Liberia’s Planning and Economic Affairs Minister Hon. Amara Konneh
addressed cross section of Liberians in Philadelphia.
December 10, 2011
Liberia’s Planning and Economic Affairs Minister addressed the larger
Liberian community in Philadelphia on Thursday 12/08/2011 at ACANA on
Chester Ave. in an unofficial capacity. Minister Konneh who spoke to the
Liberian community through the “Independent Intellectual Forum of
Philadelphia” said he feels very good to be back and speak to his base.
I am not the official spokes person of the Liberian government and as
such, I will not speak in detail but instead will just give you
Liberians here some highlights about our present day Liberia, Minister
Konneh added. Having said that, let me congratulate all Liberians of our
victory in the just ended free, transparent, and fair elections in our
country. As a campaign chairman, I want to openly say here that the just
ended elections in Liberia was remarkably handled well by the National Elections
Commissions of Liberia (NEC), the Economic Community of West Africans
States (ECOWAS), the international community, other interest groups as
well as the Liberian voting population. The Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) deployed a huge number of observers ever in the
history of modern day Liberia’s elections, Minister Konneh noted. The
voters turn out was massive and very much encouraging. However, the
second round was different in terms of turn out owing to the following
factors; most of the representatives and senatorial candidates whom
encouraged and transported most voters from one point to the other
during the first round of voting were not active during the second round
because according to the Minister, their part of the process was over.
The representatives and senatorial candidates never had any more
interest in the presidential election because some have either won or
lose their elections. Another reason was the fear voters had about
things going worse given the numerous threats by some opposition
parties. The third reason can be attributed to the boycott by the
Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). Amidst all of these ups and downs,
our people still turned out to vote for the future of the country which
resulted to the clear victory of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the
Unity Party.
Fellow Liberians, if we take a look back at the trajectory of our
country from 1972 till 2003, you will agree with me that the total years
in between would be 31. I want us to consider this as an era that saw
our country Liberia in a disjointed economic trench that requires
vigorous economic recovery strategies. You can now see that the recovery
process from such a milt-down requires concerted efforts on the part all
Liberians in other to get our country moving strong again.
The Minister also mentioned that the “human capacity building process”
the Unity Party led government has embarked is going to continue. There
are some Universities here in the United States that we will be sending
some of our young students to by 2012 to achieve career education, the
Minister told the audience.
In his final remarks, Minister Konneh said that the “feeling and habit
of entitlement” by Liberians should at all times be discouraged.
According to Minister Konneh, when the Liberian government awards
contracts to some Liberian contractors, they performed very poorly as
compared to foreign contractors. This is making things difficult for us
as officials of government. In as much as we will want to help improve
the business of our people, we also expect very good results from the
projects they are tasked with. We all need to help the building of our
country, the Minister noted.
Some of the high profile personalities in attendance were: Hon. Wilmot
W. Kunney, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ULAA, Hon. Anthony
Kesselly, former National President of ULAA, Hon. Mohamed Bility,
President of FELMAUSA, Mr. Dahn Dennis, President of the Liberians
Association of Pennsylvania (LAP), Adolphine Kannal, Secretary of the
Board of Directors of (LAP), Mr. Christopher Selekpoh, Secretary General
of (LAP). Also present were Hon. Stanley Staughter representing the City
of Philadelphia, Mr. Kalefala Turay, Chairman of Independent
Intellectual Forum of Philadephia, and Imam Mohamed Kenneh as well as
host of other important Liberian community members.
King Mohamed-PRO FELMAUSA
2677028982
www.felmausa.org
December 10, 2011
The President of FELMAUSA, Hon. Mohamed S. Bility, and the Chairman of the Education Committee, Mr. Mohammed Sheriff are jointly pleased to congratulate 
Mr. Yaya Sanoe and 
Mr. Musa V. Trawally on their huge academic achievements. These individuals are important members of our community and as such deserved to be honored. Both individuals graduated last Saturday Dec. 03, 2011 from Strayer University in Baltimore Maryland earning MBA degrees in their respective fields of study. The leadership of FELMAUSA calls and encourages all brothers and sisters of the larger Mandingo community who are currently in schools to continue the good work and also admonishes those that are intending to enroll in school to do so as soon as possible because in its view, Liberia is now a country of the qualified and not what tribal group one belongs to.
