In a bid to promote national harmony and ensure a peaceful electoral process, People Uniting for Peace in Liberia (PUFPIL) has joined forces with the Better Future Foundation (BBF) to launch a comprehensive peace awareness program.
The initiative, marked by a ceremony held at the University of Liberia Auditorium over the weekend, saw distinguished guests, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives from a number of peace-building organizations coming together to support the critical endeavor.
The keynote address was delivered by Adolphus Kawa, who represented Dr. Laurence Konmla Bropleh. Kawa emphasized the importance of peace, unity and security in Liberia, particularly in the face of the up-coming presidential and legislative elections.
According to him, the successful conduct of the elections lies not only on the government but also on the collectivity of all citizens, institutions and stakeholders.
He called on Liberians to reject any form of violence, hate speech or incitement that could undermine the progress the country has made. He reminded the audience that violence knows no boundary, affecting individuals from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, tribe, religion or social status.
He called for a united front in safeguarding peace and rejecting any attempt to disrupt national stability.
Dr. Bropleh acknowledged the positive impact of sustained peace on education, highlighting the increasing enrollment of young people in universities and implored the youth to reject offers that may lead to their militarization and manipulation. He urged them to become agents of peace and ambassadors for the future, and encouraged them to actively participate in the peace awareness program and contribute to the construction of a harmonious society.
At the same time, the head of the organization, Atty. Asatu Bah Kanneh, said that the launch of PUFPIL’s Peace Awareness Program marks a significant milestone in the organization’s effort to foster, maintain and promote peace in Liberia.
The program aims to enhance collaboration between peace-building organizations and local and international partners, fostering reconciliation and unity across the nation. PUFPIL has already achieved important milestones, such as the official launch of the organization, the establishment of county chapters, and the creation of community peace cells in key locations.
Atty. Kanneh said PUFPIL faces challenges, particularly regarding funding and, currently, the organization relies on membership support. She emphasized the crucial need for financial resources to sustain and expand their peace-building activities.
According to her, in the light of this, PUFPIL expresses gratitude to its dedicated members, and called for further support from the government, international partners and philanthropic organizations to ensure the program’s effectiveness and longevity.
As Liberia enters a critical election period, the launch of “PUFPIL’s Peace Awareness Program stands as a beacon of hope”. With the collective efforts of the government, civil society and the general public, the nation strives to create an environment of peace, unity and progress, setting a strong foundation for a brighter future.