Liberian Students Association formed in the U.S.
After months of intense “behind the scene” struggles, the Liberian Students association in America (LIBSAA) has finally obtain its legal status to operate as a none-for-profit organization (501C) in the U.S.
Liberia has a history of a long standing relationship with the people of America which dates back to decades of years ago. Peoples of the two nations have interchanged trade, education, culture and other vital services that promotes human and infrastructure developments. There are many Liberians who have traveled in and out of the United States in search of academics, economics, social and political opportunities. This immigration and tourism has been highlighted by the fourteen year bloody civil war, which devastated all modern facilities and infrastructures including educational and healthcare delivery mechanism; widely sweeping away every dependable human and material resources available at the time (Brain-drained).
The civil crisis which briefly ended 1997 by an Abuja Accord, setting a democratically elected government in place, recommenced 1998 just after the national presidential elections, this influenced a mass migration of Liberians out of the country to other parts of the world including the United States, adding a significant number (approximately 150,000 more people) to the population of Liberians who have earlier come to reside here (U.S.) in search of better and greater life opportunities.
Regardless of how we, “the Liberian Student Population in the USA” got here, we have greatly engaged ourselves in the pursuit of higher education and other scholarly activities at various institutions of learning in and around this resourceful country (USA). In our individual efforts to develop our minds and contribute to the future development of our nation and its people, we must continue to focus on excellent scholarly performance and activities and organize ourselves in such that we will create a legacy that will collectively represent us as Liberian Students after we have achieved our goals and gone.
Considering the above mentioned circumstances and the fact that we as a people hailed from such impoverished region of the world;
Firmly believing that genuine need for unity amongst us (Liberians residing in the United States of America) is greatly required to foster human and material resource development here and abroad;
Capitalizing on the achievements unity has brought to people from different regions of the world residing here in the USA and determined to emulate such shining examples for the empowerment of ourselves, Liberian Students in the United States of America;
Now, therefore, it is deemed necessary to form an association of Liberian students in universities and colleges in the United States of America to be called “Liberian Students Association in America" (LIBSAA), with the mandate and responsibilities to constitute the below guidelines as guidance to the implementation of the association’s programs.
Aims and Objectives:
To promote and develop the welfare of all Liberians who are current and perspective students in universities, colleges and all academics institutions around the country; and to promote acquaintance among us (Liberian Students) through academics, economics, and social-cultural activities; holding the following objectives:
· to establish a data bank that contains positive information on the names, addresses and telephone numbers and every available contacts of all Liberian Students in academic institutions within the USA, who are members and affiliates of this association;
· to promote the exchange of ideas, technical experience and information relating to scholarships, employments and training opportunities amongst members and mobilized resources to provide materials and financial assistance where needed for the development and education of our members;
· to develop and implement recreational and social activities that encourages frequent acquaintance, association and communication amongst our members;
· to provide guidance and directions for Liberian students graduating from high schools and other secondary education setting with ambition for university and college enrollment by assisting such student (s) with university and college orientation, where needed; and
· to mentor and provide psycho-social and counseling supports for members desiring such services.
Our Mission:
To build a family relationship that would promote an endless quest for education and academic development; and promote the Liberian cultural values while encouraging cooperation, participation, sharing and caring amongst all Liberian Students in the USA .
Principles:
In fostering the quest of our (LIBSAA’s) mission and objectives, LIBSAA shall hold the following principles as her guidance:
Sincerity:
Remaining sincere in all that we do for and on behalf of our members, association, community and most of all our country Liberia, from the depth of our hearts;
Equity:
Promoting moral and social equality amongst all Liberian Students in the USA regardless of color, condition or creed.
Courage:
We shall be courageous in our strive for education, focus and steadfast in every step this process requires;
Activities:
1) Networking amongst members (information gathering and sharing)
2) Recreational programs ( annual festivity )
3) Advocacy and Capacity building
4) Care and Counseling Support Services
Board members
1. Dr. Sakui Malakpa
2. Dr. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley
3. Mr. Moses Saygbe
4. Mr. Vafolay M Tulay
5. Mr. Alvin Teage Jalloh, Esq.
The association hosted its first officials and Board members teleconference meeting on October 28, 2006 at 7:00 pm eastern time. In his opening remarks, the organizing chairman, Mr. Paul K Kennedy formally presented the organization to the Board members and urged them to serve as the organization’s back bones and principal architects. His remarks were followed by introduction of officials and Board members. In her introductory remarks, Dr. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley “who is an assistant professor of English at Penn State University in Pennsylvania, U.S.” Congratulated the architects of the association and pledge her fullest support to the association. She also cautioned Liberian Students to take advantage of the many educational opportunities and add educational values to themselves whilst in the U.S.
Mr. Vafolay Tulay introduced himself and pledged his support to the association. He emphasized the need to create enough awareness and network Liberian Students in order to achieve the association’s goals. Mr. Tulay volunteer to design the association’s website at absolutely no cost to the association.
Dr. Malakpa “who has been one of the organizing architects of LIBSAA” congratulated the hard working organizing officials and promised to answer every working calls of the association at any time. Dr. Malakpa is a 21 year veteran Liberian professor presently teaching at the Toledo University in Ohio, U.S.A.
Another Board member “Mr. Moses Saygbe” cautioned the association to broaden the membership of the association to encourage other students who were born in the U.S. but are of Liberian descends. He said a good number of students who are of Liberian descend but does not know much about Liberia could also be very instrumental in achieving the association’s goals.
On his part, Clr. Alvin Teage Jalloh, Esq, expressed his willingness to render any needed legal assistance to the association. He urged the association to engage in educational activities and to design programs that will help cautiontise other Liberian youths that are not in school.
LIBSAA is urging all Liberian students to rally around the newly formed association in order to achieve its goals.
For more information about the association, call:
1. Sam K Zinnah………..302 241 1442
2. Paul K. Kennedy……..301 755 3008
3. Fallah Porter………….630 863 5923 or email LIBSAA at lib_students@yahoo.com
Written by:
Sam K Zinnah and Paul K Kennedy
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Reunion
After five years of being separated from his wife, Sam K Zinnah was finally reunited with his wife on october 6, 2006 at the JFK international airport in New York.
Friday, October 13, 2006
The Kpakah, Zinnah and Kamara families of Kakata, Bopolu and Billimah announce, with profound regrets, the home going of their mother, sister and grandmother, Madam Massa Zinnah Kamara Kpakah. This untimely event occurred in Monrovia, Liberia at the Saint Joseph Catholic Hospital on October 1, 2006.
Neah (big sister) Massa was the granddaughter of the legendary Mandingo Chief, Sao Boso, of Bopolu in Western Liberia. She was the daughter of Honorable Boima Zinnah, one of the first indigenous to be elected to the Liberian House of Representatives.
Madam Massa Zinnah Kamara Kpaka was married to Mr. Morris Momo Kpakah of Kakata who predeceased her. This union was blessed with eight (8) children, three of whom are in the United States of America, including, Momo Kpakah of New Jersey, Hawa Kpakah and Ibyansi Kpakah of Laurel, Maryland.
She is survived by several sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of other relatives.
The body of the late Massa Zinnah Kamara Kpaka will be transported and laid to rest in Totoquelleh, Gbarbolu County.
For further information, please contact: Mr Botoe K Zinnah at 2316841215 or Korvah Zinnah at 23177061023 or contact Sam K Zinnah at 302 241 1442 for additional information.
CONTACTS Location Relationship Tel.
