PHOTO: Amos Tweh, UP Sec. General and Chief Zanzan Kawor
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The opposition Unity Party (UP) of former Vice President Joseph Boakai has strongly criticized the 176th Independence Day Ooration delivered by the Chairman of the National Traditional Council Chief and Elders of Liberia during the official ceremony in Monday on July 26, 2023.
Last Wednesday, Chief Zanzan Kawor in delivering the oration marking the country’s independence day, showered praises on President George Weah of the ruling CDC party for purchasing motorbikes and vehicles for traditional leaders.
Chief Kawor also praised President George Weah for being the first Liberian leader to chose traditional leader to deliver the keynote speech on the anniversary of Liberia’s independent day and criticized opposition political parties for not cooperating with the government in undertaking development in the country.
But addressing a press conference in Monrovia later in the week, UP’s National Secretary General, Amos Tweh expressed disappointment on the speech by Chief Zanzan Kawor describing it as divisive, tribalistic and chorus for singing songs of praises for President Weah, instead of speaking on issues prevailing in the country
He said Chief Kawor needs to account for the many funds given during the administration because he considered all donations and allotments given the council as his.
Mr. Tweh, a former Deputy Internal Affairs Minister in the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government, claimed that it was the government under the Unity Party that enacted the law that established the National Traditional Council of Liberia, constructed chief quarters in Monrovia and other parts in the country
According to the Unity Party National Secretary General, Chief Kawor has desecrated the sanctity of the Traditional Council exposed it to public ridicule and caused the council to lost its moral authority to serve as a custodian of peace to resolve national crisis in the country.
The main opposition UP Secretary General encouraged members of the council to consider removing Chief Zanzan Kawor as Chairman because he has over stayed and there is a need to give position to another traditional especially during the crucial time in Liberian history
“The council, under the leadership of Chief Zanzan Kawor, can never play the role of resolving any crisis in the country because he has officially taken a side in the political divide,” he said; adding: “ we have lost confidence in the council under the leadership of Chief Zanzan Kawor.”
According to him, the National Traditional Chief and Elder Council was established to solely to serve an advisory role for the maintenance of peace , coordinate the activities of traditional sector and work along with the religious community in the maintenance of peace in the country.
“When such a personality is given a national platform to speak; he is expected on national issues and policies that will guide the country on the path in which the country should go.”