The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
September 29, 2021

Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.

The Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA), Inc. 47th National General Assembly held in Columbus, Ohio, brought close to one thousand delegates from all over the United States. Despite the COVID-19 Crisis, delegates came in drove by car and air determined to participate in the 47th National General Assembly. In my close to fifty years of attending ULAA’s Convention, this year’s attendance was the largest. However, there was something about this Convention that did not look right. I thought it had to do with the new voting system that was being used for the elections; only to find out that there was a serious division in the Community of the host chapter that had not been resolved.

Convention of this size is bound to have some glitches; this one was no exception, it had its share. Many Convention attendees, including this writer, were not aware that the host chapter had a problem that had not been resolved.

Unfortunately, the issue had to do with the supporters in both camps: Carter/Wilson-Kear’s Team vs. Shiwoh/Minerva’s Team. This problem affected the smooth operation of the Convention. The Fofana Administration did a great job in planning the 47th National General Assembly. If the conflict in the host chapter had been resolved, this Convention would’ve been ULAA’s best National General Assembly. There were close to one thousand participants that came from all over the United States. It was like a big family reunion gathering; kudos to the planners and the Communication Team for a job done well.

Alleged Sabotage Noticed by Some Delegates
By emphasizing first conducting the elections led some delegates to believe that there was sabotage by individuals in the Host Chapter that led to many irregularities, such as:
1. For the Convention to not follow the programs as planned;
2. For the Convention to not call to order;
3. For the first time in the history of ULAA, the National General Assembly did not conduct the business of the organization;
4. No Resolution was taken and Adopted;
5. Many of the delegates did not arrive at the Convention on time;
6. There were several changes made to the site where certain programs were to be held, and
7. The site of the 2022 - 48th National General Assembly was selected.

However, adjustments were made to continue the Convention. But the behaviors exhibited by many delegates created too much commotion that led other delegates to believe that those delegates that were causing the commotions, came only to cast their ballots for the candidates of their choice. The commotions exhibited resemble Monrovia's ‘Red Light Market’ disorder.

Many life changes can cause discomfort. I believe this was the problem. Some of the delegates were not used to, or comfortable with the change (the new voting process). It is part of human nature not to easily accept change; new ones; no matter if the change is to improve the way elections are conducted in the organization. The Walhalla that ensued is one of the factors that contributed immensely to the delay of activities, including other logistical problems. Because the General Assembly was not held, one chapter that had been serious problems – the Liberian Community Association of Central New Jersey and the Metro Areas came to the Convention with nine delegates to have their problems resolved; instead, they left very disappointedly.  They left with the impression that the Convention was poorly planned.

Although the Business Sections of the National General Assembly were not held, the Honest Ballot Electronic Voting System contracted by UCEP’s Ad-Hoc Elections Committee whose Chief Coordinator is Rev. James D. Barclay made sure voting was conducted amicably. However, one constitutional rule of the organization was violated: 1) the results of the votes for the Northern, Southern, and Eastern  Regions’ Vice Presidential candidates were conducted inappropriately; as a result, a complaint was filed with the proper authority to have it resolved.    

 

Besides the problems stated above, both Carter/Wilson-Kear and Shiwoh/Minerva’s teams accepted the results of the elections.

Find below program items that were achieved:

• The Debates were held
• The National Board Election, which was not part of this General Assembly was held
• The Keynote Address by Eminent Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, sr. was delivered
• President Vamba S. Fofana’s State of the Union Address was delivered.

Below is the summary of the National Executive President’s Address:

Good evening fellow ULAA members! I thank you for the four years we worked together to move this Union forward. It could not be done without your tireless efforts and support. Thank you for seeing in me the leadership potential and for challenging me to work for the greater good of Liberians in the Diaspora and at home (Liberia).  

I enjoyed the cordial working relationship and support I had throughout the years with the National Administration, the National Board of Directors, and the National Leadership Council.  And to Hon. Frank Flomo Carter, I extend special thanks and appreciation for being such a team player; together, we achieved a lot; again, thank you, my friend.

I am only leaving the position of National Executive President but not the Union. I plan to support the incoming administration and to continue my support for this great Union. Because of the love both Frank and I have for the greater good of the Union, we did not use the funds allocated in the budget for our positions; we used our finance throughout our tenure, which is unprecedented in the history of the Union.     

• Presentation of ULAA’s Presidential Awards were made by the President, and
• The Traditional Ball was held to climax the occasion.

 

PROGRAMS THE FOFANA ADMINISTRATION ACHIEVED DURING ITS TENURE AND THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE

Diaspora Agenda: First 100 Days Deliverables
A. Grant the appropriate stature and recognition to the Liberian Association of Washington DC and the Metro Areas as the National Headquarters of the Union.

B. Build a strong Union through accountability and financial transparency. Re-established voucher system, and abolished the use of ATM cards as the primary source of expanding Union finances.

C. Brought together disparate Liberian community organizations under ULAA through effective dispute resolution within affected member organizations. Also used traditional Liberian palaver hut format to proactively prevent conflicts and strengthen the bonds within member organizations to build a vibrant and cohesive Union that caters to the needs of all.

Mobilization of Financial Resources
Fully utilized the Union’s tax-exempt status to mobilize financial resources for the Union and implement the Liberian Diaspora Development Fund project that seeks annual financial contributions from individual Liberians for national development programs.

Strengthened and Empowered Member Organizations
A. Ensured all member organizations to be fully represented on the National Leadership Council and the National Board of Directors.

B. Provided minimum program financial assistance of $500.00 to each member organization in good standing with the Union in the second year of the Administration.

Immigration Advocacy
ULAA remains in the vanguard of advocating for immigration benefits that provide permanent residency and other legal statuses to the Liberians in the U.S. They were pursued through direct lobbying of U.S. Congressional leaders and establish a working partnership with other immigration lobbying groups.

Dual Citizenship
The campaign for dual citizenship continues. Our Administration developed new strategies such as enlisting the assistance of county associations and other partners in this effort. Also re-established and maintained a dual citizenship advocacy group in Liberia, which intensified our lobbying efforts in the National Legislature. Further, we explored the possibility of judicial review on the issue; and I hope the next administration continues where we stopped.

Out-of-Country Voting
My administration felt the time has come for all Liberians both at home and in the Diaspora to take part in the political process of the Country. We presented a solid case to the National Elections Commission for Liberians in the Diaspora to vote in all national elections.

Vigorous Advocacy Against Corruption and All Anti-Democratic Tendencies in Liberia
Our Administration made some to mobilize Diaspora Liberians in the U.S. to take concerted action against corruption and the abuse of liberty and democracy in Liberia wherever and whenever it occurs in Liberia; I hope the next administration will continue this effort.

Established ULAA Youth Wing
Realizing the role of youth in any organization, our Administration established a robust Youth Wing. The ULAA Youth Wing is charged with the responsibility to develop programs for the participation of young people in the affairs of the Union.
Also, the Youth Wing is responsible to design youth programs that will promote Liberian culture, entrepreneurship, education, and provide linkages between Liberian youths in the Diaspora and at home.
                                  
HOMELAND POLICY AGENDA
ULAA must build partnerships and collaborations between home and host country institutions that promote the development goals of Liberia. Our Agenda for Liberia along these lines will be the area of vocational/technical education and voters’ education.

 

VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL EDUCATION
The focus of this effort is to support programs that will provide skills training for youths and young adults between six to twenty-four months period. Emphasis will be on the areas of carpentry, masonry, construction, and other technical areas.

ADOPTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL
Explore efforts to adopt a primary school in Liberia in which the Union will undertake activities that enhance the learning environment. The goal is to adopt one school in the first year on a trial basis, and two schools in the second year of our administration.

ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY TO UNIVERSITY RELATIONSHIPS
Explore the possibility of creating academic and institutional relationships between targeted U.S. universities and Liberian universities similar to sister-city relationships. The goal is to promote intellectual exchanges and study-abroad programs.

VOTERS’ EDUCATION
Due to the importance of voters’ education in the democratic process, our Administration will develop voter education programs for the pending elections in Liberia as part of our commitment to advocate for and promote democratic governance in Liberia.

There were other logistically problems that the Administration encountered for which the Host Chapter, delegates, and the Administration can share the blame of the problems at the Convention.

Dr. Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh’s Account of the Convention
Dr. Sungbeh’s account of ULAA’s 47th National General Assembly: “ULAA Can Do Better”, reminds me of the story told by Dr. Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (May 1787) about a woman he knew.