Barbie Zinnah Stewart…………Houston, TX: ……… Sister 281 373-5967
Mr. Thomas & Botoe Zinnah…..Monrovia, Liberia…..Brothers 2316841215
Korvah Zinnah…………………Monrovia, Liberia….. Brother 23177061023
Mrs. Zoe Kpakah………………Monrovia, Liberia …Daughter
Elton Momo Kpakah…………..Elizabeth, NJ…. …….Son 908 400 -5312
Hawa Kpakah………………….Laurel, Maryland….....Daughter 301 776 – 4651
Emmet Kpakah ……………….Monrovia, Liberia……Son 2316422566
Ibyansi M. Kpakah…………….Laurel, Maryland…….Son 301 466-5103
Hawa Ma Zoe Kpakah…………Minnesota…………Grand daughter 763 561-8599
Announcement by:
Sam K Zinnah
Delaware State
On behalf of the family
The plight of homeless Liberian children in Senegal
Children are valuable gifts from God to mankind which no amount of money can buy. When God gives us children, he expect us to play our role well by providing provision, protection, discipline etc. if these children are to become better future leaders or citizens. But unfortunately, Liberia was became a dancing and breeding ground for poverty and the devil over the years with war all over in Liberia and neighboring Sierra Leone, Ivory coast and parts of Guinea. The fourteen year civil war in Liberia forced thousands of Liberians into refuge in search of security and better life. In the process of escaping to neighboring countries “from Liberia” many children lost their parents to stray bullets, hunger and other diseases thus leaving them with limited options to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival and security whilst in refuge. Some successfully escaped to Senegal but were abandoned in the streets of major cities in Senegal begging for their daily bread as if they were from nowhere.
Having felt the need as Christians, a group of three Evangelist came together to establish the Children Souls Ministry in Senegal in 2000 with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh as the executive Director. The Children Souls Ministry is a non-for-profit Christian humanitarian organization which funding comes directly from friends, sympathizers, well wishers, sponsors and concepts organized by the children geared towards supporting themselves in refuge.
According to Evangelist Kpeh, The Children Souls Ministry’s objective is to take as many children “out of the streets” as possible. Evangelist Kpeh said his ministry has been involved in training, educating and sheltering homeless and abandon Liberian children in Senegal. He said his ministry does not want these homeless children to feel neglected by society but to see them feel part and parcel of society and to become better citizens who will return to Liberia to contribute to the reconstruction process. Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and his hard working staffs are working tirelessly to reunite these children with their parents “if they have” but unfortunately, most of the children are abandoned and don’t even know their parents and well about. The initial goal of the Children Souls Ministry was to cater to twenty children between the ages of five and fifteen years but because of the growing number of homeless children that are kicking at the Ministry’s doors, it has become almost impossible to say no to any of the children that hits the door with their personal belongings in plastic bags.
In an online conversation with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and Evangelist Titus Sebo, few touching and heart breaking questions was posted to this author. Evangelist Kpeh asked: Have you ever held a dying baby in your arms? Have you ever seen a mother in tears because she cannot look after her child or children? Have you ever watched as children beg for the very things that we throw out? Have you ever realized that you could or someone could be you? Have you ever care enough to make a difference in someone’s life?
Both Evangelists Melvin Kpeh and Titus Sebo re-emphasized that their Ministry “The Children Souls Ministry” came into existence for the sole purpose of saving the lives of refugees and abandoned children that are left in the streets of Senegal to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival, security and education. He said some of these children are abandoned due the parents’ inability or unavailability to cater to them. Evg. Kpeh said as Christian he cannot only worship Jesus and continued to see homeless and helpless children died in the streets simply because there’s no one to cater to them. He said the vision of his Ministry is to see these children stand up and say we are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today. The Ministry also wants to see these children stand for the Biblical truths where other generations have failed. According to the executive director, since the establishment of the Ministry in 2000, they have moved from one building to another due to the Ministry’s inability to meet up with rent, utility bills and capacity to accommodate the heavy influx of homeless children. Due to the above reasons, the executive Director of the Children Souls Ministry “Evangelist Melvin Kpeh” is urging all Bible believing Christians to come to the aid of these homeless and abandon children.
For donations, contact the below address:
The Children Souls Ministry
B.P. 25134, Darkar Fann
Senegal
Tel: +221-537-3144
By: Sam K Zinnah
Liberian Student
Delaware State
szinnah@yahoo.com
Having felt the need as Christians, a group of three Evangelist came together to establish the Children Souls Ministry in Senegal in 2000 with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh as the executive Director. The Children Souls Ministry is a non-for-profit Christian humanitarian organization which funding comes directly from friends, sympathizers, well wishers, sponsors and concepts organized by the children geared towards supporting themselves in refuge.
According to Evangelist Kpeh, The Children Souls Ministry’s objective is to take as many children “out of the streets” as possible. Evangelist Kpeh said his ministry has been involved in training, educating and sheltering homeless and abandon Liberian children in Senegal. He said his ministry does not want these homeless children to feel neglected by society but to see them feel part and parcel of society and to become better citizens who will return to Liberia to contribute to the reconstruction process. Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and his hard working staffs are working tirelessly to reunite these children with their parents “if they have” but unfortunately, most of the children are abandoned and don’t even know their parents and well about. The initial goal of the Children Souls Ministry was to cater to twenty children between the ages of five and fifteen years but because of the growing number of homeless children that are kicking at the Ministry’s doors, it has become almost impossible to say no to any of the children that hits the door with their personal belongings in plastic bags.
In an online conversation with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and Evangelist Titus Sebo, few touching and heart breaking questions was posted to this author. Evangelist Kpeh asked: Have you ever held a dying baby in your arms? Have you ever seen a mother in tears because she cannot look after her child or children? Have you ever watched as children beg for the very things that we throw out? Have you ever realized that you could or someone could be you? Have you ever care enough to make a difference in someone’s life?
Both Evangelists Melvin Kpeh and Titus Sebo re-emphasized that their Ministry “The Children Souls Ministry” came into existence for the sole purpose of saving the lives of refugees and abandoned children that are left in the streets of Senegal to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival, security and education. He said some of these children are abandoned due the parents’ inability or unavailability to cater to them. Evg. Kpeh said as Christian he cannot only worship Jesus and continued to see homeless and helpless children died in the streets simply because there’s no one to cater to them. He said the vision of his Ministry is to see these children stand up and say we are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today. The Ministry also wants to see these children stand for the Biblical truths where other generations have failed. According to the executive director, since the establishment of the Ministry in 2000, they have moved from one building to another due to the Ministry’s inability to meet up with rent, utility bills and capacity to accommodate the heavy influx of homeless children. Due to the above reasons, the executive Director of the Children Souls Ministry “Evangelist Melvin Kpeh” is urging all Bible believing Christians to come to the aid of these homeless and abandon children.
For donations, contact the below address:
The Children Souls Ministry
B.P. 25134, Darkar Fann
Senegal
Tel: +221-537-3144
By: Sam K Zinnah
Liberian Student
Delaware State
szinnah@yahoo.com
A respond to Cyril Allen's allegations
A respond to Cyril Allen’s allegations
The National Patriotic Party “which self proclaim chief, Cyril Allen led” was not operated as a political party but rather as a notorious form of pro-paganist and satanic group or arrangement that terrorized, dehumanized, denied children of their childhood immunity and inflicted mayhem upon the entire sub region all the days of their stay in power. The influenced of the so-called NPP is today expressed by the presence of their self proclaim stander bearer behind bars in The Hague, in Netherlands. Cyril Allen chaired a Group that operated as professedly human hawks that send others to rape and mutilate innocent kids whilst he and his boss “Charles Taylor” followed the battle towns’ procession like predatory carpet-beggars.
