Buchanan, Grand Bassa – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gbehzohngar Findley has expressed his intent to contest the December 8 Special Senatorial Election. His declaration of intent comes several weeks after several groupings in the county petitioned him to represent them at the Senate.
Report by Elton W. Tiah, Contributor
Findley at the time he was petitioned, being the Foreign Minister, told his kinsmen and women that he was going to consult the President of the county’s request before making any pronouncement on their petition at the time.
Speaking before an overwhelming crowd on Saturday, Findley said, “I have come to tell you that the President of the Republic of Liberia has agreed for me to return to you and work for you”.
He further stated “I want to let you know that you cry for development and good leadership has been listened to and I have come to contest for the upcoming 2020 senatorial election”.
Residents of Grand Bassa County from all five districts flooded the streets of Buchanan and matched from Monrovia Junction to Unification Pavilion where the former Senate Pro-Tempore spoke to the gathering.
Gbehzohngar Findley who once served as Senator of the county for 9 years, was massively defeated by current Senator Jonathan Kaipay during the 2014 Senatorial election.
In this December election, he would be contesting against the incumbent Nyonblee Kangar Lawerence, Magdalene Marnayee Harris, Charles Vah, Emmanuel Deakeay and Vincent Willie.
Findley was petitioned in July 2 by traditional leaders of Grand Bassa County along with youth and women groups to return to the county and represent them at the Senate by contesting the December 8 special election.
The Traditional leaders headed by the Chief Grand Zoe of Grand Bassa Edward Garmah, said they have evaluated all of the aspirants and believe that Findley is the most suited to make a representation for them.
“We have come to petition you to contest the 2020 Senatorial election in Grand Bassa County. I want to say sorry and inform you that what happened 2014 will not be repeated,” the chiefs said.
Reading the petition statement, Bassa Culture Coordinator Isaac B. Toe said they have come to the realization that what happened in 2014 was an error and begged Findley to accept their petition.
“We want to tell President Weah that we now know our wrongs and we need Mr. Findley to take over the county in 2020,” he added.
The petition further stated that “realizing his vision to promote peace and reconciliation which will bring all Bassa people together with a shared vision for a prosperous county; invest in agriculture and build the capacity of smallholder farmers and access to financing for sustainable livelihoods as being demonstrated through his ongoing county-wide agriculture development program, support youth and women empowerment by ensuring the enactment of deliberate policies that address the human resource needs of the county through scholarships, employable skills development, and adult literacy program.”
They also noted that through his presence at the Foreign Ministry as Minister, he has created opportunities for many young people in the county to travel abroad for educational advancement and has also been instrumental in the appointment & employment of more qualified Bassa citizens into responsible positions of trust in the country.
“Whereas, his persistence to ensure the economic viability of the County through Port Concession and the establishment of an Economic Free Zone in Grand Bassa which will attract more companies and job opportunities, and his quest to build a hundred-bedroom hospital which will address some of the current health constraints on the county health sector speak of his leadership qualities that is so desired right now in Grand Bassa,” the petition statement further noted.
Representative Matthew Joe of Buchanan District received the petition from the elders, stating that he would liaise with the County Superintendent, Janjay Baikpeh to take their petition to allow Foreign Minister Findley to return to the county to the President.
“I want to say to you my elders that the Superintendent and I will take the communication to President George Weah to hear from him,” he said. “The Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh and I will return to let you know the response from the President,” he added.