AN IRREPLACEABLE LOSS - Dr. Joseph Mamadee Woah-tee is Dead UBCAA has confirmed with the family of the late Dr. Joseph Mamadee Woah-tee that memorial services will be held on Saturday July 18, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Exact location and time will be announced as they are made available by the family. UPDATES: .Baltimore Police still searching for two African American men as possible suspects .No arrest made as yet .Family members have decided to inter the remains of Dr. Woah-tee in Liberia .Memorial Services will be held on Saturday July 18, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. ------- Convention 2009 - Trenton, New Jersey  July 10 - 12 THEME: “Creating Togetherness For The Common Good of All Liberians” VENUE - Saturday July 11, 2009 @ 9:00 AM The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 189 South Broad Street Trenton, NJ 08607 (609) 396-2411 BALL - Saturday July 11, 2009 @ 8:00 AM Trinity Cathedral 801 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08618 (609) 392-3805 Website: www.trinitycathedralnj.org NOTE: Chapter sitting fee is $500.00 and individual package cost is $75.00. If you will not attend the convention, please send your package fee by your chapter president or call me via (216) 659-4283 to arrange to mail your fee.  Click HERE for more... Kokoyah District, Gbatala-Fenutolee, The City Of Gbarnga Get Major Highway Projects. The main Gbarnga-Kokoyah highway, Gbatala-Funetolee highway and the streets of Gbarnga are being rehabilitated according to Hon. George Mulbah, Chairman of the Bong Legislative Caucus and Hon. Mulbah Tokpa of Bong County and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative of the Republic of Liberia. Disclosing this in E-mail to the President of UBCAA, Hon. Mulbah said that on April 28, 2009 the Management of Firestone accepted a request from him and Hon. Tokpah to recondition..Click HERE for more... ------- UBCAA Seeks Updates On Bong County Development Agenda (CDA) The national administration of UBCAA has requested from Superintendent Ranney B. Jackson and members of the Bong Legislative Caucus updates on the Bong County Development Agenda which was compiled by the government of Liberia in July 2008. The document as compiled by the Government of Liberia outlined development initiatives with timelines and milestones. Click HERE for more... Radio Gbarnga Receives National Award From PUL Radio Gbarnga, a community radio station operating in Gbarnga Bong County has received a national award from the Press Union of Liberia (PUL). According to Mr. William Quire, Managing Director of Radio Gbarnga, the station was selected from a pool of 54 community radio stations. UBCAA salutes Radio Gbarnga for the recognition as it made Bong County and its citizens proud. UBCAA hopes Radio Gbarnga continues to get support as it serves our people. ------------------------ National President Installs New Officers For Bong Kwatekeh Saturday May 2, 2008 was a festive day for citizens of Bong County residing in the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. It was the dawn of a new era in the existence of Bong Kwatekeh, the Minnesota Chapter of the United Bong County Association in America. The new era, installation of the new leadership of Bong Kwatekeh. The program started at about 5:00PM CST at the International Community Center with Mr. Frank Clinton on the microphone as MC. The guest speaker Mr. Kerper Dwanyen, President of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) delivered a rousing message to the citizens of Bong County and representatives of other organizations present. Mr. Dwayne praised citizens of Bong County residing in Minneapolis/St. Paul for their valuable services to the Liberian Community. He said Bong Kwatekeh was a model organization that every Liberian organization in Minneapolis/ St. Paul should emulate. Your humble servant, the national President of UBCAA installed the new leaders. In a brief statement, he challenged members of Bong Kwatekeh to support their new leaders so that Bong Kwatekeh can remain a viable entity of UBCAA. He extended greetings from the national administration and other chapters of UBCAA and called on the new leadership to continue the tradition of strong leadership that has been the trademark of Bong Kwatekeh. Before installing the new leaders, the national president installed the members of Bong Kwatekeh as testament of their commitments to support the new leadership. After installing the members, the National President installed the following as new leaders of Bong Kwatekeh: D. Nalon Kaine - President Richard S. Sondah - Vice President Caimon J. Kollie - Secretary General Anthony S. Kanneh - Treasurer Nathaniel D. Shaajlia - Financial Secretary Alfred Flomo - Chaplain In his inaugural address, the new Chapter President D. Nalon Kaine promised members of Bong Kwatekeh his administration' s commitments to building a strong chapter. He called on them to support his administration, as he was ready to move full speed ahead with developments in the community and in Bong County. He informed the audience that Bong Kwatekeh was undertaking $10,000 projects in Bong County to include sponsoring 10 Bong County students in Liberia at various academic levels during the next academic year among others. He stated that his administration, with the support of the citizens of Bong County and other philanthropic groups in Minneapolis/St. Paul would undertake other projects in Bong County. He acknowledged the President of the national administration of UBCAA for his presence, and promised to bring a large delegation to include members of other organizations to the upcoming UBCAA national convention in Trenton, NJ. An impromptu fund raising event was held and over $1,850 was raised. In his vote of thanks, the new Vice President Mr. Richard S. Sondah thanked the gathering for honoring Bong Kwatekeh's invitation to attend the program. He thanked the national administration and other organizations for their representations. The program ended with refreshments at the International Community Center. Guests then proceeded to the residence of Mr. & Mrs. D. Nalon Kaine where they twisted and danced the night away. The national administration of UBCAA salutes the citizens of Bong County in Minneapolis/St. Paul for the smooth transition. It welcomes President Kaine and members of the new leadership and wishes them God's speed and good luck. Finally, the National President would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to the National Vice President of UBCAA Ms. Ethel Lablah Livingstone who met him at the airport and drove him to the residence of Mr. & Mrs. D. Nalon Kaine. He also likes to thank D. Nalon Kaine who drove him from his residence to the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Garsinii where he spent the night. Special thanks and appreciation are in order for Mr. & Mrs. Garsinii who received and welcomed the National President in their home with open arms and treated him like a KING. Mr. Garsinii was kind enough to take the National President to the airport on Sunday morning for his return flight to Cleveland, Ohio. -------------------- Memorial Services For The Late Dr. Wilton Sankawolo After weeks of behind the scene activities, the national administration finally got information about memorial service in the Diaspora for the late Dr. Wilton Sankawolo, former Interim President of Liberia and son of Bong County. Information gathered suggests a Memorial Service for Dr. Sankawolo on Saturday April 18, 2009 at 4:00PM EST at the Gateway United Methodist, 4623 Eastern Parkway, Louisville, KY 40214. The national administration hereby appeals to all members, especially those in Kentucky, (Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton), Ohio and other states to attend the service. For those who cannot attend, please call the daughter of the late Dr. Sankawolo Mrs. Rose Cooper or mail sympathy cards via the below information: Mrs. Rose Cooper 8513 Gregory Way Louisville, KY 40219 Tel. (502) 614-0709 In a related development, a special memorial fund has been setup by the late Dr. Sankawolo's family at the Chase Bank. Sympathizers may donate to this fund via ACCOUNT #761584721. All donors have to do is locate or call any Chase Bank in any state and make a donation to that account. This is an opportunity for us in the Diaspora to identify with one of Bong County's own, a renowned educator, writer, teacher, and President of Liberia who was recently called to the great beyond. -------------------- UBCAA Calls On President Sirleaf To Punish Ministers... In wake of recent developments emanating from our County relating to the dubious and inhuman act meted against the financially impotent and mentally stressed residents of Zota District by Ministers Toe and Dunzo of the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Works, respectively, the national administration has communicated with the President of Liberia to take major action against the said Ministers for misleading the trust and confidence reposed in them by her and the Liberian people. In an E-mail communication to the Executive Mansion, the national administration yesterday urged the President of Liberia, Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to punish Ministers Toe and Dunzo for lying to the people of Zota District, Bong County, the President, and the Liberian people about the construction of hand pumps in