The Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL) has elected a new corps of officers to run the organization for the next three years.
Those elected are Momo Allison Bainda, National Executive Director; J. Togar Seekpee, 1st Deputy Director for Administration; Khartouma Y. Grado-Harris, 2nd Deputy Director for Operation; Albert Scott, General Secretary; Ma-De Zoe Lake, Financial Secretary; Rev. J. Gardea Henry, Treasurer; Esther J.S. Clarke, Program Coordinator; Sam O.E. Cole, Relief Director; and Nathaniel Jackson, County Coordinator.
The election, which was conducted on a white ballot basis, was organized by the Adhoc Election Commission and comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights and civil society organizations. It was chaired by Jeremiah S. Swen as Chairperson.
Speaking shortly just after the election, National Executive Director-elect, Momo Allison Bainda, promised to work in the interest of elderly people in Liberia.
Director Bainda stated that beside members of COCAEL, other organizations which are taking care of elderly people across the country will be working together to help transform the living condition of the elderly in Liberia.
According to him, the National Commission for the Elderly in Liberia (NCEL) Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives in 2021 and is now before the Senate for concurrence, if passed into law will ensure that elderly people in Liberia are catered to through the national budget.
He maintained that the Bill to Establish the National Commission for the Elderly is before the Health Committee of the Liberian Senate, headed by the Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Dabah M. Varpilah, who brings it before the plenary of the Senate for concurrence with the House of Representatives.
Director Bainda noted that since the Liberian Civil War many elderly people have been neglected by their children, relatives and friends but when this elderly people’s bill is passed into law it will help enhance their living condition.
He acknowledged the effort of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, and others who have contributed towards the struggle of championing and advocating for the welfare of the elderly people in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Adhoc Election Commission, Swen, expressed thanks and appreciation to the elderly people for the manner in which they have conducted themselves during and after the election process.
He said those who are elected will be in office for three years, and after that others will have the opportunity to be elected, too, in the future.
He asserted that the National Commission for the Elderly in Liberia (NCEL) when establish will go a long way in improving the standard of living for elderly people in the country.
Swen underscored the need for those elected to do everything possible to lobby with partners and their lawmakers for the Senate to concur for the passage of the bill.
According to him, the passage of the bill into law will also benefit the younger generation in the near future, so all hands should be on deck to ensure that the Senate concurs and the President sign it into law.
