In January 2018, the Chiefs, Elders and Leaders of Bong County gathered at the Administrative Building in Gbarnga, Bong County to celebrate 2 great events.
The events were the Birthday celebration of their daughter and the celebration for the first female Vice President of Liberia, who hailed from Bong County. During the celebrations which lasted from the early morning to the evening , when prayers were offered for VP Taylor; to a meeting with the Chiefs and Elders for their blessings and then the official program at the Administrative building; BONG COUNTY CITIZENS came out in mass to celebrate with one of their favorite daughters and to celebrate the success of their participation in a process which produced a Bong County Citizen as Vice President for the first time in history and brought a new government into power.
During these celebrations, the incoming Vice President was honored and gowned in the traditional ways and given a new Kpelleh name – PONOFALO; by the Chiefs and Elders; meaning –the LIGHT that can’t be hidden. During the period of advice, she was reminded that though she had been elevated to this high seat, she should never forget the people from Bong and all across the Nation; who had raised her up, stood with her and remained committed to her. As a result she had been given the name which signified their light. The elders told her that irrespective of where her journey took her, she should always remember where she belonged and it was expected that during her National duties she should not forget the promises made to them. After all was said, PONOFALO, thanked them for lifting her up to this level, by their prayers and counsel; and then pledged her support to do all within her power to fulfill promised made. With this pledge to her people, she began her journey along with the President of Liberia, President George Manneh Weah. As the Nation enters its 3rd year, the people of Bong County and Liberians at large have begun wondering – what has she been able to achieve; in-spite of some challenges? Our reporters went on a tour to find the answers that many are seeking.
Our reporters found out that on the National front, the Vice President has extended the activities of her NGO, the Jewel Starfish Foundation (created 20 years ago), throughout the length and breadth of Liberia. She has ensured that under privileged girls are given the opportunity to be enrolled, remain in school, and receive mentorship and leadership training; which encourages the next generation of female Leaders. Her beneficiaries can be found in every County – from Grand Kru to Grand Cape Mount; in excess of over one thousand five hundred girls from 7th grade through the University. It is expected that over the next few years the number of beneficiaries will be over 5000 girls.
In Bong County her home, which the VP affectionately calls the NATION’S HEART BEAT; the Vice President has quietly continued her work. Though one may not regularly hear her strong voice speaking on the local radio stations about issues in the County; she is quietly making significant impact; in an attempt to remain the Light of Bong County. Considering her promises and commitment to her people over the years, Vice President Howard-Taylor is leading lobbying efforts and the implementation of several projects in Bong County as follows:
HEALTHCARE – After taking office, the Vice President after rehabilitation works on the Ahmed Sekou Toure Health Center (which she had rebuilt from scratch, paid from a portion of her social development fund); aggressively lobbied with Samaritan’s Purse for its furnishing and equipping of the facility also known as the Jorwah Health Center in Panta District, Bong County; located on the Guinean border. This facility after being equipped and furnished was turned over by the Vice President to be managed by the Ministry of Health. Today after barely 2 years, this critical health center caters to over forty five thousand residents of Bong County and citizens from the lower parts of the Republic of Guinea.
The Vice President in collaboration with members of the Budget, Ways and Means Committee of the Legislature and the Ministry of Health; also lobbied for funds for the rehabilitation and furnishing of the Gbenequelleh Clinic in Jorquelleh District#2. This facility was also built under the auspices of the Vice President; whilst Senator of Bong; but unfortunately had not been financed for opening and operations. During the 2017 campaign, the Vice President promised her loyal constituents from District #2; who had stood faithfully by her in 3 successive elections; that this facility would be rehabilitated and finally opened. The citizens in this district had been patiently waiting for this facility to be opened which would offer critical care for them, as they were far away from Gbarnga. Today, this facility which had been built over 6 years ago but never used, and lying in ruins is being rehabilitated and being prepared for opening and use, hopefully within the next 3 months.
Gbenequelleh Clinic facility constructed in 2013
INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS – Upon taking Office and during the first visit of President Weah to Bong County; the Vice President took the Presidential delegation to 2 critical places – the Gbarnga Broad Street which should have been completed during the tenure of the last Government; but laid incomplete as a sore eye for all. During that visit, the Vice President pleaded with President Weah to see the need for the completion of the Pavement work on the Gbarnga main street which connects the County’s administrative building, the United Methodist and Catholic Compounds including several important parts of the city. Thankfully the President agreed that the Ministry of Public Works should ensure that it was completed. Today that segment of road is almost complete.