the worst affected areas of the caterpillar invasions. It can be recalled that Ministers Toe and Dunzo told the press and the Liberian people recently that hand pumps were installed in the affected areas to provide safe drinking water for the people. These sentiments expressed by both men turned out to be complete mendacity. UBCAA believes such blatant lies by these public servants only undermine the good efforts of the President; hence such acts must be discouraged. UBCAA believes the punishment of these two individuals would dissuade others who are in the habits of misleading the public and the President. President Sirleaf visited Zota District on Tuesday March 3, 2009 to find no hand pumps installed. UBCAA would like to thank President Sirleaf for personally visiting Zota District, Bong County to see first hand the devastation caused by the caterpillar invasions and her donation of several barrels of clean water. UBCAA believes the President's action is further proof about her concerns for the people of Zota District and other affected areas. -------------------- UBCAA Taken Aback By News of A “Gboveh Junior College” The national administration has expressed with dismay news from the Chairman of the Bong Legislative Caucus Hon. George Mulbah that bill to ratify the elevation of the Gboveh High School to Junior college is before the Liberian House of Representative. The news comes as a surprise knowing that the Chairman had earlier told leaders of UBCAA that he would include UBCAA on such discussion to entertain its inputs before such decisions are made. Upon getting the news, the national leadership contacted Chairman Mulbah and inquired of him if the elevation of Gboveh High School to junior college was a replacement of earlier information received from him about the construction of new junior college for Bong County. In response, Chairman Mulbah said that the plans under consideration include the renovation of the Gboveh Junior High School to make it a state of the art high school with science and computer labs and functioning library. He said then the Gboveh High School will be reconstructed and elevated to a junior college to deal with growing number of college-bound youths from Bong County. In the face of the above, the national administration of UBCAA wants to reiterate its position on development priorities of the Bong County. UBCAA endorses the CDA (County Development Agenda) as drawn up by the Government of Liberia, and stands ready to assist Bong County leaders with ideas on how to use the CDA so that maximum benefits are gained for the citizens of Bong County as a result of any development effort. Soon, UBCAA will present to the leaders of Bong County a “Good Governance” Manual to assist them govern our county effectively. -------------------- ”United Bong Salutes Senator Franklin O. Siakor of Bong County - THANK YOU MR. SENATOR... As the year 2008 comes to a close, The United Bong County Association in America publicly commends Bong County Junior Senator Franklin for his contributions and commitment to development and good governance in Bong County. United Bong notes with great admiration the jobs Senator Siakor have done for the people of Bong. Further, it notes in high esteem his stands beyond the pale of the appearance of improprieties in the discharge of his civic duties. One such action of his that comes to mind is his refusal to accept a vehicle donated to him along with other lawmakers by the MITTAL Steel Mining Corporation of Liberia. While many of his colleagues gloated to accept the vehicles, Senator Siakor said accepting the vehicle from MITTAL Steel would “compromise his independence”. He added that MITTAL Steel is a “profit making entity, and anything it does has a profit motive. If I accept this vehicle, MITTAL Steel would expect me to seek its interests beyond those of my constituents, since it operates in my County”. United Bong believes only a man with strong convictions to the service of his people could reach such conclusion. In addition, Senator Siakor has been the only lawmaker from Bong County that has on a yearly basis provided United Bong his yearly development activities. With these and many others, United Bong says to Senator Siakor, GREAT JOB MR. SENATOR. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK FOR OUR PEOPLE.  -------------------- Sanoyea District Says No To Sen. Taylor, Pres. Srileaf Agrees In a dramatic display of solidarity with their Commissioner, the citizens of Sanoyea District today overwhelmingly rejected calls by Sen. Taylor to rescind the recent appointment of Commissioner Kantos C. Bornor. BACKGROUND: On Thursday October 9, 2008, I received an E-mail from Hon. George Mulbah Chairman of the Bong Legislative Caucus informing me that Pres. Ellen Johnson Sirelaf was scheduled to visit Sanoyea District today, Sunday October 12, 2008. He informed me that on her agenda among other things was a request from Sen. Taylor to rescind the appointment of Commissioner Bornor, claiming the citizens of Sanoyea District petitioned her with such request. Alarmed with such information, I immediately contacted two prominent sons of Sanoyea District (Mr. Andrew Tehmeh and Mr. Nalon Kaine) to ascertain if they had knowledge of such petition to Sen. Taylor from the citizens of Sanoyea District. Both told me that Sen. Taylor had done this before, attempting to unseat Com. Bornor and would not be surprised if she is behind this again. Mr. Tehmeh told me that the first time it occurred, the Minister of Internal Affairs actually went to Sanoyea only to see that Sen. Taylor did not appear. Mr. Kaine told me that he had actually met with the citizens of Sanoyea District on this very issue when he was last in Liberia, and they told him they wanted their Commissioner to remain, as he is doing a great job. Armed with the above information from the two sons of Sanoyea District, I decided to act. I called Commissioner Bornor who confirmed Sen. Taylor's intention to have him removed from office. I asked him about his chances of thwarting Sen. Taylor's move against him. Com. Bornor told me, "Mr. Matthew, I have done and continue to do my best as Commissioner of this District. My record is out there to be examined by anyone. I believe the President will listen to my side before making any decision, I truly believe that. The people of Sanoyea District are with me on this one." With such statement from Com. Bornor, I decided to call a contact in Monrovia. My contact told me, "the President is going to Sanoyea district with an open mind. She will listen to the people of Sanoyea District to ensure their wishes prevail on this issue". RESULT: Well, to cut long matter short, Pres. Sirleaf went to Sanoyea District today and held a District wide conference with the citizens. I am pleased to inform you that the so-called petition as claimed by Sen. Taylor never materialized as the citizens of Sanoyea District overwhelmingly stood firm with Com. Bornor. Our contact who was present at the meeting immediately alerted me of the outcome of the whole episode. I immediately called Com. Bornor to get his reaction. No doubt he was in a great mood. He told me, "the President just left from here, the people stood with me, and I am still the Commissioner. I want to thank everyone for this outcome. I always felt I was doing the right thing, and people today confirmed that. Sen. Taylor spoke after the citizens spoke, that she respects the voices of the people and agrees with them. The President then told me to hug her as ways to put everything behind us". Now, you might be thinking why I took special interest in this matter. If you might recalled during our Convention in Atlanta, we raised about eight hundred dollars for the victims of the Sanoyea District incidents wherein many of the citizens of that District were viciously attacked during a land conflict. That amount was augmented to one thousand dollars and wired to Com. Bornor with instructions that he forward us comprehensive report on the sharing of the funds to the victims. About a week or so ago, I forwarded you that report in which Com. Bornor compiled the names of the recipients with signatures to verify that they got their share of the fund. From that and many conversations with him before and after he received the fund, I became convinced that he was someone we could trust and work with. I believe it was the right thing to do to support him when it became cleared to me he was being unjustly targeted. I am therefore elated for the outcome of this all. I am in no way taking credit here. The credit goes to the great people of Sanoyea District who stood firm with their Commissioner in the face of unjust treatment. To them I say, THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE. UBCAA is proud of you. I thank Mr. Andrew Tehmeh and Mr. Nalon Kaine and those who worked behind the scene to warrant the result we are all happy with. I thank Pres. Sirleaf for listening to the people and making what I termed the RIGHT DECISION for the people of Sanoyea District. THE PEOPLE CAN MOVE -------------------- United Bong County Association Delegation Meets President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf At The UN... An eight member high power delegation of the United Bong County Association in America (UBCAA) on Tuesday the 23rd of September 2008 met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the Liberian Mission at the United Nations in New York. The