Officers taking oath of duty

On Saturday September 10th 2011 the Liberian Mandingo Association in the United Kingdom installed into office its elected officials in a joint programme at the memory lane function hall in Bolton, England. Since the establishment of LIMAUK, this was the second general election which saw the following personalities taking an oath of duty administered by Mr Chester Barh, Counsellor, Chargés d’affaires, Liberian embassy in the UK. Officials sworn into office were Samuka Dore, President, Afin Sanoe, Vice President, Oumaru K Bility, General Secretary, and Theresa Foday Kamara, Treasurer.
LIMAUK is a voluntary and community based organisation founded six years ago to foster the affairs of Liberian Mandingos living in the UK, to nurture the empowerment of its membership through education and social interaction with various communities in the UK thus, creating a vibrant and coherent society that accommodate social integration and to further participate in national developmental projects in their own post war Liberia. The occasion attracted many prominent personalities from the Liberian community in the United Kingdom. Amongst them were, Prince Taylor, President, Union of Liberian organisations in the UK (ULO-UK), Counsellor Chester Barh, guest speaker of the night and Chargés d’affaires of the Liberian embassy in the UK, Abass Fofana, imam, African Muslim Organisation of Manchester, Pastor Akoi Bazzie, Hope of glory ministry Sheffield, the out going president Mr Musa Konneh among others.
It wouldn’t go without saying that the night was convincingly inspiring and entertaining thanks to the massive turn out and support given by the membership of LIMAUK and well-wishers from diverse communities. The outgoing president Mr Musa Konneh who denounced the saying “former President” directed the audience to the bail board on LIMAUK’s website which reads “WE ARE FAMILY” as a reference point for his assertion, reassured all limaukans that we cannot have former brother, sister or mother and as such we will always remained as a family. He remained resolute that it is only with our combined effort that this community will achieve its goals. Mr Konneh was hailed and awarded for his active roles in both the Liberian Mandingo community and the Liberian community in general by the incoming administration spearheaded by president elect Samuka Dore. He (Konneh) was one of the founding members of LIMAUK.
The guest speaker of the night Mr Chester Barh expressed his satisfaction over the level of understanding that exist amongst Liberians in the UK and admonished that as we put back together our broken pieces, it is important that we form part of community development projects in order to further enhance our developmental platforms. Mr Barh took the audience through the positives of the Unity party led government headed by her excellences Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He highlighted key issues that are significant to a transparent and peaceful execution of the impending presidential and legislative election in Liberia. He said that we can only make our voices known by practicing our constitutional franchise that is to participate in electoral processes and making sound decisions. The long-time diplomat recognised the ingenuity behind the formation of LIMAUK and cautioned that Limaukans should not entertain any form of distraction that will deter them from this good will.
Prince Taylor, president of ULO-UK, one of the speakers on the occasion spoke with gratitude and enlightened the audience about some of the contributions LIMAUK had made to the Liberian community at large. He specified that the proposal to process Liberian passport at the Liberian embassy in the UK which was eventually Okayed by the Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on her visit to the UK in earlier this year came from a member of LIMAUK. He said “had it not been LIMAUK that proposal wouldn’t have come to pass”.
After being sworn in as the president ready to steer the affairs of this noble organisation, Mr Samuka Dore took on to the podium to share his views with the audience. He started by giving glory to the almighty Allah for keeping him alive and in good health. He extended appreciations to the Chairman and members of the election commission for their tremendous effort in administering and ensuring that the election went on as scheduled and to the membership for their commitment and patient in times of difficulties.
“ He further commended the outgoing President, Mr Musa Konneh for his hard work for the community and showed his admiration for the former administration for their excellence services during their tenure.
Fellow members of Limauk, it was a complex and tough process for me to run for Limauk’s presidency, but that day, July 9, 2011 in Manchester, you decided to make a new beginning and our young democracy has spoken louder and clearer. I consider it a call to report to duty. And I humbly accept this mandate and I am delighted to report to duty with a full and graceful heart and with an obligation to devote every effort and spirit to lead our noble organization to achieving its greatest potential” He said. He continues “It is indeed with honesty and fairness to stand before you with the assurance that our election on July 9, 2011 was an inspiration and victory for all of us and I am very optimistic that the election has ended and the empowerment of our people has just begun. We therefore; call on every community member to join us in our quest to make our association second to none”.
The motivation and enthusiasm seen on this night creates an absolute certainty that the entire membership of LIMAUK is adequately prepared to turn the page to a new chapter. The smooth and transparent transfer of power in this direction should serve as an eye-opener to every Liberian community groupings in the Diaspora and the need to emulate this example.