women’s role in the peace process that we all are enjoying today.”
Meanwhile, the people of Grand Cape Mount County have reportedly donated 750,000 Liberian Dollars as their contribution for the re-construction of Radio MARWOPNET.
Radio MAWOPNET got burnt as a result of lightening that struck the building destroying the entire station and equipment with fire.
Another group at the service
SRemarking during the service, the national focal point of MARWOPNET Liberia Chapter, Ophelia Hoff-Saytumah, disclosed that the United Nations Development Program based in Sierra Leone has also donated large sum of money which has helped in purchasing the transmitter for the radio station.
“That has been main focus and it is almost finish and thanks for our partnership with the Mano River Union because its secretariat has been instrumental in securing a equipment through the UNDP Sierra Leone for Radio MARWOPNET Liberia Chapter.”
She commended the people of Tienne, Grand Cape Mount County because they have been undertaking the re-building of the structure with any reward.
For her part, the Executive Director of the Liberia Crusaders for Peace, Jedee Andy, stressed the need for Liberians to respect one another views in order to maintain the peace in the country.
According to her, this election will go and leaders will come and go; but Liberia will remain, and this is the only country Liberians have because political differences do not necessarily mean enmity.
“The warning signs are on the wall my people if you know what we all went through, we will not forget the role played by people like Comany Weeseh, George Weah and others.”
Delivering the sermon at the service, the Director of Women and Children Department at the Providence Baptist Church, Reverend Charlotte Kaicora, said as the country goes through this heated campaign season, there are many Liberians praying to God for a particular leader.
According to her, promotion comes not from the east, nor from the west; but promotion comes from God in heaven.
“Regardless of your political of affiliation,” she went on, “we need to give thanks to God because he knows what is best for us and no one can un-turn or overturn God’s decision.”
“God is his own Interpreter and he will make plain when the time comes because, as we gather to pray, this should be our prayer, Lord not our will but let your will be done.”
“Even though, we do not have enough to eat, but we can still rejoice because we have peace.”
“Even though, the cost of living seems to be very high, but we can still rejoice because we have peace.”
And even though, there are shortage of drugs and medical equipment in our hospitals; we can still rejoice because we are still enjoying peace.”
For his part, the President of the Inter Religious Council of Liberia, Sheik Fumba Sheriff, paid homage to the founding fathers of the council.
They included Sheik Kafumba Konneh, Bishop Michael Francis, Lutheran Bishop Ronald Diggs and Bishop Nah Dixon for their role in initiating the peace that eventually brought the West African Peace Keeping Force (ECOMOG) in Liberia.
“ In the sight of Islam, the key to heaven door is under the feet of our mothers and prayed for God’s blessing on women in Liberia in the maintenance of peace in the country.”
Also speaking, the President of Liberia Council of Churches, Reverend Doctor Samuel Reeves, who also the President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, assured the women of the LCC support in whatever initiatives geared towards peace in Liberia.
During the service, former Education Minister, Dr. Everlyn White-Kandakai, presented buckets of flowers to Madam Theresa Leigh-Sherman, former President of MARWOPNET; Madam Alelia Hooke-Ward, founding member; Madam Mary Brownell, former Chairperson of the Liberia Women Initiative and Madam Etweda Cooper, first Secretary General of Liberia Women Initiative.
The service was organized by the Manor River Women Peace Network was graced by women from the Islamic and Christian faiths, Senator Caminay Wesseh, former Senator Grace Minor, representatives of women from MRU regional organization comprises of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Liberia.