PHOTO: Margibi District #2 Rep. Ivar Jones
Austin J. Wisseh, jaustinwisseh100@gmail.com
(+231) 777891148/886532058
Alumni of the Young Political Leadership School (YPLS) Africa have completed a day-long Town-Hall meeting in Harbel City, Margibi County, with District # 2 Representative Alva Jones calling on youths to take advantage of YLPS Africa training programs.
The scores of youths in Lower Margibi County attended the Town-Hall meeting recently organized by the Alumni of the Young Political Leadership School Africa.
The meeting centered around the ‘County and Social Development Funds and its impact on National Development’.
Rep. Jones, an alumni of Young Political Leadership School Africa, took center-stage giving explanations on the County and Social Development funds.
Among other things, the Liberian Lawmaker said: “We are doing our best in exercising the responsibility reposed in me by the citizens of district two, Margibi County. There are three things that are causing delay in developments for our citizens: political affiliation, political divergence and misinformation.” County Development Fund is given through the government of Liberia. While the Social Development fund comes from companies. And all these are for the development of the affected community, district, county and Liberia at large. The critical voices/intellectual class should raise the issues when the people are denied safe drinking water, good sanitation… and not raising issues based on misinformation.”
The well-attended Town-Hall meeting took place at the Abundant Life Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Camp One, with the following organizations present: the Cotton Tree Youth Counsel Network, Voices Liberia (Organizer of the Margibi Regional Debate), Intellectuals of Lower Margibi County, the elite intellectual Class of District # 2 and many more.
Rep. Jones praised the YPLS Alumni.
“We want to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Alumni of the Young Political Leadership School Africa for coming to our district. We encourage young people and those who want to occupy political offices to seize the opportunity of attending any classes of the YPLS Africa. You’ll stand to benefit not been a back-bencher when it comes to decision making in your community, district and county. Let us try to change the way of politicking. I believe that by attending this institution, you can have the opportunity that your argument will not be based on hate or hear say but your argument will be tangible that it brings the necessary dividend to your district. Thank you so much!” the Margibi County District #2 Lawmaker added.
Alphia Faith Kemokai, an Alumni of the Political Leadership School and Program Coordinator, YPLS Africa, made a presentation on behalf of Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director, Naymote Partners for Democratic Development.
“Democracy has a lot to do with people. Liberia is a democratic state and you as citizens, you have responsibilities. Without people, there is no democracy. We’ll be talking about some principles of democracy,” Madam Kemokai said.
She went on naming some democratic principles: “The sign post of democracy is Citizens’ participation; debating the issues and voting, paying tax… are rights that belong to you. Exhibit political tolerance. Engage your Leaders in a responsible way. These tenants should be on the inside of us before the politicians come to us. If we can’t practice these, we’ll start to hurt each other during elections. You can’t hurt your brother because you don’t support the same political leader… Learn to be tolerant. This is why the Alumni of the Young Political Leadership School Africa organizes Town-Hall meetings. To educate you all; that you can still be friends no matter your political alignments. Accountability and Transparency are key signs of democracy also. Leaders should be accountable to the people they are representing. Even in your local organizations, you should be accountable. The people must be aware of what is happening. In a democracy, the press and the people are able to get information about what decisions are made, by whom and why.”
Faith Kemokai concluded that “It is your right to know. Ask them. It’s not just about wearing T-shirt.
“Over the years, we have among other things, used those funds to do projects in this district. (constructing the bridge linking Unification and Dolo Towns and the Barclay Farm Police Station as well, procuring vehicles for the project management committee of the county).”
Speaking at the end of the meeting, one of the participants, Habukkuk Parker spoke highly of the importance of the forum, which he described as “marvelous and welcoming to have such a gathering where young people can get educated and exposed to the necessary things.”
Mr. Parker said they had the opportunity “to ask our lawmakers the hard questions on the things that matter”.
He said he is looking forward to enrolling soon into the Young Political Leadership School Africa.
“We look forward to policy makers attending these meetings in the interest of the people, the scores of young people in attendance spreading the messages for community development and peaceful coexistence in spite of the political divides,” the Liberian youth Habukkuk Parker pointed out.