Life has just been disappointing for Cyril Allen and his partisans since the formation of their so-called NPP. In the entire life span or administration of the NPP, there was no complete definition of “Democracy” so it was not too surprising to hear Mr. Cyril Allen referring to his disqualification from contesting the upcoming Margibi county District # 2 bi-elections as mockery to Democracy and justice. Allen’s understanding of Democracy is quite different from the universal definition or function of Democracy. When I listened to Allen’s allegations, few questions came to my mind: Which “NPP” party convention elected Charles Taylor as standard bearer of the NPP? Who contested against Charles Taylor at that Convention? He was a self proclaimed standard bearer. So his “Taylor” self-proclamation introduced a new system to the NPP. Allen “being so power greedy like his boss” quickly proclaimed himself as “CHIEF”. After Allen’s self proclamation as chief, Kuku Dennis decided he could not sit back and let all the huge titles go without him getting hold of one. He “Dennis” declared himself as four star-general.
During the notorious NPP arrangement “chaired by Cyril Allen”, there was no accountability, respect for human rights and freedom of speech so where is Cyril Allen coming from with his Democracy? During his tenure as chairman of the National Patriotic Party, thousands “if not, millions” of Liberians were coerced into exile. In April of 1998, I nearly lost my head off my shoulder simply because I wrote an article entitled: Law makers, not noise makers.
NPP apologized to Liberians several times for failing to deliver some of their dishonesties.
According to article 58 of the Liberia constitution, the president of Liberia is mandated to deliver annual message to the Nation “Liberia” on the fourth working Monday of January in each year. At such time, the president is required to present his/her legislative agenda and is expected to provide a financial report for the following year. Unfortunately, Cyril Allen and his boss “Taylor” did not read that part of the constitution and so they moved on with their Democracy without accountability. What really bothers me about it now is the silences of this well know Democrat “Cyril Allen” over all of the above. Maybe all of his “then radio Liberia, or KISS FM” journalists associated with broadcasting and printing suddenly went on strike and chose to block out news about the NPP’s failure to give financial report to the Nation. Other than the above possibilities, I find it difficult to comprehend how I could have missed such an important even. In my refugee bed at the time, I surfed the web virtually and monitored almost all of the news media in Liberia on the daily basis so such an important event may not have passed without my attention. Again, what happen to Democracy and where was Cyril Allen?
Today, the democratically elected rebel leader of the NPP “war crimes criminal Charles Taylor” sits behind bars grumbling for food. Maybe he’s behind bars because he and his NPP “which was chaired by Cyril Allen” delivered justice and Democracy to some places that Democracy and justice was not needed. Allen should be referring to Edwin Snowe’s elections as mockery to Democracy. Many of us are now criticizing the Sirleaf Government for allowing someone like Allen to freely parade the streets of Monrovia whilst thousands of homeless kids roam the streets of Monrovia in search of daily bread.
The fact that Allen is making all these allegations without being dragged to hospital bed is one of the real definitions of Democracy. His “Allen’s” disqualification from the Margibi County House race is a clear and strong signal that judicial system in Liberia is now credible and will simultaneously graduate to transparency.
Prior to joining the house race for Margibi County, Allen was also heard criticizing the government on the 150 days deliverable. I almost brook my legs into my computer “which I usually used to monitor news from and about Liberia” the question that came to my mind was: What did the “Cyril Allen chaired” NPP deliver to Liberia and Liberians?
Mayhem, lies, tortures, rape and bunch of apologies?
Allen should be should be ashamed of himself whenever he mentioned the word “Democracy”. This is a man who headed the National Patriotic Party which did not live up to even a fractional part of the tenure of democracy. Now he comes out portraying himself as one who really understands the word Democracy. Where was Allen when his NPP securities flogged cllr. Francis Johnson Morris when she served as directress of the Catholic Justice and Piece Commission? Where was he when Cllr. Tiawan Gonglo was brutalized by “NPP” government securities? All of the above and many more were done without the perpetrators facing the due process of the law “if it ever existed in their arrangement” right in the face of Allen. Cyril Allen witnessed and contributed to the above but did not question the existence of Democracy until now. He and his many collaborators are yet to go to court for their actions against humanity.
The truth of the matter is that Cyril Allen wants to draw our attention away from what we “Liberians” should be telling the Ellen led government about him. Allen is a rich man and he knows that we “Liberians” are aware of this. He amassed wealth for himself from petroleum products and scrap materials from LPRC when he served as Director. He operated a logging company (MTC an auxiliary to OTC) in the Bomiwood forest in Lower Lofa (now Gbarpolu County), Cape Mount and Bomi Counties. In all of these operations, he was only accountable to his boss “Ghankay” instead of national government since infact there was not one. We “as well as Mr. Allen” know that during the NPP led government tenure, Mr. Taylor was the government and Allen, Kuku Dennis and the entire sycophantic cheering squad of Taylor were the Liberian people.
Apart from being the chairman of the NPP, Mr. Allen also served as chairman of the National Investment Commission where he overtly took liberty of redirecting investment funds “that were accrued” into his personal bank account in Nigeria and other parts of Europe. After overtly looting the economy of Liberia, he has come back to Liberia demanding to be rewarded as representative for a county that he has never resided in for a complete week, what a shame? Let me be very quick to inform Mr. Allen that legislature is not money making place as he may be thinking. Mr. Allen, please be contended with what you already have since infact we are not demanding you to return them to Liberia. Be grateful and appreciative for now by going into the private sector. Make investment with the Liberian people’s money and provide job opportunity for those homeless Liberians that are affected by your economic looting. You can do it and we know you have the financial capability. Go private or you shout up and sit down. Liberia doesn’t really need you in public life now.
Sam K Zinnah
Liberian Student
Delaware State, USA
The National Patriotic Party “which self proclaim chief, Cyril Allen led” was not operated as a political party but rather as a notorious form of pro-paganist and satanic group or arrangement that terrorized, dehumanized, denied children of their childhood immunity and inflicted mayhem upon the entire sub region all the days of their stay in power. The influenced of the so-called NPP is today expressed by the presence of their self proclaim stander bearer behind bars in The Hague, in Netherlands. Cyril Allen chaired a Group that operated as professedly human hawks that send others to rape and mutilate innocent kids whilst he and his boss “Charles Taylor” followed the battle towns’ procession like predatory carpet-beggars.
Life has just been disappointing for Cyril Allen and his partisans since the formation of their so-called NPP. In the entire life span or administration of the NPP, there was no complete definition of “Democracy” so it was not too surprising to hear Mr. Cyril Allen referring to his disqualification from contesting the upcoming Margibi county District # 2 bi-elections as mockery to Democracy and justice. Allen’s understanding of Democracy is quite different from the universal definition or function of Democracy. When I listened to Allen’s allegations, few questions came to my mind: Which “NPP” party convention elected Charles Taylor as standard bearer of the NPP? Who contested against Charles Taylor at that Convention? He was a self proclaimed standard bearer. So his “Taylor” self-proclamation introduced a new system to the NPP. Allen “being so power greedy like his boss” quickly proclaimed himself as “CHIEF”. After Allen’s self proclamation as chief, Kuku Dennis decided he could not sit back and let all the huge titles go without him getting hold of one. He “Dennis” declared himself as four star-general.
During the notorious NPP arrangement “chaired by Cyril Allen”, there was no accountability, respect for human rights and freedom of speech so where is Cyril Allen coming from with his Democracy? During his tenure as chairman of the National Patriotic Party, thousands “if not, millions” of Liberians were coerced into exile. In April of 1998, I nearly lost my head off my shoulder simply because I wrote an article entitled: Law makers, not noise makers.
NPP apologized to Liberians several times for failing to deliver some of their dishonesties.
According to article 58 of the Liberia constitution, the president of Liberia is mandated to deliver annual message to the Nation “Liberia” on the fourth working Monday of January in each year. At such time, the president is required to present his/her legislative agenda and is expected to provide a financial report for the following year. Unfortunately, Cyril Allen and his boss “Taylor” did not read that part of the constitution and so they moved on with their Democracy without accountability. What really bothers me about it now is the silences of this well know Democrat “Cyril Allen” over all of the above. Maybe all of his “then radio Liberia, or KISS FM” journalists associated with broadcasting and printing suddenly went on strike and chose to block out news about the NPP’s failure to give financial report to the Nation. Other than the above possibilities, I find it difficult to comprehend how I could have missed such an important even. In my refugee bed at the time, I surfed the web virtually and monitored almost all of the news media in Liberia on the daily basis so such an important event may not have passed without my attention. Again, what happen to Democracy and where was Cyril Allen?
