Monrovia – The Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) over the weekend brought together some of Liberia’s old and new writers, publishers and librarians to discuss how writing could fast track Liberia’s development, and how to overcome challenges in the fields of writing, publishing, and running of a library.
The program was part of LAW’s 36th anniversary, celebrated at the University of Liberia, Monrovia, on Saturday, July 21. 2018.
This year’s program was titled “National Writers Symposium”, with the theme: “Strategic Writing for National Development”
LAW invited eleven persons to speak on writing, piracy, publishing, and the library.
Giving the Overview of the program, LAW’s president, Samuel G. Dweh, said the main objective of the program was for invited speakers to proffer solutions to problems in the writing areas, publishing, piracy, and in the library sector.
Dweh said the lack of interest in writing by majority of literate Liberians is the major cause of the slow growth of Liberia in all sectors, adding that writing spreads nation-building ideas faster and sustain them for a longer time than “spoken information” would do.
Speaking on “Writing & Research”, Mr. S. Kpanbayeazee Duworko, II, of the Department of Literature and English at the University of Liberia, said writers must glue themselves to the library.
“Nowadays, many established and new writers depend on the internet for research, but getting a mobile phone and data for research is not as easy as picking a book at a community library,” Mr. Duworko said.
Dr. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, a Liberian professor of Literature and English at the Pennsylvania State University, U.S.A spoke on “Creative Writing”, with much focus on poetry of which she has several books.
Dr. Wesley said poetry thrives on emotions, thoughts and images.
On the challenges of creative writing, she mentioned poor knowledge of the correct spellings and grammar for effective communication.
On solution, she advised writers to read English books continually, which would help them overcome the spellings and grammar challenge.
Presentation on “Christian Writing” was done by author, Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Zarwulugbo Liberty, Sr., Founder/President, Church of the Believers (Liberia); and Founder/President, Africa International Christian Mission, Inc., Boynton Beach, Florida, USA.
He said Christian Writing God’s writing on His ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, called The Ten Commandments, given to Moses to present to the Israelite nation leaving Egypt.
He said Christian Writing carries on the World View of Christianity.
He described one set of writers as Early Church Writers, and mentioned Apostle Paul as the most prolific writers of this set on his production of Thirteen Letters that later became known as “Books”.
Rev. Liberty also said that another group of Biblical writers, called The Church-Father-Writers, sprang up, replacing the Early Church Writers, He mentioned Ignatius of Antioch as one of the members of this group.
Another group of writers, called the Apologists, replaced the Church-Father-Writers, Rev. Liberty said, and mentioned Irenaeus of Lyons, Clements of Alexandria, and Turtellian as three of the members of this group.
On the challenges of Christian Writing, Rev. Liberty mentioned (some) Christian writers’ lack of understand of secular belief—homosexuality and lesbianism and abortion—and Christianity during the writing of their Christian Books.
On solution, he said anybody attempting to write a Christian Book must first undergo spiritual rebirth (born-again), and that the Christian writer should thoroughly read the Bible for God’s guidance for a Christian literature that can develop a nation.
Mr. Othniel Forte, author and publisher, speaking on Publishing, advised writers to have money available for the publication of their manuscript, instead of absolutely depending on the publisher to shoulder the entire process of publishing.
Professor J. Wil Mannie (Author), Lecturer, Department of English & Literature at the University of Liberia, spoke on “Academic Writing”.
He said Academic Writing calls for use of the right terms or jargons restricted only to the Academic Field, and that the writer producing an Academic Work should address visible beings. “You are not writing for ghosts or angels. They don’t read,” he cautioned.
Ms. Mae Azango, journalist, and author of “Voices of the Trumpetess” (a memoir of child abuse) spoke on “Women’s Issues” for the Book.
One of the challenges in this kind of writing, Ms. Azango noted, is (some) women’s objection against writings on harmful cultural practices like circumcision of women (Female Genital Mutilation)
She said her life was threatened during recent time, after her story about women’s circumcision appeared in a Liberian newspaper.
Speaking on The Importance of Library to the Writer, Madam Rita C. Pshor, president of the Liberia Library Association, advised writers to prioritize the Library over the Social Media (Facebook) because the former contains facts-based information from research, while the latter presents opinions or fabrications from “writers” who supply “information” (posts) to this platform of learning.
Mr. Charles B. Coffey, Jr., president of the Press Union of Liberia, was assigned to “Journalistic Writing: Fact against Fiction”, was present to do his presentation, but couldn’t speak due to the late start of the program.
Three of the invited speakers were absent at the program.
One was Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s former President, to speak on “Autobiographical Writing”, based on her autobiographical book (memoire), titled “This Child Will Be Great” (a memoir).
The second absent speaker was Mr. Dao Ansu Sonii, Minister of Education, to speak on Text Books.
The third person was Madam Theresa Thompson, Director, Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), to speak on Piracy.
The event was graced with the presence of prominent Liberians, including Dr. Evelyn D.S. Kankai (Author), former Minister of Education, and former Chairperson of the West African Examination Council (WAEC); Rev. Emmanuel Bowier (author), former Minister of Education; Hon. Olubanke-King Akerele (author), former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and current Executive Director of Liberian Institute of “Growing” Patriotism. Each of them pledged support to LAW’s future programs.
The Embassy of the People Republic of China, the Liberian Observer Corporation, publisher of the Daily Observer; the University of Liberia, and Representative Alex C. Grant, District #3, Grand Gedeh County, supported LAW’s 36th anniversary program.
Professor K. Moses Nagbe, LAW’s 3rd President, now living in the United States of America, supported the program with payment of rental fee for the venue for LAW’s 36th anniversary.
The Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) was founded by writers Mr. K. Moses Nagbe, Mr. Keith Best, Madam Althea Romeo Mark, Madam Patricia Jabbeh Wesley and other writers on the 17th of July, 1982 at the University of Liberia, Capitol Hill, Monrovia.