CDC-USA hold Inauguration Gala in Philadelphia


PRESS RELEASE

Philadelphia, U.S.A

CDC-USA, the Diaspora arm of the leading opposition political party in Liberia, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), held a successful weekend of activities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from October 15th through October 17th, 2010. A ten-person delegation led by CDC-Liberia’s Vice National Chairman for Operations Adama Samolah, and Representative Rufus Neufville, CDC’s National Legislative Caucus Chairman graced the occasion. Members from various Liberian opposition political parties also attended the events, to join the CDC in celebrating its USA branch’s new dynamic leadership team; notable amongst them were Israel Akinsanya, the Liberty Party National Chairman, who proxied for his Political Leader Counselor Charles Brumskine and, Destiny Party’s Political Leader, Ambassador Nathaniel M. Barnes. Also in attendance were representatives of Liberian Community Organizations and friends of CDC.

The weekend activities began on Friday night, October 16, 2010, with a Meet and Greet held at Shikira Hall, one of Philadelphia’s exquisite event centers. CDC’s Standard Bearer, Ambassador George M. Weah was thrilled that the Liberian opposition is building a momentum towards a unified coalition with a single slate of candidates. Weah recognized the CDC delegation from Liberia, which also included CDC National Legislative Caucus Secretary General Representative Regina Sokan Teah of Montserrado County’s District #10, Caucus Member Representative Edward Forh of District # 12, National Secretary General Eugene Lenn Nagbe, Deputy National Secretary General Acarous Gray, National Membership and Mobilization Chairman Ernest J. Clarke, Montserrado Chairman C. Mike Doryen, National Chaplain General Louise Karmon and thanked them for honoring the invitation to attend the Inaugural Gala event and deliberate on pertinent party issues with the Diaspora arm of the CDC. Weah cautioned CDCians to embrace the new wind of change saying, “The political leadership of Liberia is not about me or any one individual.”

On Saturday, October 17, 2010 CDC-USA hosted an Inaugural Gala under the theme “Country First: Together We Can Transform Liberia”. Destiny Party’s Political Leader and also Liberia’s most recent Ambassador to the United States, Amb. Nathaniel Barnes delivered a motivating and powerful keynote address that roused the emotion of the audience. Examining the leadership of his former boss, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Ambassador Barnes did not mince words saying, “The moral compass of [the current Liberian leadership] has not steered us in the direction of national renewal that the everyday man or woman can follow.” Amb. Barnes then used the occasion to summon a Liberian opposition unity, “We must now focus on re-gaining the ground that we lost by re-grouping, getting serious, engaging and recruiting enlightened people that can tackle the issues that have become even more difficult since 2005.”

A prepared message presented by Representative Edward Forh, on behalf of Ambassador Weah stated that, “Within the next 12 months, presidential and legislative elections are to be held in Liberia. Politicians, political parties and all citizens – both at home and abroad, will be vigorously engaging in a national changing process.” He further angled that, “To truly navigate the right political path, the Liberian opposition must unite into a singular movement.” Weah cautioned that the Liberian opposition must commit themselves to the struggles of ordinary citizens because the outcome of the 2011 elections “will determine whether Liberia continues to sink into abject poverty due to unrestrained corruption in government or emerges into an era of change.”

Inaugurating the newly elected National Officers of CDC-USA, CDC’s Legislative Caucus Chair Representative Rufus Neufville burdened the executive leadership of CDC-USA, “to serve the greater good of all CDCians.” Those inaugurated were: Alfred M. D. Jardiah, Sr., Chairman; Christopher D. Wisner, Vice-Chairman for Administration; Isaac Vah Tukpah, Jr., Vice-Chairman for Operations; W.E. Saydee-Tarr, Secretary General; St. Tomalin N. George, Treasurer; Max T. Jardiah, Sr., Financial Secretary; Abraham Chea Tucker, Deputy Secretary General. CDC Montserrado County Chairman C. Mike Doryen, speaking on behalf of the delegation from Liberia, lauded the efforts of CDC-USA and extended warmest greetings from all CDCians in Liberia, stating that the partisans in Liberia “view CDC-USA as a critical component to the success of CDC.”

Speaking on behalf of CDC-USA, newly elected National Chairman Alfred M.D. Jardiah, Sr., expressed his greatest joy that within a short span of time, the new executives of CDC-USA have been able to mobilize such massive interest in the agenda of the CDC in the United States. Chairman Jardiah thanked the CDC delegation from Liberia and extended an open invitation to all Liberians, to join the CDC struggle for a New Generational leadership in Liberia. Chairman Jardiah used the occasion to thank the international community and Liberia’s partners for the enormous support given to Liberia since the end of our bloody civil war. “Liberia’s democracy needs a level playing field for the opposition…” Chairman Jardiah stated, and called upon the international community to support a free and fair election process in Liberia.

In closing, CDC-USA’s Vice Chairman for Operations, Isaac Vah Tukpah, Jr., launched the “1000 4 $1000 (K4$K)” Fundraising project geared to raising a minimum of $1,000,000 for voters education, voters registration, and grassroots campaign mobilization. The objective is to have a minimum of 1000 CDCians contribute a minimum of $1,000 each to achieve this lofty bootstrapping goal. The K4$K campaign netted total pledges of $20,699.99. For more information on this fundraising effort and upcoming quarterly CDC professional conferences, please visit the CDC website at www.cdcliberia.org. .

Signed:
Sidiki Fofana
National Communication Director, CDC-U.S.A