The FELMAUSA leadership praised both individuals for their efforts and commitments in acquiring their Master Degrees. Mr. Sanoe, a former student of the University of Liberia, and former Liberian Government official, saw the importance of education and decided to follow his heart desire in achieving higher education by earning a Master Degree in Business Administration from Strayer University. In a brief remark, Mr. Sanoe, encouraged all members of our community to take education seriously, for education is the key to our successes in the future, “and the time was now,” Mr. Sanoe added. Other high profile personalities who spoke at his graduation ceremony were the president of LIMAP, Mr. Lamine Kromah, Mr. Frank Sannoh, and Dr. Abu Manssalley among very important individuals of the community.
Mr. Trawally, currently serving as Vice president of the Quadu Gbonie Mandingos Association and also National Treasurer of ULAA, graduated from Strayer University with a Master Degree in Project Management with emphasis in Project Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making. In his remarks to the community, Mr. Trawally called on all Liberians around the world to prioritize education. In his closing remarks, Mr. Trawally said that he has and will continue serve the community at an individual, family, community, nation and global levels. Present at his graduation were Mr. Anthony Kesselly, former president of ULAA, Mr. Daniel Gayou, Mr. William Kpator (who also graduated with Mr. Trawally) and Mr. Francis Duwana were among other high profile individuals and family members at the ceremony on Saturday.
Both graduation programs were held at separate venues but yet well attended by friends, family members, well wishers and the entire membership of the community. The final message here is that “THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN EDUCATION,” AND IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO GO TO SCHOOL.
King Mohamed-PRO FELMAUSA
2677028982
www.felmausa.org
The organization of the New York Mandingos Association (ONYMA) inauguration
December 1, 2011
The inauguration ceremony of the Organization of Liberian Mandingos in New York “ONYMA” was held on Saturday November 26, 2011 on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx of New York. Mr. Layee Sirleaf, president along with other elected officials was sworn into their respective offices. About four hundred and fifty individuals graced the occasion. Among those making remarks were King Mohamed on behalf of FELMAUSA, formal president of ONYMA Famod Konneh, Hon. Abu Kamara, “Minister Counselor for press and Public Affairs at the mission of Liberia to the United Nations” who served as the guest speaker of the program, and the president of ONYMA, Hon. Laye Sirleaf. In his ten minutes length remarks, president Sirleaf assured the ONYMA community that his administration will do everything possible to ensure unity and extend the organization beyond where he met it. He encouraged members of ONYMA to continue their support for the organization at all times.
For his part, the guest speaker of the occasion, Hon. Abu Kamara, stressed the need of unity and love among Mandingos as a community. He lauded the effort of FELMAUSA’s medical mission to Liberia as the right step in the right direction. Hon. Kamara highlighted the history of the Mandingos as people of courage and great ideas as well as values. In a separate remark, former president Famod Konneh outlined his administration’s achievements among other things as creating and maintaining ONYMA’s website, creating a facebook and bank accounts, and writing a working constitution. He also added that, he has the confidence that Mr. Sirleaf will do a better job for ONYMA as an organization. In his concluding remarks, Mr. Konneh encouraged our sisters about going to school. Mr. Mohamed Fofana of New Jersey who was the installing officer, congratulated the elected officers for their courage and also challenged them to work in the interest of the people that elected them to power.
Among the guests from out states were Layee Turay of Atlanta Georgia, Kafumba Kenneh, Famod Konneh, Losene Dorleh, Leo Sesay, and Farouk Konneh all of Philadelphia. Also from Philadelphia was Ishmael Donzo who represented the Independent Intellectual Forum of Philadelphia. Matalee Dorleh and her girls from Atlantic City New Jersey graced the occasion as well.
Felmausa delegation headed by King Mohamed met with Mr. Layee Turay of Atlanta Georgia and had a fruitful 30 minutes discussion on the current affairs of Geaorgia. Mr. Turay who is a soft spoken young man was very approachable. He expressed his willing desires for a united Georgia Mandingo Community.
