By P. Lincoln Nyanrue, elincoln1986@gmail.com
Smiles beam the face of children in Grand Gedeh last Saturday as they get set to participate in a national level children forum event. Their fifth successive election on June 10, 2017 now propels the Gedeh Children Forum to grace the Buchanan convention this year.
The elections were conducted under the supervision of Morris Wondee, the “Child Warfare Officer” of the Ministry of Gender’s Children Social Protection of Grand Gedeh County.
Those elected for the Grand Gedeh County Children Representative Forum over the weekend were Prince Y. Saydee, Chairman; Cynthia Dave, Co Chairperson; Jerome Dunner Jr., General Secretary; Mafortee Tody, Financial Secretary; Laura Beh, Chaplain; and Jimmy Bloe, Advisor.
Speaking at the end of the occasion, the Child Warfare Officer said the children’s election was held successfully.
Mr. Wondee told our Southeastern Correspondent that the Ministry of Gender Children Social Protection conducts these activities every two years before the national convention, where children of the Republic of Liberia elect their officials at the national level.
He disclosed that the national convention for the Children Representative Forum this year would be held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, on June 13-16, 2017. The convention is enters its third day Friday.
These days will be climaxed with the official celebration of the “Day of the African Child”, which is observed annually on the African continent.
The Child Warfare Officer of Grand Gedeh County explained further that three officials of the kids elected were expected to depart for Grand Bassa to represent the county.
For her part, the outgoing president of the Children Representative Forum of Grand Gedeh County, Miss Wachen S. Roberts said there were challenges but her leadership managed to achieve their development agenda.
Miss Roberts represented Grand Gedeh County Children Representative Forum at the national level as Second Deputy Speaker twice and First Deputy Speaker once. She commended her colleagues for the steps taken and challenged them to continue the good works.
According to her, she remains committed in advocating for children’s rights. She used the program to admonish the county authorities and partners to continue to do business with the new leadership, headed by Prince Y. Saydee.
Meanwhile, President-elect Saydee won on white ballot. He pledged a stronger advocacy. He vowed to ably represent the children of Grand Gedeh County on the local and national levels.
Master Saydee said child labor, school dropout kids and sexual and gender based violence against children will be his top priority issues to engaged for the next two years of his tenure.
He also vowed to contest for the secretariat position in the upcoming national Children Representative Forum convention in Buchannan, Grand Bassa County this week.
Master Saydee further said he will work along with the Ministry of Gender Children Social Protection and the Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberia National Police, Grand Gedeh County Detachment and Civil Society Organizations in addressing issues affecting them in the county, so as to find amicable solutions.
In a related development, Decontee E. Tenty defeated Mark C. Dweh, the incumbent during the June 3rd and 4th successive elections of the Grand Gedeh County Youth Development Association.
Miss Tenty of the Grand Gedeh United Coalition Youth for Development Party won 150 votes out of the 279 ballots cast, while incumbent Dweh of the United Grand Gedeh Youth for Development Party obtained 128 with 1 invalid vote.
Preparation for the victorious coalition party inaugural program is underway and scheduled 8th of July next month.
The elections were held at the Youth Center on Moses P. Harris Street, Zwedru.
