The Establishment Coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC), Counselor Yvette Chesson-Wureh, has urged Liberian women to support their colleagues in political processes and other higher offices in the country.
“I spoke to you about supporting women. When you open the door for one woman to step forward she will bring one more woman in. Don’t be women wing leader for any political party. You be the head to make decisions because it is you and the youth they are using,” she told her audience.
Further, she told the women to protect the peace that the country currently enjoys and not to allow themselves to be used by politicians but to step forward for higher posts in political parties.
“Those of you whom I talked to, I told you that the politicians’ children are not here: they are in Europe and America going to school to come back and take power for four or six years. They give you rice and chicken feet and you elect them because you are selling your votes.
“We have to take the peace of this country into our hand. We have to lead the peace. No UN coming. The people tire with us, so we have to do it for ourselves,” Dr. Chesson-Wureh said.
Chesson-Wureh made the statement Friday, August 12, 2022 at the Gbarnga Administrative Building when she spoke to hundreds of grassroots women and youths in Bong County during the closing of the first phase of the project, “Sustainable and Inclusive Peace in Liberia through Promoting Women Leadership and Participation in Civic and Political Life and their Strengthened Role in Conflict Resolution”.
The initiative is a flagship program of the ‘’Women Situation Room (WSR)”, initiated by the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in partnership with ZOA-Liberia with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
The elaborate program brought together hundreds of people, comprising of chiefs, women and youth leaders from 10 communities, including Gbarnga, Belefanai, Palala, Suakoko, Totota, Folobia, Gbartala, Salala, Cuttington and Wainsue.
Making Remarks at the program was former Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison, who extolled the Woman Situation Room (WSR). She said it has been inspiring for her and useful to the community people of Bong County.
“The activities of Angie Brooks cover a wide spectrum of the population. We assure you of our support because we want to see you doing better. Take advantage of the mediation in your communities to make sure that Liberia remains peaceful and stable,” the former NEC Chairman urged the beneficiaries.
Also making remarks during the ceremony, the former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Liberia, Olubanke King Akerele, told the grassroots women and youth that they were preparing themselves to take leadership. According to her, training is necessary for people who lead, and urged them to follow the distinguished role of Chief Suakoko in building the nation.
All of the participants who spoke paid homage to the Angie Brooks International Centre for the massive support and discussion on the importance of peace with the women and youth of Bong County, a discussion which has inspired them to spread non-violence and anti-drug messages across their communities.
They further thanked ABIC for creating the space for them to speak out and their voices heard. According to them, sometimes the ABIC gives them insight to make greater impact in the interest of their communities and the country, mentioning that ABIC continues its good work for the sake of peace and women empowerment.
“My people, let us keep talking to our communities about the good of peace and the bad of violence, and continue to tell our people, especially our children, that drug is not good. We thank Angie Brooks for the good job they are doing for us,” said Florence S. Barron, Chairlady of Palala.