Gbarnga main streets (past and present)
Another project is the fulfillment of the construction of a modern vocational training center in the famous but dilapidated mining community of Bong Mines in Fuamah District. This project commenced but has not yet been completed. It was stalled as a result of lack of funding to complete same; but it is expected that it will be completed before the end of 2020; after which the NVTI Institution for vocational training will operate it and provide skills training for the benefits of the residents of Fuamah District and parts of Gbapolu, Margibi and Montserrado Counties.
Ground breaking for Fuamah Vocational Training Institute
Also under infrastructure, the George M. Weah Community Center was built in Tamay-ta Jorquelleh District#2. This center was built as a commitment by the Aspirant Weah to the people, as he toured Bong County during the campaign. When he stopped in this town, the meeting was being held under a palm thatch hut and he promised that upon his election; he would ensure the building of a townhall for residents. This promise was fulfilled and a large brand new town hall was formally turned over to the community towards the ending of 2018. The community center provides the opportunity for the people of that district to gather and discuss critical national and local issues relating to the development of their respective towns and villages. During its dedication, Vice President Howard-Taylor also provided to the management of the center a 5kva generator and a DSTV and TV set for their entertainment on behalf of the President.
President George Weah Community Center
EDUCATION – the Vice President continues to fund her passion for providing education for all. Her programs include scholarships for needy students at Cuttington University, the Bong County Community College and several grade schools including the St. Martins Catholic School, the St. Mark’s Lutheran School, William V.S Tubman Grey United Methodist School, St. Peter’s Episcopal School, Alexandra A. Andrews Academy, Islamic Solidarity School, Liberia Muslim Youth Association School, Gboveh High School, Yanquoi Bee High School, E.J Yancy School, Martha Tubman, Kerkulah Giddings and Gboto Barclay High Schools amongst others. Upon the commencement of the 2018 -2019 school year, the office of Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor donated more than 100 cases of textbooks and 8 desktop computers to major public schools including the Gboto Barclay High School in Bong Mines, the Kerkulah Giddings High School in Sanoyea, the E.J Yancy High School in Salala and the Gboveh High School in Gbarnga city.
Pastures of Scholarship students along with their parents, as well as chiefs and cross section of citizens gathered in Gbarnga to extend birthday felicitations to VP Howard-Taylor and presentation of text books and computers
Key amongst other interventions, the Vice President in 2018, in an attempt to provide mobility for the newly appointed Bong County Commissioners and the then head of the traditional Council; who stood with the CDC, against the ruling UNITY PARTY; donated a Toyota pickup to the Chief; 15 motorcycles to the 13 commissioners from the Administrative Districts of Bong County and local administration of the county. She also provided boxes of assorted medical supplies to health facilities including the Bong Mines Hospital; the Jorwah Health Center and the Sanoyea Health Center, amongst others.
Presentation of vehicle, motorcycles, and medical supplies
Bong Technical College in the past
The President has also approved that major feeder roads in the leeward Counties be considered part of his infrastructure plan for Liberia. In Bong County, plans are underway for the assessment and costing of the pavement of the 100 km road and solar power electrification of parts of a major route through the largest district in Bong County – Sanoyea District; the land area which commences from the Totota junction to Sanoyea to Gbonota to Beletanda to Phebe junction. This road connects three major agriculture producing communities and the St. Paul River adjacent to parts of Gbarpolu County; amongst other communities and when completed will contribute to the overall growth and development of the national economy in general; but will encourage the planting of more agricultural farms in the area and improve the lives of thousands of citizens in that part of the County; bringing to reality the CDC’s pledge of POWER TO THE PEOPLE.
Past rehabilitation work on Totota junction to Sanoyea to Gbonota to Beletanda to Phebe junction road
These major interventions of the Vice President over the last two years, has encouraged leaders and residents of the County to commend her; offering prayers for the success of the government and for the safety and continued engagement of the Vice President on behalf of her people. The Vice President has commended, His Excellency President Weah for his support towards the Bong County initiatives; and prays for the peace and success of this government and our Nation as a whole. By these activities; we can indeed say that PONOFALO is continuing to keep the light burning not only in Bong; but across the Nation.