Today, the democratically elected rebel leader of the NPP “war crimes criminal Charles Taylor” sits behind bars grumbling for food. Maybe he’s behind bars because he and his NPP “which was chaired by Cyril Allen” delivered justice and Democracy to some places that Democracy and justice was not needed. Allen should be referring to Edwin Snowe’s elections as mockery to Democracy. Many of us are now criticizing the Sirleaf Government for allowing someone like Allen to freely parade the streets of Monrovia whilst thousands of homeless kids roam the streets of Monrovia in search of daily bread.
The fact that Allen is making all these allegations without being dragged to hospital bed is one of the real definitions of Democracy. His “Allen’s” disqualification from the Margibi County House race is a clear and strong signal that judicial system in Liberia is now credible and will simultaneously graduate to transparency.
Prior to joining the house race for Margibi County, Allen was also heard criticizing the government on the 150 days deliverable. I almost brook my legs into my computer “which I usually used to monitor news from and about Liberia” the question that came to my mind was: What did the “Cyril Allen chaired” NPP deliver to Liberia and Liberians?
Mayhem, lies, tortures, rape and bunch of apologies?
Allen should be should be ashamed of himself whenever he mentioned the word “Democracy”. This is a man who headed the National Patriotic Party which did not live up to even a fractional part of the tenure of democracy. Now he comes out portraying himself as one who really understands the word Democracy. Where was Allen when his NPP securities flogged cllr. Francis Johnson Morris when she served as directress of the Catholic Justice and Piece Commission? Where was he when Cllr. Tiawan Gonglo was brutalized by “NPP” government securities? All of the above and many more were done without the perpetrators facing the due process of the law “if it ever existed in their arrangement” right in the face of Allen. Cyril Allen witnessed and contributed to the above but did not question the existence of Democracy until now. He and his many collaborators are yet to go to court for their actions against humanity.
The truth of the matter is that Cyril Allen wants to draw our attention away from what we “Liberians” should be telling the Ellen led government about him. Allen is a rich man and he knows that we “Liberians” are aware of this. He amassed wealth for himself from petroleum products and scrap materials from LPRC when he served as Director. He operated a logging company (MTC an auxiliary to OTC) in the Bomiwood forest in Lower Lofa (now Gbarpolu County), Cape Mount and Bomi Counties. In all of these operations, he was only accountable to his boss “Ghankay” instead of national government since infact there was not one. We “as well as Mr. Allen” know that during the NPP led government tenure, Mr. Taylor was the government and Allen, Kuku Dennis and the entire sycophantic cheering squad of Taylor were the Liberian people.
Apart from being the chairman of the NPP, Mr. Allen also served as chairman of the National Investment Commission where he overtly took liberty of redirecting investment funds “that were accrued” into his personal bank account in Nigeria and other parts of Europe. After overtly looting the economy of Liberia, he has come back to Liberia demanding to be rewarded as representative for a county that he has never resided in for a complete week, what a shame? Let me be very quick to inform Mr. Allen that legislature is not money making place as he may be thinking. Mr. Allen, please be contended with what you already have since infact we are not demanding you to return them to Liberia. Be grateful and appreciative for now by going into the private sector. Make investment with the Liberian people’s money and provide job opportunity for those homeless Liberians that are affected by your economic looting. You can do it and we know you have the financial capability. Go private or you shout up and sit down. Liberia doesn’t really need you in public life now.
Sam K Zinnah
Liberian Student
Delaware State, USA
Thursday, August 03, 2006
My memories about home
Like many refugees or exiles, I find it very difficult to dismiss memories of my home. When one flees a war zone, all that one often takes are memories of painful occurrences and otherwise. Many store these memories as images of the world left behind. Some keep them as stories worth telling later on. Images or memories followed us wherever we go and can define and shape our dreams and choices. Sometimes too, the paths we choose in life are strewn with discarded images of our past and our conversations with others are colored by our past experiences.
I grew up experiencing poverty. Many days, I went to bed hungry or felt asleep shivering from the cold. Some blessed individuals felt sorry for me and had to go against their way to stretch helping hands to me. Poverty, however, remains a harsh reality for people who are plagued by civil war and other humiliating problems. I was forced to flee home in search of security in another country. My thoughts were enticed by promises of a better life in refuge or another country. I was among hundreds of Liberians that sailed to Ghana aboard the famous leaking Nigerian vessel “M/V Bulk challenge” as a result of the outbreak of violence amongst factional leaders in Monrovia on April 6, 1996. The overcrowded refugee camp of Buduburam and Sanzulee became a breeding ground for poverty. My life in refuge became filled with disappointments.
A case in point, I want to remember my home “Liberia”, one of the most visible symbols of my lifestyle in a way that may seem intangible. Prior to the rebel incursions, I visited lower Lofa County almost every vacation. When I did, I passed through several villages and thousands of inhabitants, men and women, young and old, farmers and wine tippers, hunters and fisher men walked along unpaved roads with bear feet carrying their life possessions in homemade bags. They disappeared in mud houses covered with tithes. It is not long before these wine tippers, farmers and hunters find themselves back on the unpaved roads with their spirit very different from the ones they had gone with. Often, I stopped, looked, greeted and introduced myself as the last son of the paramount chief of bopolu. Bopolu is the provincial capital of Gbapolu county “one of the most recent created counties in Liberia”
There are so many memories that capture my imaginations on the daily basis. When a lot has been said about my memories, my home still remains questions to which I must find answers. My imaginations brings to me not only painful memories to think about. There is also a problem of reconciliation. This beckons a number of questions:
1. Why are there so many people roaming the streets of Monrovia in search of food or survival while others ride or drive flashy cars?
2. How do young people, farmers, wine tippers and ordinary people view the aftermath of the war?
3. What social constrains did the war abandoned?
All that am presently left with is memories about my home. I pray that the lord “almighty” shower his blessings upon my home.
By: Sam K zinnah
Delaware State
USA
Liberia former President “but fugitive and controversy”
After almost 160 years of independence, Liberia is yet to enjoy consultation of former president. Recently, Liberia came close to getting a former president but the opportunity was swept out like hurricane. In 2003, the fugitive and former president (Charles Taylor) was forced into exile in a peace deal that had the support of African leaders, the United States and the United Nations. Before being coerce into exile, Taylor narrowly escaped arrest in Ghana. A 17 counts of war crimes “and crimes against humanity” indictment was unsealed against Taylor while attending a peace talk in Accra, Ghana. The fugitive and former president continued to enjoy life in his calabar vacation home until lately when international pressure began mounting on his host, “Nigeria” and the infant Liberian government led by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. As the old saying goes; “there is an end to every good thing”. This proverb sounded very loud and sharp when President Sirleaf made her final decision to trade-in the fugitive and controversy” former president Charles Taylor for development aid for the country that was devastated by him “Taylor” and his bunch of sycophants. President Sirleaf’s decision to bring Charles Taylor to justice was again re-emphasized when she recently address the U.S. Congress in Washington DC. On March 21, 2006, President Sirleaf met with U.S. president George Walker Bush who again stressed the need to bring fugitive and controversy former president “Charles Taylor” to justice or take justice to him wherever he “Taylor” will decide to take delivery of his long overdue war crimes package.
