Mr. Emmanuel Walker resides in the US. I too reside in the US. Both of us are in Liberia for different reasons. He’s here to explore the possibility of seeking election for the post of Representative in the House for the district of Harper in Maryland County. My visit is revolutionary - I am building human resource to be able to tackle the problems of our time and find lasting solutions to our national problems. Simply put, I'm into radical change within community empowerment.
Mr. Walker (my estimation) has been in Liberia for over six months. Based on what I know now, he wants to run for the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia. His possible bid will be for the district of Harper in Maryland County. Evidently, he’s attempting to take away Hon. James Biney’s job and put him on the unemployment line.
Mr. Walker and I live in the same state (Ohio).
I have been in Liberia over three years now. I have been traveling around the country for a while. Presently, I am in Maryland County. As a result, my current focus is on Maryland. I know many of my critics think I’m “bias.” From their arguments, they think I should remain tackling national issues than local. But they are not on the ground. I am. And so I know many things that they have not discovered yet. They have no clue that I have learned more than I have ever known. And so every decision I make depends on the reality on the ground - more practical than theoretical. Factually and conditionally, I now posses profound authority and knowledge on matters of social and political concerns in Liberia, particularly in Maryland County than ever before. So if anyone comes to Maryland to seek elective post and he or she doesn't find and talk with me, that person has little to gain. And that is because, he or she will not have access to practical education (hands-on) that I have under my belt over the years. If he or she doesn’t speak with me, he or she risks a lot. So if one intends to forge politics in Liberia, particularly in Maryland, I'm his or her man.
Somehow this situation almost knock Mr. Walker in the knee. But as a smart man, he quickly discovered the need to speak with me. And that save him the pain and unnecessary struggle.
On Friday, February 11, Armed Forces Day (National Holiday in Liberia), Mr. Walker placed a call to my cell phone. He asked me if he could visit with me. I agreed. And so he did. He visited with me along with his hometwown (Middletown) General Town Chief. His name is, Hon. Wilson.
Both men buzz me. And I opened the door. I welcomed them in my residence. Kola nut is usually served traditionally. And I'm aware of this by now because I have been in Liberia for a while and keep grounding with my people. But something strange happened: I did not have kola at that time. So he and I agreed, along with the Chief to postponed libation. I'm sure our Forefathers and Mothers also agreed with us. You know how they agreed? Our discussion was fruitful. Otherwise, it would have been chaotic.
Mr. Walker and I moved into the issues right away.
Mr. Walker informed me that since his arrival in Maryland, he has been misled. Was this confession new to me? No! So I wasn't surprised. He called names that betrayed his trust. But I won’t mention those name he called to me in here. Mr. Walker told me that certain individuals that I personally know had given him “bad” advice on a variety of issues including political contest ahead of him and others. I expressed my regrets for his misfortune.
Mr. Walker also asked for my advice. Why did he ask for my advice? Because I think he agrees that I have been on the ground in Liberia long enough to know the politics. So I responded in the affirmative. But I told him that my advice to him would be “free-of-charge.” We laughed and move on.
On Monday, February 14 - one day after - The First Meeting of the Kudemoweh and Numoweh Chiefdoms, Mr. Walker invited me to his residence on Marsh Street at the Barnes building.
I recall Mr. Walker displayed on that historic day when the two chiefdoms met. He displayed to the satisfaction of the audience. I remember I invited him to the Meeting. And the reason why I extended the invitation was for him to see and feel the work that I am doing on the ground in reuniting our people, even though since his arrival he refused to contact me.
At that Meeting Mr. Walker expressed strong faith in the traditions of our people. He also expressed his disappointment in the two chiefdoms - they used to be at one accord. But what happened now so much so they are at lockerhead? He couldn't figure that out. During his day both chiefdoms were united.
Mr. Walker verbally lambasted the people of the Numoweh Chiefdom for incarcerating their own children on charges of “murder.” More so, he admonished them to take proper steps in releasing them from prison.
He didn't stop there; He sent the same shot out to the Kudemoweh people accussing them A. T. Thompson's (one of theirs) incarceration. Like he did for the chiefdom, he encouraged them to immediately take steps to remedy the situation.
Mr. Walker did not back down the entire time. He kept blasting at both Chiefdoms until some of the chiefs present admitted and sought amends. Mr. Walker kept both Chiefdoms on their toes the whole time for failure to reunify their chiefdoms.
The sound of the applause Mr. Walker received in the building could have awaken Ma Lima. Well, if you did not know Ma Lima (my spelling), she was a woman who reared many kids under her roof. Jokingly we though she owned the biggest cotton tree in town. Because her house was directly beneath the Cotton Tree. And this was scary.
If anyone told you Mr. Walker was the “man“ of the day, then it is because he “stole’ the show. Mr. Wa Kla Neufville followed him up.
Mr. Neufville is also exploring the possibility of a bid for the office of Representative of Harper District, come October 2011 Election. So he and Mr. Walker are walking the same line. He spoke at the First Meeting and took both chiefdoms up to task, as well.
At the meeting with Mr. Walker( at his residence) on Marsh Street, series of issues were discussed. Among many things that were discussed are:
1) possible reunification of the two Chiefdoms,
2) The immediate release of those arbitrarily arrested and detained in March 2010,
3) The release of the youths arrested, detained and convicted in the Rocktown & Wetchukeh armed conflict,
4) Review and peruse the Grand Cavalla Convention where Ms. Helena Bedell was elected to represent the Kudemoweh Chiefdom. In that Covention vote, Mr. Walker came third,
5) Revisit the political Arrangement between the Kudemoweh and Numoweh Chiefdoms,
6) Inclusion of Diasporic Marylanders in burning issues in the County including how to upgrade a declining leadership in the County, clean a dirty city and to review corporations' failure to sign agreements beneficial to our people and county.
A lot of other burning issues were looked into. But for further discussion.
Mr. Walker’s visit and invitation reminds me of a good politician who is seeking the welfare and interest of his people. The rest of the other potential candidates failed to do so. They failed to reached out to discuss burning issues. As for James Norman Anderson and Amb. H. Dan Morais, they are seeking the office of Junior Senator. They call on me most of the time.
I believe Mr. Walker has learned a lot from me and vice versus.
Since I have no interest in elective or appointed office, I’m not under obligation to prove anything to anybody. So I work according to my Plan. All I seek is maximum result of my revolutionary work.
I promise Mr. Walker and other potential candidates my education, expertise and skills; But only if they so desire.
From what I see, Mr. Walker is heading in the right direction. I must admit; I don’t support some of his views. But he is and will make the right ripples in the process. That's what I think as a man, revolutionary and a social critic.
I see something in Mr. Walker I don't see in other potential candidates of the two chiefdoms who are seeking the office of Representative for Harper District. Maybe I am concluding too soon. And maybe, somewhere down the line, things will change for the best. i like to remain optimistic. But until then, I believe what is in a person is deeply integrated in his soul. What Mr. Walker is displaying means he has something on the inside that none of the other potential candidates have. This is based on what I see and know on the ground as a social critic.
If what I see doesn’t change in the attitude of potential candidates, I can easily conclude these potential candidates will do no better than the current leaders they are wishing to replace. If they are no bette then the guys they hoping to replace, then what's the heck?
There will be no difference at all, anyway! Then we might keep the "devils" we know than the "angels" we don't know. I hope this will not be true.
I am Thomas G. Bedell; I speak and work on the ground in Liberia.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment