Hundreds of Liberian journalists, politicians, lawyers, human rights activists, prelates, members of the diplomatic community across America, and other Liberian professionals are expected to converge on Philadelphia Saturday for the elaborate induction ceremonies of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA).

In a release today, the Chairman of the Installation Committee, Mr. J. Nagbe Sloh, said former Chief Justice Chea Cheapoo is expected to address the occasion on the topic: "LIBERIA: YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW."

Counselor Cheapoo, who was lawyer of the progressive movement that started a struggle in the 1970s which eventually transformed Liberia from a hundred-year-long one-party system to a multiparty participatory democracy in the 1970s, is expected to take a retrospective look at Liberia's political troubles and advance some suggestions for the future of the country.

Counselor Cheapoo is also a former Minister of Justice, former Senator of Grand Gedeh County, and a former publisher of the "Standard" newspaper in Monrovia, which ceased operation as a result of the civil war. He unsuccessfully ran for president in Liberia's 1997 special elections that legitimized tyrant Charles Taylor's hold to state power.

Mr. Sloh said Saturday's program, scheduled to be held at the ACANA Center on Chester Avenue, is expected to be attended by the leadership and member organizations of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas, Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, the University of Liberia Alumni Association, the Coalition of Progressive Liberians in the Americas, and local Liberian organizations in the tri-state area of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

He said journalist Hassan Bility, arrested last year by the Taylor vampire and held incommunicado for several months, will also be given an opportunity to explain his ordeal to the audience.

Officers-elect expected to be installed Saturday are Masa Washington, Chairman; Bentt Chea, Vice Chairman; Moses Sandy, Secretary-General; and Gardea Woodson, Treasurer. Two elected members of the Administrative Board, Messrs. J. Nagbe Sloh and J. Kpanquoi Jallah, will also take the oath of office.

The program will be climaxed with a dinner ball to be tendered by Chairman Washington and her officers.

---