Charles Taylor’s host, Nigeria’s obassanjo, has been playing delay tactics in handling over Charles Taylor. Up to present, Obassanjo is yet to make public a copy of the deal under which Charles Taylor was granted asylum in Nigeria. For those of us that have done some pivotal analysis on Charles Taylor’s crony behaviors over the yeas, are fully aware that Taylor covertly requested Obasanjo to come to his aid for fear of being eaten by Sakou Konneh’s LURD forces that had closed in on Charles Taylor and his militias (at the time). Obasanjo’s continues delay tactics to hand over fugitive and former president Charles Taylor is not a matter of facts, but simply of a “feeling” which may not have any legitimate place in the efforts to address the relevant political problems in Liberia and the neighboring countries. His “Obasanjo’s” kind of emotion driven aberration is a mojor factor of mass political behavior motivated by pathological use of “I feel” as a substitute for rational behavior. I some times wonder how Obasanjo feels about the mass killing of Nigerian soldiers in the wicked hands of the very Charles Taylor that he’s hosting and playing delay tactics in sending him to face justice. The notion of a democracy of “feeling” as a distinct from reasoning is a potentially fatal contradiction in terms, as a case of what happen in sierra Loene, part of Guinea and Cote de’ Voire expressed a large overdose of feeling but virtually no exercise of reasoning.
Years back, the world watched mothers “with scarcely strength to support themselves” carried famished and malnourished infants in their arms and died with them. Many fell victim to stray bullets & cold whilst others to intense thirst and hunger simply because Charles Taylor wanted to enrich himself @ the expense of those he claimed to be liberating.
The decision “by president Sirleaf” to bye-pass the Taylor dominated legislature and take the controversy case to the bosses is a very smart move. Her recent decision has cause panic among Taylor creations. Recently, three die-hard supporters of Fugitive and controversy former president Charles Taylor were arrested in Monrovia for having covert meeting at Jowel Howard’s congo town resident. Those arrested were: Sando Johnson, former Bomi county senator under Charles Taylor, Roland Duo, former rebel general under Charles Taylor, David Norris and Emma Smallwood. They were detained for atleast eight hours before being released by NSA in Monrovia. Charles Taylor is now trying to use every available connection he has with the present legislature to block his hand over to the UN backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone. Reports also indicate that some strange men “allegedly send by Charles Taylor from his calabal vacation home” are in Monrovia to take on some covert operations.
Recently, a vacancy was created in the Hague, the Netherlands, by Slobodan Milosevic who was pronounced dead in his reward cell. This vacancy serves as a strong signal for Charles Taylor who many believe is the next person in queue for Milovesevic’s vacant room. The indescribable regime of Charles Taylor glows like necular waste. The only difference between Charles Taylor and Adolph Hitler is the target.
After almost 160 years of independence, Liberia is yet to enjoy consultation of former president. Recently, Liberia came close to getting a former president but the opportunity was swept out like hurricane. In 2003, the fugitive and former president (Charles Taylor) was forced into exile in a peace deal that had the support of African leaders, the United States and the United Nations. Before being coerce into exile, Taylor narrowly escaped arrest in Ghana. A 17 counts of war crimes “and crimes against humanity” indictment was unsealed against Taylor while attending a peace talk in Accra, Ghana. The fugitive and former president continued to enjoy life in his calabar vacation home until lately when international pressure began mounting on his host, “Nigeria” and the infant Liberian government led by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. As the old saying goes; “there is an end to every good thing”. This proverb sounded very loud and sharp when President Sirleaf made her final decision to trade-in the fugitive and controversy” former president Charles Taylor for development aid for the country that was devastated by him “Taylor” and his bunch of sycophants. President Sirleaf’s decision to bring Charles Taylor to justice was again re-emphasized when she recently address the U.S. Congress in Washington DC. On March 21, 2006, President Sirleaf met with U.S. president George Walker Bush who again stressed the need to bring fugitive and controversy former president “Charles Taylor” to justice or take justice to him wherever he “Taylor” will decide to take delivery of his long overdue war crimes package.
Charles Taylor’s host, Nigeria’s obassanjo, has been playing delay tactics in handling over Charles Taylor. Up to present, Obassanjo is yet to make public a copy of the deal under which Charles Taylor was granted asylum in Nigeria. For those of us that have done some pivotal analysis on Charles Taylor’s crony behaviors over the yeas, are fully aware that Taylor covertly requested Obasanjo to come to his aid for fear of being eaten by Sakou Konneh’s LURD forces that had closed in on Charles Taylor and his militias (at the time). Obasanjo’s continues delay tactics to hand over fugitive and former president Charles Taylor is not a matter of facts, but simply of a “feeling” which may not have any legitimate place in the efforts to address the relevant political problems in Liberia and the neighboring countries. His “Obasanjo’s” kind of emotion driven aberration is a mojor factor of mass political behavior motivated by pathological use of “I feel” as a substitute for rational behavior. I some times wonder how Obasanjo feels about the mass killing of Nigerian soldiers in the wicked hands of the very Charles Taylor that he’s hosting and playing delay tactics in sending him to face justice. The notion of a democracy of “feeling” as a distinct from reasoning is a potentially fatal contradiction in terms, as a case of what happen in sierra Loene, part of Guinea and Cote de’ Voire expressed a large overdose of feeling but virtually no exercise of reasoning.
Years back, the world watched mothers “with scarcely strength to support themselves” carried famished and malnourished infants in their arms and died with them. Many fell victim to stray bullets & cold whilst others to intense thirst and hunger simply because Charles Taylor wanted to enrich himself @ the expense of those he claimed to be liberating.
The decision “by president Sirleaf” to bye-pass the Taylor dominated legislature and take the controversy case to the bosses is a very smart move. Her recent decision has cause panic among Taylor creations. Recently, three die-hard supporters of Fugitive and controversy former president Charles Taylor were arrested in Monrovia for having covert meeting at Jowel Howard’s congo town resident. Those arrested were: Sando Johnson, former Bomi county senator under Charles Taylor, Roland Duo, former rebel general under Charles Taylor, David Norris and Emma Smallwood. They were detained for atleast eight hours before being released by NSA in Monrovia. Charles Taylor is now trying to use every available connection he has with the present legislature to block his hand over to the UN backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone. Reports also indicate that some strange men “allegedly send by Charles Taylor from his calabal vacation home” are in Monrovia to take on some covert operations.
Recently, a vacancy was created in the Hague, the Netherlands, by Slobodan Milosevic who was pronounced dead in his reward cell. This vacancy serves as a strong signal for Charles Taylor who many believe is the next person in queue for Milovesevic’s vacant room. The indescribable regime of Charles Taylor glows like necular waste. The only difference between Charles Taylor and Adolph Hitler is the target.
Liberia former President “but fugitive and controversy”
After almost 160 years of independence, Liberia is yet to enjoy consultation of former president. Recently, Liberia came close to getting a former president but the opportunity was swept out like hurricane. In 2003, the fugitive and former president (Charles Taylor) was forced into exile in a peace deal that had the support of African leaders, the United States and the United Nations. Before being coerce into exile, Taylor narrowly escaped arrest in Ghana. A 17 counts of war crimes “and crimes against humanity” indictment was unsealed against Taylor while attending a peace talk in Accra, Ghana. The fugitive and former president continued to enjoy life in his calabar vacation home until lately when international pressure began mounting on his host, “Nigeria” and the infant Liberian government led by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. As the old saying goes; “there is an end to every good thing”. This proverb sounded very loud and sharp when President Sirleaf made her final decision to trade-in the fugitive and controversy” former president Charles Taylor for development aid for the country that was devastated by him “Taylor” and his bunch of sycophants. President Sirleaf’s decision to bring Charles Taylor to justice was again re-emphasized when she recently address the U.S. Congress in Washington DC. On March 21, 2006, President Sirleaf met with U.S. president George Walker Bush who again stressed the need to bring fugitive and controversy former president “Charles Taylor” to justice or take justice to him wherever he “Taylor” will decide to take delivery of his long overdue war crimes package.
