United Bassa Organizations in the Americas (UNIBOA) Reacts to the Press Release Issued by Grand Bassa Citizens Association in the Americas

A Press Release Issued UNIBOA

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
February 16, 2014

The press release issued by Mr. Gayman does not in any way or any stretch of imagination represent the view or sentiment of the Bassa People in the Diaspora. As the leading, largest and umbrella organization of all the Bassa people in the United States, in the strongest terms disassociate itself from the potentially divisive press release by Mr. Gayman.

The United Bassa (Liberia) Organizations in the Americas (UNIBOA) is non-profit, non-political organization that comprise of citizens from the four Bassa Counties of Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, and Margibi and the Kokoyah District in Bong County. UNIBOA has over two thousand active members constituted into 14 Chapters in the following states in the USA – New Jersey, Minnesota, Michigan, Rhode Island, Texas, Georgia, North Caroline, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia (Washington DC). Our overarching mission is to unite our Bassa people and not to divide and draw wedges amongst our people. We do not endorse any candidate but work with well meaning Bassa Leaders to help in the process of developing our counties. Our members are free as an individual (in their own name) to support or be a surrogate for any candidate/political party but not under the canopy of the organization.

Let’s us leave the political tactics and strategies with the politicians and concentrate on the development of our counties. Our goal is to help enhance the social and educational development of all Bassoains and citizens of our counties and our record shows what we as Bassa people residing in the United States had done over the years, during our civil war and to the present time. We don’t take sides or scold others, neither citizens nor political leaders because of their differences with others county leaders. The United Bassa Organizations in the Americas as I mentioned before, condemned in its entirety the ruthless statement made by Mr. Jerome Gayman. Mr. Gayman is not the spoke person for the Bassa people in the United States. He does not hold any position in said organization according to the organization’s record. What we know of Mr. Gayman is that, he contested two elections and lost and since then, he has withdrawn his total participation in the organization. He is impersonating and no peace loving Bassoians or Liberian should give his statement any credence. We are for peace building and not destroying other citizens’ image. With this in mind, we sincerely pray that Jerome Gayman desist from using the word president anywhere on behalf of the Bassa People in the United States. We are willing to work with any Bassa politician for the betterment of our counties. Our membership has diverse political views and as such we should be careful on how we make pronouncement in the name of the organization.

Today, let us affirm a new commitment to live out our organization's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character. Together, we can change the tone in our discourse with a spirit of respect and cooperation. This is vital, because, in the end, we will be judged not only by what we say or how we say it, we will be judged by what we're able to accomplish together. I envision an organization with open minds; a union that celebrates our common heritage, taking pride not just in the homeland but in humanity itself. I see our people touched by a spirit of compassion, based on shared commitment.

To this end, and in the spirit of unity, the United Bassa (Liberia) Organizations in the Americas will be planning an All Bassa Conference in Liberia in 2015. Stay tune for details.