Liberia’s biggest and oldest civil society organization in the Diaspora, the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), is expected to induct into offices its newly elected officials at an inaugural ball slated for Saturday, March 26 and will be heavily spiced up not only with the presence of top officials of government and private sectors of Liberia and the United States of America, but will also feature discussions centered on Liberia’s economy.
The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Nathaniel Falo McGill, has been tipped to serve as the Chief Launcher at the 47th Inaugural Ceremony of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 26th, 2022 in Essington, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
According to the information released by the organizers of the major event, besides Minister McGill, whose presence will be a huge representation from the Government of Liberia, three members of the US Congress and other dignitaries will be gracing the occasion and will be playing key roles. Mary Gay Scanton, Representative for #5 Pennsylvania is expected to serve as Guest Speaker, while Senator Tim Kearney of 26th District of Pennsylvania, will serve as Installing Officer, and Representative Joanna E. McClinton of 191st District, Pennsylvania, will be Special Guest.
Following recent trends of development within ULAA and its new policy direction towards the country, pundits say the selection of Minister McGill, who is also the Chief of Office Staff of President George Manneh Weah, as Chief Launcher, is strategic and rhythms with the theme of this year’s event: “Developing Partnerships that Would Create Economic Growth and Reduce Poverty for the People of Liberia”, as a working relationship between the national government and ULAA as well as Liberia’s Diaspora population, to promote a win-win situation and accelerate development and progress on the home front.
The Weah led government’s policy of ONCE A LIBERIAN, ALWAYS A LIBERIAN has so far resonated with ULAA and other Diaspora groups who have been pushing for dual citizenship for Liberians who fled the civil war and have taken citizenship in other countries along with their families, most of whom were born in the foreign lands.
The Supreme Court of Liberia in a landmark judgment last year enforced the government position on dual citizenship. Before then, the government proposed the dual citizenship bill, among other propositions for referendum in 2020, but could not meet the threshold for adoption.
“Minister McGill’s presence at the program will be a major watershed in the relationship that has been envisaged to yield a better deal for the country. As a major player in this government, it is like ULAA is having the President himself in their midst and we will not be surprised if the relationship will lead to so many positive things for the country. It is a new dawn in the history of ULAA, transitioning from agitation to constructive engagement”, an excited Paye G. Wilatonah III, a Liberian based in Europe said.
The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas is an umbrella organization of Liberian groupings across the United States and Canada.
It was formed on July 4, 1974 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America with the expressed goal to advance the just causes of Liberians and Liberia at home and abroad.
The general principles of ULAA are to promote and encourage national reconciliation, integration and unification; preserve and protect Liberian culture, history and traditions; uphold and defend fundamental rights, including the human rights and civil liberties of Liberians everywhere; cultivate and harness the energies and resources of Liberians to improve the quality of life of all Liberians abroad; and advocate and advance the cause of constitutional democracy.
The inaugural poster named those to be installed at the occasion as J. Shiwoh Kamara, National President; Madam Minerva Grant, Vice President; Madam Emmanuette G. Nagbe, National Secretary;, Alexander Arku Bazzie, National Financial Secretary; and Dr. Will Jallah, National Treasurer.
The Chief Hosts of the Inaugural Ball which will be held at Clarion Hotel Conference Hall, 26 Industrial HighWay, Philadelphia are ULAA President J. Shiwoh Kamara and Vice President Minerva Grant.
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