King Mohamed-PRO FELMAUSA
December 2, 2011
The Chairman of the “Mandingo Agenda Committee,” Hon. Bangalee Trawally says his committee cannot afford to wait any longer in advancing their recommendations to the executive leadership of the Federation of the Liberian Mandingos Association in the United States of America (FELMAUSA). Hon. Trawally in an interview today revealed that
during the committee’s first meeting, the size of the members present for the initial discussion was about seven. He however added that it has been a bit difficult to get hold of some of the committee’s members simply because of their individual tight schedules. We have got a huge task at hand and we will do all in our available times to work on this project, as thoughtfully and quickly as possible Hon. Trawally said. According to the Chairman of the “Mandingo Agenda Committee,” Hon. Vamba Fofana is serving in the capacity as Co-chairman while Hon. Manyou Bility has elected to serve as secretary of the committee. With this progress, the Chairman said, we will in three weeks from today be able to come out with some initial recommendations. There are two forms Unity highlighted by our committee; the first has to do with the Unity among Mandingos on one hand and the Unity with other Liberians on the other. With the preliminary process in drafting a plan to address these issues of serious concerns, I believe a major impact will be felt, the Chairman told me in a telephone interview this afternoon. In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the “Mandingo Agenda Committee” called on his committee members to gain courage in executing this task in the interest of the mandingo community in particular and the Liberian community in general.
King Mohamed-PRO FELMAUSA
The Constitutional Review Committee recently setup by Hon. Mohammed S. Bility, President of FELMAUSA has begun the process of consultation with memberships aimed at creating an enabling environment for members to provide inputs into the process of constitutional revision. Every FELMAUSAN is encouraged to bring to the attention of the committee specific ARTICLE(s), SECTION(s) and CLAUSE(S) in FELMAUSA’s constitution that are of grave concern to him/ her, which in, his/her opinion, impedes or has the propensity to hinder the working of institution.
In fostering this spirit of consultation, the committee has attached a copy of the constitution for public consumption. Individual(s) and group(s) are strongly encouraged to download the attachment (Felmausa’s Constitution) and discuss it. The Committee will be grateful to getfeedback from such individuals and groups. It is the views of the committee that, this level of consultations and dialoques will indeed accelerate its work and ultimately renders the outcome or product inclusive and participatory. FELMAUSA belongs to all FELMAUSANS and together, we MUST work in Unison to make it, better and an enviable institution worthy of its nomenclature.
We remain,
The Constitutional Review Committee, 2011
The FELMAUSA administration is pleased to inform the community that the much anticipated Atlanta discussion was an absolute success. The President and his entourage were accorded with the utmost respect and warm reception.
The president expressed profound appreciation to the people of Georgia for such warm gesture. Members of the Atlanta Mandingos Association were highly impressed with the presence of high power delegation and the nature of discussions held.
"This is the moment we've long waited for". "It's been five years since FEMAUSA was established, and this is first time ever for a FEMAUSA leader to travel to Georgia in an administrative capacity", said Mr. Musa Konneh, former president of Atlanta Mandingos Association. However, a joint communiqué with respect to details of the discussion will be released in due course. The delegation is on its way back. Thanks for now.
Abubakarseleke Soko Sackor Jr.
King Mohamed-PRO FELMAUSA
2677028982
www.felmausa.org
In an enduring concerted effort to ensure genuine camaraderie and lasting stability amongst member states of the Federation of Liberian Mandingos Association of the United States of Amerca,FELMAUSA,the Bility administretion has strategically opted to prioritize the option of face-to-face discussions with parties involved in miniscule palavers and skirmishes at chapter levels.
To practicalize such priorities, the president and top administration officials of FELMAUSA are scheduled to fly to Atlanta Georgia today (Friday ), to hold talks with the leadership of that Chapter in an effort to arbitrate an alleged ongoing misunderstanding that has existed for quite awhile now.
As arbiter of the pending discussion,the president is expected to call on all sides to the conflict to subdue bigotry and exercise simplicity and good citizenship by forgetting the past, and embracing the way forward,for it is the only rational path to achieving our common interest and common characteristics for the general welfare of our people.
" The fierce urgency is now, says the President, and we must be conscientious of the fact that we have a promise to fulfill to the people of FELMAUSA, so we must move quickly in our burning desire to adequately accomplish the core objectives of FELMAUSA's existence as transcribed within its mission statement".
"Therefore, we cannot!, the President exclaimed, and will not be complacent with the fact that we just got elected to office and so we have more time to linger around on critical issues".
"We must know that complacencies and reactions are elements of failure that will not be welcomed in this administration. Hence, let it be unquestionably unequivocally construed that our duties as administrators of this noble institution began from the inception of our induction into office".