The statement reads:

"I once knew a lady who told me that her sister said to her, 'It's the strangest thing. Whenever I get into a dispute with somebody, I've always been the one who was right'"(Canfield Fisher, Dorothy, Our Independence, and the Constitution, pp. 130-131).  

The woman in Dr. Franklin's story is like Dr. Sungbeh. My friend and brother’s manner of writing is intended to tell only his side of a story he believes to be true. But as for good and honest writers, they write the two sides of the story – good and the bad; instead, my ‘good friend’ wants to appear as the only credible writer in the Liberian community by attacking the characters of other people. I will leave it with you to be the judge of what he reported happened at the ULAA’s 47th National General Assembly and mine.

Anyone reporter whose introductory statement reads, “As a staunch critic of ULAA…” will go on fishing expeditions to have his end justifies his means; even a morally bad one could be used to achieve it; with the intent to undermine the

integrity of a person he dislikes. The story should be about the event, not about me (Eminent Nyanseor). My disappointment is with those who agreed with Dr. Sungbeh’s one-sided evaluation of ULAA’s 47th National Assembly without hearing the full account of what transpired at the Convention. Liberian people remember that there are two sides to every story!

I am not surprised! Attacking others unfairly is Dr. Sungbeh’s “Fair and Balance” journalism. However, my disappointment is not with what he posted on FaceBook about me; rather it is with the comments made by individuals I thought knew me better who accepted his deceptive Rush Limbaugh style of “Fair and Balance” internet troll which is intended to smear my character and having provided my assessment of the event, you be the judge.

Finally, it is my desire and yours as well that due to the renewed interest exhibited the weekend of September 17th thru 1he 19th of 2021, in the great city of Columbus, Ohio that we remained united to form a more perfect Union which will last for another 47 years. Peace and Ku ka ton-nor!

Find below the Honor bestowed on me:

Office of the
NATION EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT

The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas

SPECIALS RECOGNITION AWARD
Presented to Eminent Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.

For the past many years Eminent Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr. has rendered conscientious and valuable services to the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA). As a Founding Member and the 11th National President of ULAA, you carried on your roles and responsibilities efficiently and effectively, rendered efficient, faithful, and unobtrusive but invaluable services to our noble Union. The National Administration, the National Board of Directors, and the National Leadership Council make formal acknowledgment of their appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by Eminent Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr., dubbed the “ULAA Historian,” during the years of his leadership and duly acknowledge the substantial contributions, which you have made and continue to make to ULAA. It is the sincere hope of the members of the National Administration, the Nation Board of Directors, and the National Leadership Council that you will enjoy many more years of good health and happiness. May the years ahead be the best years of your life.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, VAMBA S. FOFANA, National Executive President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) in close consultation with the National Board of Directors, National Leadership Council, present this SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD to EMINENT ELDER SIAHYONKRON J. K. NYANSEOR, SR.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, hereunto set my hand this day of September, in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-one.

Signed: Hon. Vamba S. Fofana
National Executive President/ULAA

Approved: Hon. Alfred Sieh
Chairman of the National Board of Directors

 

THE ACTUAL AWARD
In Union Strong Success is Sure; Reliving the Spirit of the Original Intent of the Founders: Unity and Advocacy as well as Together We Struggle For A Better Liberia.
In The Cause of The People, The Struggle Continues!

About The Author:

Eminent Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr. is a Senior Reporter for The Perspective, an online internet web magazine (since 1996) of the Liberian Democratic Future (LDF), a non-profit, independent, and democratic research organization dedicated to promoting peace, democracy, justice and equal opportunity for all Liberians.  In other to pursue its goals and objectives – ideals such as building democratic, economic and political institutions will serve as a hallmark, and ensure the future of democracy in Liberia is sustained. In this regard, LDF is dedicated to a proactive approach in championing the human and constitutional rights of those individuals and groups who find themselves less empowered and unfortunate in Liberia and its Diaspora. As an independent organization, the LDF remains opened and committed to working with any Liberian and non-Liberian organization that shares its beliefs and principles.  Eminent Nyanseor is apoet, Griot, journalist, cultural and political activist. He can be reached at (470) 667-9210 & siah1947@gmail.com

NOTE: Should you need information about ULAA, I can be reached at the contact provided above.