delegation was headed by the National President Joe Flomo Matthew. Other members of the delegation were, Ethel Livingstone, National Vice President, Rev. Dr. Mulba Borsay, National Chaplain, Blyden Kennedy, National Treasurer, Lynda Williams, President Rhodes Island Chapter, Memplay Forlorma, President Maryland Chapter, Garnett Gbamokollie, President New Jersey Chapter, and David Flomo, Presidential Adviser. In a prepared remark, the National President thanked President Sirleaf for honoring UBCAA’s request for the meeting. He thanked the President for the efforts being made by her government relative to development, land reform, security, and other governmental initiatives in Bong County in particular and Liberia in general. He expressed thanks to the President for the the successful negotiation on behalf of the people of Bong County for $500,000 donation for the next five years from Mittal Steel. H asked the President to include UBCAA on the governing committee of the Mittal Steel fund. He informed the President about UBCAA’s development initiatives that would pay maximum dividends to Bong County. Initiatives such as the wiring of Gboveh High and E. J. Yancy High Schools with computers, donations of beds and mattresses to Phebe and JFK hospitals, arrangement for annual voluntary travels of members to Bong County to conduct workshops in various disciplines at various institutions in Bong County and and other parts of Liberia, and the construction of a state of the art Educational Resource Center in Gbarnga . On the appointment of future County officials, he urged the President to contact UBCAA, especially if such person is from the Diaspora so that UBCAA can participate in the vetting process, among other things. A detailed statement including the excerpts from above was then presented to President Sirleaf by the National President. In response, President Sirleaf commended UBCAA for the roles it has played and continues to play in the overall development of Bong County. She thanked UBCAA for joining her efforts to develop Bong County and Liberia. She urged UBCAA to engage County leaders to ensure corporation and cohesiveness. She declared that UBCAA’s position statement, presented to her will form part of her agenda during her next Executive Council Meeting in Gbarnga sometimes “during the dry season”. UBCAA is working with the office of President Sirleaf on the possibility of sending a delegation to the President’s Executive Council Meeting in Gbarnga. She promised to work closely with UBCAA so as to enable it completes its development objectives. She promised to look into the possibilities of her government’s assistance to UBCAA to ship materials/equipment it has solicited to Liberia. President Sirleaf received a beautiful portrait of herself from United Bong County Association in America. The presentation was made by the National Vice President on behalf of UBCAA. The meeting lasted for about an hour. UBCAA takes this time very respectfully to thank President Sirleaf for taking time off her busy schedules to meet us at United Nations. UBCAA believes her decision to meet with us is an indication that she holds our County and our association in high esteem. For that and many more, we commend her. UBCAA also like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Gbamokollie for the hospitality accorded its delegation. The Gbamokollie made their home available and provided food through out the duration of the delegation’s stay.  Click Here for More Photos... Bong County Development Agenda as envisioned by the Government of Liberia... The government of Liberia has put forth a detailed plan for development in Bong County for the next four years. Click Here to read the document in detail... United Bong Presses for a seat on the “Bong County Development Committee... United Bong on numerous occasion has informed the Superintendent and the Bong Legislative Caucus of its desire to be represented on the “Bong Development Committee”. Your humble servant recently reiterated this in an e-mail to the new Chairman of the Bong Legislative Caucus Hon. George Mulbah. Click Here to read the e-mail sent to Chairman Mulbah and his response. United Bong shall remain steadfast on this until such time it is fully represented on this Committee. United Bong believes despite its physical absence on the ground in Bong County, it is a stake holder in the developmental affairs of the County and as such should have some inputs on how developmental decisions are made. We look forward with interests contents of final decisions on our request. MITTEL Steel Releases First Check of $500,000 to Bong County... MITTEL Steel has released a check of $500,000 to the Bong County Development Management