Kesselly addresses the community leaders
Campaign top men: Slewion Togba, Chairman, Steve Boley, PA Coordinator and Kesselly

To boost his chances of becoming the next president of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), veteran Liberian community activist and grass root political organizer met with a cross-section of community leaders in Philadelphia Sunday to layout his plan for the union’s successful existence

In the meeting well attended by his supporters and friends of his campaign, Kesselly extols the union for championing the cause of Liberians in the US and promises to even do more when he becomes its chief executive officer.

Kesselly is opting to lead the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA), which was formed in 1974 in the city of Philadelphia by Liberian students who saw the need to organize and impact political change in their homeland.

ULAA is the umbrella organization of 13 Liberian community chapters. Its leadership spins every two years. Elections to usher in new leaders will be held this October in Pittsburg, PA.

The union leaders are credited for triggering political change which led to the overthrow of President William R. Tolbert in 1980. The union was also effective in assuring that former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor was finally deposed of as president of Liberia. Taylor’s incursion into Liberia in 1990 led to the loss of thousand of lives and destroyed properties.

He currently faces charges of human right abuses and other forms of war crimes allegedly committed in Sierra Leona where he is accused of supporting another rebel group formerly known as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), which rained mayhem on the people of that country.

The ULAA presidential hopeful Kesselly promises to set a new trend in which the association is not only a political agitating organization, but an advocacy for the rights of Liberians in the USA, including the provision of social services and job skills development.

His administration also promises to set new direction and goals which will later become a vehicle for re-transplanting and redirecting the brain drain which started as a result of the bloody civil war in Liberia.

Prominent Liberian pastor, Rev. John K. Jallah, former Chairman of the Board of the Liberia Association of Pennsylvania (LAP) said he was “very pleased to be in this meeting and they say our children are running, but our own son is running and we must support him. He has the experience and ability to lead the Union."

Other speakers including Andrew Wongeh, former Treasurer of ULAA praised Kesselly, saying, “he has been a very active community leader who is being supportive of other communities of which he is not part. He's been involved with community activities for a long time and we need to support him in his ambition for the ULAA presidency."

Mrs. Adolphine Kannah, former President of the Grand Gedeh Association -PA Chapter added that she decided to attend the meeting in order to express her supports for the Kesselly and Gaye Sleh campaign team, “because Kesselly has been consistent in his dedication and commitment for community activities despite which leadership is in control of the community." 

Former maritime commissioner and community leader, Garrison Togba, who also served as president of the LAP pledged to do whatever is necessary to ensure a victory for the Kesselly team. "I am here because I believe it is important to honor the invitation of Kesselley and show my support for his candidacy for the ULAA presidency.” The former commissioner donated an amount of $200 to the campaign.

Ben Gbolowefur, former President of LAP noted that the Kesselly-Sleh team comprises most of “our best community leaders and I support the team. I am a strong supporter and they can count on me anytime." His wife, Priscilla Gboloweefur, also a community leader added, "We are here because of Kesselly and we will support him to the end."

Kesselly is among three other candidates for the ULAA presidency. Others include Abraham Massalay of Philadelphia and Dr. Mariah Seton of Illinois.

 

Source: FrontPageAfrica.com