Charles Taylor’s host, Nigeria’s obassanjo, has been playing delay tactics in handling over Charles Taylor. Up to present, Obassanjo is yet to make public a copy of the deal under which Charles Taylor was granted asylum in Nigeria. For those of us that have done some pivotal analysis on Charles Taylor’s crony behaviors over the yeas, are fully aware that Taylor covertly requested Obasanjo to come to his aid for fear of being eaten by Sakou Konneh’s LURD forces that had closed in on Charles Taylor and his militias (at the time). Obasanjo’s continues delay tactics to hand over fugitive and former president Charles Taylor is not a matter of facts, but simply of a “feeling” which may not have any legitimate place in the efforts to address the relevant political problems in Liberia and the neighboring countries. His “Obasanjo’s” kind of emotion driven aberration is a mojor factor of mass political behavior motivated by pathological use of “I feel” as a substitute for rational behavior. I some times wonder how Obasanjo feels about the mass killing of Nigerian soldiers in the wicked hands of the very Charles Taylor that he’s hosting and playing delay tactics in sending him to face justice. The notion of a democracy of “feeling” as a distinct from reasoning is a potentially fatal contradiction in terms, as a case of what happen in sierra Loene, part of Guinea and Cote de’ Voire expressed a large overdose of feeling but virtually no exercise of reasoning.
Years back, the world watched mothers “with scarcely strength to support themselves” carried famished and malnourished infants in their arms and died with them. Many fell victim to stray bullets & cold whilst others to intense thirst and hunger simply because Charles Taylor wanted to enrich himself @ the expense of those he claimed to be liberating.
The decision “by president Sirleaf” to bye-pass the Taylor dominated legislature and take the controversy case to the bosses is a very smart move. Her recent decision has cause panic among Taylor creations. Recently, three die-hard supporters of Fugitive and controversy former president Charles Taylor were arrested in Monrovia for having covert meeting at Jowel Howard’s congo town resident. Those arrested were: Sando Johnson, former Bomi county senator under Charles Taylor, Roland Duo, former rebel general under Charles Taylor, David Norris and Emma Smallwood. They were detained for atleast eight hours before being released by NSA in Monrovia. Charles Taylor is now trying to use every available connection he has with the present legislature to block his hand over to the UN backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone. Reports also indicate that some strange men “allegedly send by Charles Taylor from his calabal vacation home” are in Monrovia to take on some covert operations.
Recently, a vacancy was created in the Hague, the Netherlands, by Slobodan Milosevic who was pronounced dead in his reward cell. This vacancy serves as a strong signal for Charles Taylor who many believe is the next person in queue for Milovesevic’s vacant room. The indescribable regime of Charles Taylor glows like necular waste. The only difference between Charles Taylor and Adolph Hitler is the target.
After almost 160 years of independence, Liberia is yet to enjoy consultation of former president. Recently, Liberia came close to getting a former president but the opportunity was swept out like hurricane. In 2003, the fugitive and former president (Charles Taylor) was forced into exile in a peace deal that had the support of African leaders, the United States and the United Nations. Before being coerce into exile, Taylor narrowly escaped arrest in Ghana. A 17 counts of war crimes “and crimes against humanity” indictment was unsealed against Taylor while attending a peace talk in Accra, Ghana. The fugitive and former president continued to enjoy life in his calabar vacation home until lately when international pressure began mounting on his host, “Nigeria” and the infant Liberian government led by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. As the old saying goes; “there is an end to every good thing”. This proverb sounded very loud and sharp when President Sirleaf made her final decision to trade-in the fugitive and controversy” former president Charles Taylor for development aid for the country that was devastated by him “Taylor” and his bunch of sycophants. President Sirleaf’s decision to bring Charles Taylor to justice was again re-emphasized when she recently address the U.S. Congress in Washington DC. On March 21, 2006, President Sirleaf met with U.S. president George Walker Bush who again stressed the need to bring fugitive and controversy former president “Charles Taylor” to justice or take justice to him wherever he “Taylor” will decide to take delivery of his long overdue war crimes package.
Charles Taylor’s host, Nigeria’s obassanjo, has been playing delay tactics in handling over Charles Taylor. Up to present, Obassanjo is yet to make public a copy of the deal under which Charles Taylor was granted asylum in Nigeria. For those of us that have done some pivotal analysis on Charles Taylor’s crony behaviors over the yeas, are fully aware that Taylor covertly requested Obasanjo to come to his aid for fear of being eaten by Sakou Konneh’s LURD forces that had closed in on Charles Taylor and his militias (at the time). Obasanjo’s continues delay tactics to hand over fugitive and former president Charles Taylor is not a matter of facts, but simply of a “feeling” which may not have any legitimate place in the efforts to address the relevant political problems in Liberia and the neighboring countries. His “Obasanjo’s” kind of emotion driven aberration is a mojor factor of mass political behavior motivated by pathological use of “I feel” as a substitute for rational behavior. I some times wonder how Obasanjo feels about the mass killing of Nigerian soldiers in the wicked hands of the very Charles Taylor that he’s hosting and playing delay tactics in sending him to face justice. The notion of a democracy of “feeling” as a distinct from reasoning is a potentially fatal contradiction in terms, as a case of what happen in sierra Loene, part of Guinea and Cote de’ Voire expressed a large overdose of feeling but virtually no exercise of reasoning.
Years back, the world watched mothers “with scarcely strength to support themselves” carried famished and malnourished infants in their arms and died with them. Many fell victim to stray bullets & cold whilst others to intense thirst and hunger simply because Charles Taylor wanted to enrich himself @ the expense of those he claimed to be liberating.
The decision “by president Sirleaf” to bye-pass the Taylor dominated legislature and take the controversy case to the bosses is a very smart move. Her recent decision has cause panic among Taylor creations. Recently, three die-hard supporters of Fugitive and controversy former president Charles Taylor were arrested in Monrovia for having covert meeting at Jowel Howard’s congo town resident. Those arrested were: Sando Johnson, former Bomi county senator under Charles Taylor, Roland Duo, former rebel general under Charles Taylor, David Norris and Emma Smallwood. They were detained for atleast eight hours before being released by NSA in Monrovia. Charles Taylor is now trying to use every available connection he has with the present legislature to block his hand over to the UN backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone. Reports also indicate that some strange men “allegedly send by Charles Taylor from his calabal vacation home” are in Monrovia to take on some covert operations.
Recently, a vacancy was created in the Hague, the Netherlands, by Slobodan Milosevic who was pronounced dead in his reward cell. This vacancy serves as a strong signal for Charles Taylor who many believe is the next person in queue for Milovesevic’s vacant room. The indescribable regime of Charles Taylor glows like necular waste. The only difference between Charles Taylor and Adolph Hitler is the target.
“God’s willing…” he came back but as a prisonerMarch 29, 2006 was the day that former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor never dreamed about few years ago. On this day in Liberia, the city of Monrovia was in a total shock. The ocean was calm and quiet. Even the green forest surrounding the Roberts International airport could not believe the scene of the day. The only disturbance was the den of dozens of heavily armed UNMIL soldiers on guard at the RIA. The positions of the UNMIL soldiers indicated that something very important was happening not only in the history of Liberia, but Africa as a whole. Suddenly, the weather in Monrovia turned into a rainy cloud.
Moments later, a Nigerian jet hit the bumpy runway of the Roberts International Airport. The spirits from the great beyond and residents of RIA and surroundings took positions to find out what was being delivered to Liberia aboard the giant jet. Other spectators that did not have access to radio thought the jet was delivering some humanitarian aid. They stood patiently as the unfolding events took place. The automatic doors of the jet dropped down. The dictator clad in a creamy Nigerian agbada style suite rose from the depths of the jet to the doorway. Bystanders witnessed the man who has reign so much havoc on the West African region being handcuff. Among the bystanders present was one of the dictator’s victims in person of Tiawon Gonglo, who now serve as Solicitor General in the fledging Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf government.
