Monrovia – As part of its advocacy initiative, the Faith and Justice Network (FJN) of Liberia has launched its 2019 Annual Church Leaders Conference bringing together more than 40 participants comprising of church leaders, policymakers, faith-based institutions, human rights institutions, civil society organizations, experts and others to analyze and understand the ongoing debates around constitutional reform through referendum.
FJN builds alliance with civil society organizations within the Mano River Basin countries to campaign against social injustices, foster ethical development and promote a just and peaceful society. Also, FJN empowers citizens and societies to address systemic socio-economic inequalities, to help themselves, their families, and their communities to build a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous future.
The church leaders’ annual conference under the theme, “Amendment Formulas and Basic Design Options for the Constitution of Liberia,” comes at the time when the constitution needs to be protected against all forms of short-term changes or changes hastily approved without due reflection and consideration by citizens.
FJN believes that if the constitution is to endure, it must be able to respond to changing needs, circumstances of the citizens, and correct provisions that have proved inadequate overtime.
The well-attended two-day conference which was launched on Thursday, October 3rd, at a local hotel, provided pastors and church workers with the importance to give good, well-informed, context relevant support to local community leaders on constitutional amendment issues in a quick and easy way during worship services. The conference informed church leaders about appropriate options that fit the ongoing constitutional debate process in Liberia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, FJN Regional Executive Director Rev. Dr. Tolbert T. Jallah said the conference was aimed at informing church leaders to understand the design and amendment process that allows the Constitution to be changed for the public good of the citizens so that they (church leaders) can educate their congregations on wise constitutional decisions especially as debates on constitutional reform are in every quarter of Monrovia.
“Liberia’s current constitution is among the oldest on the continent. Not much has been done even after 14 years of civil war that repeatedly tested the responsiveness of the Constitution to political crises. The Liberian constitution is not immutable. It must be able to respond to changing needs, circumstances of the citizens, and correct provisions that have proved inadequate overtime. It must establish the system of good governance, distribute and constraint power, protect the rights of citizens and deal with various issues or substantive policy that are considered foundational in the context of Liberia,” noted the FJN’s Boss.
In her remarks as keynote speaker, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, former Chairperson of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), urged the Church Leaders to educate their congregations about the impacts of the ongoing constitutional amendment process in the country.
She wants the Church to serve as the guidance for the population on whether to vote in favor or against a proposition during the pending referendum.
She lamented that clerics of the land should comport themselves at all times as messengers of trust.
The renowned Liberian lawyer intoned that she has observed that the ordinary people have no trust in government officials due to corruption, lack of transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, the FJN’s Putting Justice at the Heart of Faith Church Leader’s conference was graced by eminent personalities, including the Ambassador of Sweden, Madam Ingrid Wettergvist, River Gee County Senator Conmany Wesseh, Nimba County Representative Larry P. Yonquoi, National Peace Ambassador, Rev. William R. Tolbert, III, Sister Mary Laurene Brown, including several prominent clergymen amongst others. It was also characterized by two panel discussions on the topics: “What risks might be associated with the use of referendum, and how might these be mitigated and what role should the people have in consenting to constitutional amendments?”