Monrovia – The Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) has been ‘lifted’ few inches from the bottom of a financial abyss preventing implementation of the Association’s earmarked national projects by the current leadership of LAW.
Report by Samuel G. Dweh, Contributor
The rescue came through two of Liberia’s authors: Mrs. Evelyn D.S. Kandakai, former Minister of Education and former Chairperson of the West African Examination Council (WAEC); and Mr. Abraham Paye Conneh, Chief Executive Officer of Liberia Education and Advocacy Research Network (LEARN)
The rescue platform was a program tagged “Literary Benefit Recital (In support of the Liberia Association of Writers)”
Part of the information on the invitations says: “20% of the proceeds from this Recital Benefit will be donated to the Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) to support the organization”
The program was held on Friday, August 17, 2018 at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship Center on 9th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia.
“Similar fundraising event was held for the Foundation of African Women Educationalists, FAWE, years back, and we raised around one thousand United States Dollars,” Madam Kandakai, a doctorate degree holder, said at the event.
Dr. Kandakai, the author of books of poetry, prose, and a non-fiction—including “The Village Boy”, “Normal Times”, and “Facing the Sun”—read two poems—“People of the City” and “The Friends of My Youth”— out of her repository of poems.
“People of the City was written in 1972,” she recalled.
Mr. Abraham Paye Konneh, the author of “Preparing for Love & Marriage” and “The Liberian Dream”, said the event was a ‘solidarity one’ for financially handicapped LAW.
He lamented most of Liberia’s lag in support to national literary activity, especially on the production of books for the nation, compared to her fellow African sisters (countries).
He read excerpts of “Preparing for Love & Marriage”, focused his reading on a subheading, “Breaking Up Without Cracking Up”
There were readings by some of the invited guests.
Mr. James Dwalu, former president of LAW, read from his book, “Hunting At Night”.
Mrs. Matenna Rose Dunbar, one of Liberia’s famous poets, read some of her poetic pieces.
Mr. Gbawu Woiwor, LAW’s Vice President for Administration, read two poems, including “Ma, Where is Papa?” (poem)
Mr. Samuel Kpanbayeazee Duworko, II, lecturer in English and Literature at the University of Liberia, read three poems, including “Literatti”
19-year-old Liberian author, Abraham Soko Sheriff, read from his novel, “The Heart of A Stranger in the Market Place”, which is an allusion to colonialism in many other parts of Africa
Ms. Jessica Morris, an 11th grade student of the St. Teresa’s Convent Catholic High School, in Monrovia, read “A Proud African Woman” (poem)
Crystal Atoka, a 12th grade student the St. Teresa’s Convent Catholic High School, in Monrovia, read “The Power of the African Woman” (poem)
Poetry recitals were also done by Rev. Paul Seidi and Prof. J. Wil Mannie (writer), lecturer in English and Creative Writing at the University of Liberia.
Ms. Nusone Perkins, age 19, studying Criminal Justice and International Relations at Cuttington University, in Bong County, read “Melaine Walk of the African Woman”, which received the most emotionally charged ovation from the audience.
Some of the invited names on the ‘reading list’ were absent at program. Two were Dr. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, poet and author, and founding member of LAW, and lecturer in English and Literature at the Pennsylvania State University, USA; and Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan (poet), former Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.
Other invited writers present were not lucky to be called up to read excerpts of their respective works. Mr. Gii-Hne Russel, LAW member, and author of “Time To Bathe” and “Burning The Farm”; and Kpana Gaygai, author of a civil war story of Liberia, were two of the unlucky ones.
The Readings Session was followed by Remarks segment.
Mr. Abraham Charlie, an Information Technology consultant, advised LAW on visibility, through having literary activities regularly, which would attract people’s attention and support to the Association
The program’s Emcee, Mrs. Benetta Joko Tarr, an official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), advised LAW to have a radio program, especially on ECOWAS Radio (formerly UNMIL Radio) for the publicity of its programs or activities.
During his Vote of Thanks, the president of LAW, Samuel G. Dweh, promised the organizers of the event that his leadership will use, for its intended, any amount given to from the ‘Recital Benefit’ program.
Dweh, an author of five books, and a journalist, advised each official of LAW to use his her writing knowledge or skills to fetch money for the Association by writing about nation-building activities by persons, Liberian or foreign organizations, and Diplomatic Missions of Liberia’s foreign Development Partners, instead of depending on ‘alms’ from other people or organizations for LAW’s earmarked programs.
“Let’s work with our writing talents or learned skills in writing, instead of begging,” the LAW leader challenged his colleagues.
Through Mr. Abraham Paye Conneh, the organizers of “Recital Benefit” program presented to LAW’s president Samuel G. Dweh a white envelope containing two hundred United States Dollars (US$200) and four thousand, six hundred and thirty-five Liberian Dollars (LD$4,635) at the event hall.
The Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) was founded on July 17, 2017 at the University of Liberia by Mr. Keith Neuville Best (1st President), Mr. K-Moses Nagbe (3rd president, now based in the USA), Mrs. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley (now teaching English and Creative writing at Pennsy…State Univ, USA), Madam Althea Romeo Mark (now based in Switzerland), and many other Liberians.
The current leadership of LAW is made of Samuel G. Dweh (President), Gbawu Woiwor (Vice President for Administration), Mr. G. Addy Cummings (Secretary General), Charles Tiah (Vice President for Operations), Madam Elfreda Johnson (Treasurer) and Paul Walker (Financial Secretary)
The current leadership took office on February 10, 2017, after being elected during the Association’s general elections on December 9, 2017.