Tiawon, a human rights activist on April 29, 2002 almost lost his life to the wicked hands of Charles Taylor and his blood thirsty armed men. It was Tiawon who read Charles Taylor his Mirada right as the former dictator waggled his head before being cuffed by UNMIL personal. Thereafter, he was hopped on a chopper to Freetown, Sierra Leone where he’s expected to face trial for eleven counts of crime against humanity in the United Nation backed court.
In august of 2003, before he was forced into exile in the northern Nigerian city of Calabar, Charles Taylor waived his white handkerchief to well wishers and said: “…God’s willing’ I’ll be back” but Taylor did not tell God or his well wishers how exactly he would be back, weather as a former Liberian president, free Liberian citizen or a war crimes prisoner. He left the options with God to choose from.
As the old Biblical saying goes, “be careful what you pray for and be specific in your prayers”. Ironically, Charles Taylor was not specific in his request to God and so God did his optional selection based on Charles Taylor’s human right records. His prayer to be back to Liberia was answered but as a prisoner.
On March 3, 2003 the UN backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone signed a 17 count indictments (now 11) alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious crimes relating to his support in neighboring Sierra Leone. The indictment was confirmed by the trial chamber on March 7, 2003 but was kept under seal. On June 4, 2003 the indictment was unsealed whilst Charles Taylor was attending one of his extravagant peace talks in Ghana. He narrowly escaped the arrest and hastily returned to Liberia.
And so on March 29, 2006, Charles Taylor the extravagant, clueless dictator who name became a lexicon in West African politics for one and half decades was caught up in the web of his doing. He finally realized that life truly is a network of interconnected organisms which we human play a steering role. Charles Taylor now sit behind bars in limbo.
Sam K Zinnah
Delaware State
USA
Open letter to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Few months ago, we listened to your campaign promises whilst we sat in front of TVs and all other means of communications in the Diaspora. One of the promises that even my illiterate grandmother still remembers was the promise to crack down or weed out one of Liberia’s most popular political words “CORRUPTION”. July sixteen marks six months since the official seating of your Unity Party led government. I’ve been following events and activities of your leadership. From my own observation and analysis, there seems no really crack down or weed out of corruption as emphasized in your campaign. What I’ve really observed in the past six months is nothing than recycling of the same old crooks and rouges. Some have been fired and gone free whilst others are transferred from one place to another.
Couple of weeks ago, I went on expressing my anger and frustration in several online newspapers about the newly commission (Truth and reconciliation commission/ TRC). In that expression, I urged your government to reactivate the extradition treaty between the United States and the Government of Liberia in order to discourage criminals, corrupt individuals and human rights violators from committing crimes and escaping to the United States but I’ve come to realized that even those corrupt individuals/ officials and other human right violators that are overtly parading the streets of Monrovia are yet to take delivery of justice.
I understand that we took fourteen years or more to physically destroy Liberia and that the reconstruction of Liberia is not going to be an even but rather a process but that should not be used as an excuse to allow corrupt individuals or officials to go with impunity. The main objective for political governance in post-war Liberia “in my opinion” should be to secure democracy by installing checks and balances which have been absent throughout Liberia’s long history, in our political system in such a way so that no specific group or class of people will no longer usurp so much power and wield such extraordinary influence over the fate of the majority. In the “recently published” ECOWAS investigative reports on corrupt individuals and officials, several big names or titles surfaced but there seems to be nothing happening to punish those individuals and officials. instead, some of them are in the process of being nominated to higher positions. Those corrupt officials/ individuals, human right violators who looted our economy and took away our parental and childhood immunity are being referred to as: senators, representatives, speakers, former NTGL officials and many other big titles. This is sending the wrong signals to our feature leaders in Liberia. As the old saying goes: The title of a goat, should not stop the owner from selling it.
During your campaign, you also promise economic reform. The objective of reform in the economic sector should be to ensure accountability, reinforce support for the political system, promote transparency, combat corruption and protect the interest of Liberians. The first and foremost in this regard will be to rigidly crack down on corrupt officials. Send them to court, investigate them and let them serve their terms if convicted. Development will never come to Liberia if we continue to allow corrupt officials to go with impunity. Corruption is very easy to investigate in Liberia. We don’t even need to invite forensic auditors in some cases. ie; like the case of Edwin Snow, how did Snowe own a multi million dollars bank account in Lebanon, own many flashy cars and build so many expensive houses on a mega Liberian salary?
In the case of Samuel Wlue, he overtly told reporters that he was paid USD $49.00 (fourty-nine dollars) working as commerce minister in Liberia. How did he build a USD $300.000.00 home in Newcastle county in Delaware State, build and ran a night club in Monrovia and send USD $4000.00 to his wife in Delaware “USA” for 25 months?
In the case of Guyde Bryant, he overtly admitted withdrawing public money for his personal use. What more evidence do you want before you can start placing these public criminals in queue to take delivery of justice? Your recent statement that “enough documentary evidence should be provided before prosecution of alleged corrupt officials begins” has brought severe headache to me over the past days.
In the court of law, the accused defends his/her self by providing documentary or human proofs/witnesses and that process is usually determined by the court and not the president.
If your Unity Party-led government wants to attract investors, these public criminals must be prosecuted and script of those stolen properties. There is no need to waste time trying to defend them. Liberia may never be able to retrieve Edwine Snowe’s voodoo wealth from Lebanon simply because a lot of time has been wasted on dragging him to court. I sat in front of my TV last night and witnessed Snowe’s trust/Bank going into flames to the wicked dust of Israeli bombings in Beirut.
Please president Sirleaf, do not start to defend these public criminals. Send them over to the court and let the court decide weather the allegations against them needs more documentary evidence. Please keep out of the judicial procedures.
Sam K Zinnah
Liberian Student
Delaware State, USA
The plight of homeless Liberian children in Senegal
Children are valuable gifts from God to mankind which no amount of money can buy. When God gives us children, he expect us to play our role well by providing provision, protection, discipline etc. if these children are to become better future leaders or citizens. But unfortunately, Liberia was became a dancing and breeding ground for poverty and the devil over the years with war all over in Liberia and neighboring Sierra Leone, Ivory coast and parts of Guinea. The fourteen year civil war in Liberia forced thousands of Liberians into refuge in search of security and better life. In the process of escaping to neighboring countries “from Liberia” many children lost their parents to stray bullets, hunger and other diseases thus leaving them with limited options to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival and security whilst in refuge. Some successfully escaped to Senegal but were abandoned in the streets of major cities in Senegal begging for their daily bread as if they were from nowhere.
Having felt the need as Christians, a group of three Evangelist came together to establish the Children Souls Ministry in Senegal in 2000 with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh as the executive Director. The Children Souls Ministry is a non-for-profit Christian humanitarian organization which funding comes directly from friends, sympathizers, well wishers, sponsors and concepts organized by the children geared towards supporting themselves in refuge.
According to Evangelist Kpeh, The Children Souls Ministry’s objective is to take as many children “out of the streets” as possible. Evangelist Kpeh said his ministry has been involved in training, educating and sheltering homeless and abandon Liberian children in Senegal. He said his ministry does not want these homeless children to feel neglected by society but to see them feel part and parcel of society and to become better citizens who will return to Liberia to contribute to the reconstruction process. Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and his hard working staffs are working tirelessly to reunite these children with their parents “if they have” but unfortunately, most of the children are abandoned and don’t even know their parents and well about. The initial goal of the Children Souls Ministry was to cater to twenty children between the ages of five and fifteen years but because of the growing number of homeless children that are kicking at the Ministry’s doors, it has become almost impossible to say no to any of the children that hits the door with their personal belongings in plastic bags.