Committee. The payment is part of an agreement between the company the government of Liberia to compensate the County for land use in the operation of the company. United Bong expresses enthusiasms for this positive development and hopes that the fund will be used for the purposes intended as agreed by the citizens of Bong County. United Bong shall closely monitor the life cycle of this fund as it goes through the pipeline for development. Bong Legislative Caucus Elects New Leaders.. After months of leadership impasse, the Bong County Legislative Caucus recently elected new corps of officer to lead the Caucus for the next two years. Those elected are: Hon. George Mulbah - Chairman Hon. Bill Connech - Co-Chairman Hon. Korpu Barclay - General Secretary Hon. Edwin Juah - Financial Secretary United Bong congratulates the newly elected officers for positively responding to calls from their colleagues to take leadership of the Caucus. Our thanks go to all the members of the Caucus for taking the bold step in resolving the leadership impasse. United Bong stands ready to work closely with the new leadership so that together we can get down to doing the people’s business. John Carroll University Donates 80 beds, 80 mattresses, and 35 desk to United Bong. John Carroll University, a local Catholic University in Cleveland Ohio on Friday August 8, 2008 donated beds, mattresses, and desk to United Bong to be used for any humanitarian purposes the association chooses. Making the donation, the Director of Facility Management for John Carroll University Mr. Mike Roeder said the University was happy to join United Bong in its efforts to provide humanitarian materials for the citizens of Bong County. Accepting the donations, the National President Mr. J. Flomo Matthew thanked Mr. Roeder and the University for responding positively to efforts of United Bong. The items were on Saturday August 9, 2008 put on trucks and taken storage facility until such time they are shipped to Liberia. The truck rental of about $366.00 was paid on behalf of United Bong by the National President. Bong County Junior Senator Travels The County - See The Portrait Of A True Leaser... Since his election, the Junior Senator of Bong County Sen. Franklin O. Siakor has traveled the length and breath of Bong County engaging local citizens and leaders on development initiatives. A video diary of Sen. Siakor’s travels is now on YouTube for viewing public courtesy of your humble servant. To see the videos, go to YouTube.com. In “Video Search” box, type Siakor and click on “Search”. All the videos in this series will be listed. Click each and see the portrait of a true leader in action. United Bong Donates $1000 to Sanoyea District Victims... The United Bong County Association in America has donated $1000 to the victims of the  Sanoyea District incidents. The money was raised at the recent 2008 National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. In a telephone conversation with the Commissioner of Sanoyea District informing him of the donation, the National President Mr. Joe Flomo Matthew told Commissioner Kantos C. Bornor that the citizens of Bong County residing in the United were pleased to identify with the victims and hope the donations will assist them in some ways. Commissioner Bornor for his part thanked the officers and members of United Bong for the donations. He promised to ensure those affected benefit from the donation. United Bong Ships Building and School Material to Liberia... United Bong recently shipped 42 boxes of Notebooks and 36 boxes of floor tiles to Liberia for Bong County students and the education resource center project respectively. The items, solicited during the administration of Mr. Dennis Garsinni, had been in storage in Minnesota for several years with fees paid by Mr. Garsinni. Through the instrumentality of Mr. Garsinni in identifying a reasonable shipper, it became necessary to ship the items to Liberia. To ensure that the items, especially the notebooks reach the intended targets, the National Administration has identified three respected individuals in the Bong County School System to oversee the distributions. They are, Mr. Joseph Kwenah, Chief District Educational Officer - Panta/Kpaii, Mr. Francis Nyekpeh - Professor and Head of Agricultural Studies - Cuttington College, and Mr. Klemeni Gbelemai - Director of an NGO in Gbarnga, Bong County. These individuals will submit detailed report to United Bong about the status of the distribution mechanisms. They shall also take custody of the tiles until such times they are needed for the project. The National Administration would like to thank Mr. Garsinni and his family for underwriting the costs of the storage for these items.