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Grand Bassa County: Three Candidates Snub Townhall Debate
No reasons were given for the absence of three out of the eight candidates in the upcoming December 8 poll at the first major townhall debate held in Buchanan.
Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, former Foreign Affair Minister Milton Gbehzohngar Findley, and Mr. Anthony Barchue were all absent at a debate meant to gauge the candidates’ platforms and allow voters weigh-in on their respective plans for the county.
Malcom Joseph, Executive Director of the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP), said on November 26 at the start of the debate that the event was organized to give candidates the opportunity to illustrate in a precise and concise way, how they will address challenges face by the people of the county when they are elected.
The debate took place at the Unification Pavilion in Buchanan, where supporter bringing together supporters of the five candidates.
Candidates Mr. Emmanuel Deakeay, Representative Vicent Willie, Mr. Charles Vah, Mr. Dave Dixon and Madam Magdalene Harris were the five candidates who attended.
They addressed key topics encompassing how they would deal with agriculture and food security, corruption, bad road condition, misuse of the County and Social Development Funds, health, education, forestry industries, and community benefits from mining and the controversial constitution referendum, amongst others.
The conduct of the debate was supported by Internews Liberia with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Bong County: Youth Calls for Peaceful Election
Jutomue Dagar Mulbah, Youth and Sports Coordinator for Bong County, has called on young people to remain peaceful during and after the senatorial election.
He said young people must be aware that maintaining and promoting the peace is paramount to all despite political differences.
“Election can come and go but we will still be here. Let change our way of doing or handling issues in our different communities,” Mr. Mulbah said in an interview with LocalVoicesLiberia in Gbarnga.
As Youth Coordinator added that educating citizens especially the young people about a peaceful lection is very crucial. He then encouraged eligible voters across the county to come out on election day and vote their choice.
Mulbah, is at the same time, urging the National Elections Commission (NEC) to conduct a free, fair and a transparent election across the country.
A free, fair, and transparent electoral process will further inform the international community that Liberia is heading for transformations in the subregion, he said.
Grand Kru County: Businessman Wants Violent-Free Polls
A businessman in Grand Kru County has called on all candidates of the pending senatorial election to consider non-violent approaches.
Alfred Boe wants people of the county to maintain the peace, before, during and after the election, noting that “peace must top the political agenda of every senatorial candidate and political party in the county”.
He cautioned candidates, political parties, and voters against violence. “I want to appeal to all political parties, senatorial candidate and Grand Kru citizens to avoid bad approaches to each other during this campaign period and elections, our county has the good imagine of maintaining peace during elections over the years,” he said.
Speaking with LocalVoicesLiberia, he said even though there are political differences and hate speeches, citizens must make the rightful choice.
“We have our tribal candidate and personal friends in the race, but we have to make a good choice, know the best person to transform this county in terms of development,” he added.
Grand Cape Mount County: Preparing Teachers for New School Year
Over 81 teachers at schools in Sinje Garwul District have completed a three-day training ahead of the reopening of schools in the county.
The training was organized by Bridge International, according to Shevell E. Scott. It comes following the training of 58 school principles in the county. Scott said the exercise is to buttress government effort ahead of the new school year.
Meanwhile, with COVID-19 not yet over, one of the participants, Mr. Gbassa Sonii said some teachers are afraid going back to school. He said there should be “serious health measures” put into place before schools can reopen.
This content sharing initiative is supported by Internews under the Liberia Media Development program, with funding from USAID-Liberia. However, these contents are gathered and published independently by Local Voices Liberia, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funder.