In an online conversation with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and Evangelist Titus Sebo, few touching and heart breaking questions was posted to this author. Evangelist Kpeh asked: Have you ever held a dying baby in your arms? Have you ever seen a mother in tears because she cannot look after her child or children? Have you ever watched as children beg for the very things that we throw out? Have you ever realized that you could or someone could be you? Have you ever care enough to make a difference in someone’s life?
Both Evangelists Melvin Kpeh and Titus Sebo re-emphasized that their Ministry “The Children Souls Ministry” came into existence for the sole purpose of saving the lives of refugees and abandoned children that are left in the streets of Senegal to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival, security and education. He said some of these children are abandoned due the parents’ inability or unavailability to cater to them. Evg. Kpeh said as Christian he cannot only worship Jesus and continued to see homeless and helpless children died in the streets simply because there’s no one to cater to them. He said the vision of his Ministry is to see these children stand up and say we are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today. The Ministry also wants to see these children stand for the Biblical truths where other generations have failed. According to the executive director, since the establishment of the Ministry in 2000, they have moved from one building to another due to the Ministry’s inability to meet up with rent, utility bills and capacity to accommodate the heavy influx of homeless children. Due to the above reasons, the executive Director of the Children Souls Ministry “Evangelist Melvin Kpeh” is urging all Bible believing Christians to come to the aid of these homeless and abandon children.
For donations, contact the below address:
The Children Souls Ministry
B.P. 25134, Darkar Fann
Senegal
Tel: +221-537-3144
The plight of homeless Liberian children in Senegal
Children are valuable gifts from God to mankind which no amount of money can buy. When God gives us children, he expect us to play our role well by providing provision, protection, discipline etc. if these children are to become better future leaders or citizens. But unfortunately, Liberia was became a dancing and breeding ground for poverty and the devil over the years with war all over in Liberia and neighboring Sierra Leone, Ivory coast and parts of Guinea. The fourteen year civil war in Liberia forced thousands of Liberians into refuge in search of security and better life. In the process of escaping to neighboring countries “from Liberia” many children lost their parents to stray bullets, hunger and other diseases thus leaving them with limited options to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival and security whilst in refuge. Some successfully escaped to Senegal but were abandoned in the streets of major cities in Senegal begging for their daily bread as if they were from nowhere.
Having felt the need as Christians, a group of three Evangelist came together to establish the Children Souls Ministry in Senegal in 2000 with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh as the executive Director. The Children Souls Ministry is a non-for-profit Christian humanitarian organization which funding comes directly from friends, sympathizers, well wishers, sponsors and concepts organized by the children geared towards supporting themselves in refuge.
According to Evangelist Kpeh, The Children Souls Ministry’s objective is to take as many children “out of the streets” as possible. Evangelist Kpeh said his ministry has been involved in training, educating and sheltering homeless and abandon Liberian children in Senegal. He said his ministry does not want these homeless children to feel neglected by society but to see them feel part and parcel of society and to become better citizens who will return to Liberia to contribute to the reconstruction process. Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and his hard working staffs are working tirelessly to reunite these children with their parents “if they have” but unfortunately, most of the children are abandoned and don’t even know their parents and well about. The initial goal of the Children Souls Ministry was to cater to twenty children between the ages of five and fifteen years but because of the growing number of homeless children that are kicking at the Ministry’s doors, it has become almost impossible to say no to any of the children that hits the door with their personal belongings in plastic bags.
In an online conversation with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and Evangelist Titus Sebo, few touching and heart breaking questions was posted to this author. Evangelist Kpeh asked: Have you ever held a dying baby in your arms? Have you ever seen a mother in tears because she cannot look after her child or children? Have you ever watched as children beg for the very things that we throw out? Have you ever realized that you could or someone could be you? Have you ever care enough to make a difference in someone’s life?
Both Evangelists Melvin Kpeh and Titus Sebo re-emphasized that their Ministry “The Children Souls Ministry” came into existence for the sole purpose of saving the lives of refugees and abandoned children that are left in the streets of Senegal to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival, security and education. He said some of these children are abandoned due the parents’ inability or unavailability to cater to them. Evg. Kpeh said as Christian he cannot only worship Jesus and continued to see homeless and helpless children died in the streets simply because there’s no one to cater to them. He said the vision of his Ministry is to see these children stand up and say we are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today. The Ministry also wants to see these children stand for the Biblical truths where other generations have failed. According to the executive director, since the establishment of the Ministry in 2000, they have moved from one building to another due to the Ministry’s inability to meet up with rent, utility bills and capacity to accommodate the heavy influx of homeless children. Due to the above reasons, the executive Director of the Children Souls Ministry “Evangelist Melvin Kpeh” is urging all Bible believing Christians to come to the aid of these homeless and abandon children.
For donations, contact the below address:
The Children Souls Ministry
B.P. 25134, Darkar Fann
Senegal
Tel: +221-537-3144
By: Sam K Zinnah
Liberian Student
Delaware State
szinnah@yahoo.com
Having felt the need as Christians, a group of three Evangelist came together to establish the Children Souls Ministry in Senegal in 2000 with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh as the executive Director. The Children Souls Ministry is a non-for-profit Christian humanitarian organization which funding comes directly from friends, sympathizers, well wishers, sponsors and concepts organized by the children geared towards supporting themselves in refuge.
According to Evangelist Kpeh, The Children Souls Ministry’s objective is to take as many children “out of the streets” as possible. Evangelist Kpeh said his ministry has been involved in training, educating and sheltering homeless and abandon Liberian children in Senegal. He said his ministry does not want these homeless children to feel neglected by society but to see them feel part and parcel of society and to become better citizens who will return to Liberia to contribute to the reconstruction process. Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and his hard working staffs are working tirelessly to reunite these children with their parents “if they have” but unfortunately, most of the children are abandoned and don’t even know their parents and well about. The initial goal of the Children Souls Ministry was to cater to twenty children between the ages of five and fifteen years but because of the growing number of homeless children that are kicking at the Ministry’s doors, it has become almost impossible to say no to any of the children that hits the door with their personal belongings in plastic bags.
In an online conversation with Evangelist Melvin Kpeh and Evangelist Titus Sebo, few touching and heart breaking questions was posted to this author. Evangelist Kpeh asked: Have you ever held a dying baby in your arms? Have you ever seen a mother in tears because she cannot look after her child or children? Have you ever watched as children beg for the very things that we throw out? Have you ever realized that you could or someone could be you? Have you ever care enough to make a difference in someone’s life?
Both Evangelists Melvin Kpeh and Titus Sebo re-emphasized that their Ministry “The Children Souls Ministry” came into existence for the sole purpose of saving the lives of refugees and abandoned children that are left in the streets of Senegal to struggle in meeting the expense of their survival, security and education. He said some of these children are abandoned due the parents’ inability or unavailability to cater to them. Evg. Kpeh said as Christian he cannot only worship Jesus and continued to see homeless and helpless children died in the streets simply because there’s no one to cater to them. He said the vision of his Ministry is to see these children stand up and say we are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today. The Ministry also wants to see these children stand for the Biblical truths where other generations have failed. According to the executive director, since the establishment of the Ministry in 2000, they have moved from one building to another due to the Ministry’s inability to meet up with rent, utility bills and capacity to accommodate the heavy influx of homeless children. Due to the above reasons, the executive Director of the Children Souls Ministry “Evangelist Melvin Kpeh” is urging all Bible believing Christians to come to the aid of these homeless and abandon children.
For donations, contact the below address:
The Children Souls Ministry
B.P. 25134, Darkar Fann
Senegal
Tel: +221-537-3144
By: Sam K Zinnah
Liberian Student
Delaware State
szinnah@yahoo.com
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