"That is why we must ensure that peace and tranquility exist in all chapters of FELMAUSA to enable this administration to focus on the issues that matter most to FELMAUSA and its communities" the president told members of the Publicity Committee in a briefing on Wednesday.
Given the urgency of the Georgia situation, the president will instead dispatch high-powered delegation to represent the administration at the much anticipated inaugural ceremony of ONYMA's President-election Hon. Layee Sirleaf of New York.
Abubakarseleke Soko Sackor Jr.
PRO---FELMAUSA
President Bility appoints Constitution Review Committee
A five-member Constitution Review Committee, under the chairmanship of Abraham Bility of Minnesota(Pictured below)
was yesterday confirmed by the President of FELMAUSA, Hon. Mohamed Bility in a teleconference.
The Committee will among other things ascertain from FELMAUSANS, their views on the operations of the 2011 Silver Spring Amendment that is now the source of many discomforts, its weaknesses and strengths. It will also document the concerns of all chapter states on amendments that may be required, make recommendations for consideration and provide a draft for possible amendment to the entire constitution.
Members of the committee are Hon. Abraham Bility of MN, Hon.Vamba Fofana of NY, Hon. Ahmed Sirleaf of MN, Hon. Amara Keita of PA and Hon. Mamiata Jabateh of NC. Confirming the Committee, President Bility said, there is the need for FELMAUSANS to look at the provisions of the constitution and decide those that require amendments. The review, he noted, will enable us to operate FELMAUSA in an efficient and progressive manner.
The President reminded the committee to take the wishes of the people of FELMAUSA into consideration in the course of their work for their final results to meet the total acceptance and approval of the delegates. He pledged his administration’s total cooperation for the committee. He said the output of their work can shape the destiny and future direction of FELMAUSA for years to come.
The Vice President for Administration, Hon Abraham Fofana, thanked the president for appointing such a multi-disciplinary body mandated to review the constitution to resolve all potential issues. He said he was confident that the caliber of people serving on the Committee will be able to carry out the work to the satisfaction of the federation.
The Chairman of the committee, on behalf of the members, thanked the President for the opportunity to serve FELMAUSA, and promised to do whatever it takes to achieve the best possible results to the satisfaction of all concerned.
King Mohamed
PRO Chairman
November 09, 2011
This is to inform the public of the resignation of Mr. Francis Duwana as moderator of the Federation of Liberian Mandingos Association in the United State of America, FELMAUSA Listserv.
According to his letter of resignation to the executive leadership of the organization, Mr. Duwana stated that he can no longer serve as moderator due to an alleged violation of the Silver Spring 2011 amendment by the current administration.
In response to Mr. Duwana’s Letter of resignation, the President of FELMAUSA, Hon. Mohammed S. Bility gracefully accepted his resignation and wished him well in his future undertakings.
The president also thanked Mr. Duwana for his many services to the community including the good jobs demonstrated in getting FELMAUSA to where it is today. Meanwhile, the president asked Mr. Duwana to please train Mr. Al Donzo and King Mohamed so that they can continue his good work of managing the listserv of felmaussa in the mean time.
Mohamed S. Kamara II (King Mohamed)
President Bility’s Peace and Inauguration Missions take off this week-end.
November 22, 2011
The Bility led administration of the Federation of the Liberian Mandingos Association in the United States of America “FELMAUSA” is seriously concerned about situation within the Atlanta Mandingos Association. As a result of such concern and an invitation extended to the leadership of the federation, the administration has decided to take a two days trip to Atlanta Georgia to seek a peaceful settlement to what is perceived by many to be a problem. Members of the president’s delegation include; Abubarkar Soko Sackor and Abrahim A.S. Bility “the yet to be confirmed membership committee’s chairman.” It is the belief of this administration that every member chapter is equally important to the federation.
The administration will also be represented by King Mohamed-PRO of FELMAUSA, and Mrs. Felecia Bamba, treasure of the federation at the inauguration of the president elect of the Organization of the New York Mandingos “ONYMA,” Mr. Laye Sirleaf. The delegation is expected to leave for the city of New York on or before November 26, 2011. It is imperative that the federation be represented at both occasions because we believe that these organizations are all important to the success of the federation.
King Mohamed (2677028982)
FELMAUSA-PRO
www.felmausa.org
