Africa-Press – Liberia. Africa has traditionally been the cradle of great leadership; from Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Steve Biko, to Julius Nyerere, the continent’s contribution to leadership philosophy remains indelible,” African Leadership Organization (ALO) founder and chairperson, Dr Ken Giami said at the unveiling ceremony of the 11th African Leadership Magazine Persons of the year in 2022. However, he said, “a new leadership paradigm is evolving in the continent — they are the new changemakers.”
And one of those new brands of chang-emakers, as Giami indicated a year ago, is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, J. Fonati Koffa, the board of ALO, publisher of the African Leadership Magazine, has said.
The board of the organization made this known when it selected the Grand Kru County District #2 Representative as the African of the Month of July—a feat that projected the Deputy Speaker’s image on the cover of the coveted African Leadership Magazine.
Founded in 2011, ALO awards winners are African leaders who have positioned themselves as change-makers who have chosen to push through with their vision to build a Africa that works for all; a group of positive thinkers and actors who are on a mission and are eager to lead Africa to the Promised Land, Giami said at the 2022 unveiling ceremony.
Deputy Speaker Koffa, the Magazine says, has exhibited legislative excellence, and his works have made a difference in Liberia.
Speaking Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at an occasion marking the presentation of the official portrait of the cover page of the magazine, ALO General Manager, Samuel Moses Elaikwu, asserted that the recognition is in regard to the Deputy Speaker’s outstanding performance at the national legislature.
“A very distinguished lawmaker has become a beacon of hope to the seemingly voiceless sections of the (Liberian) people since he began to challenge old-age norms and traditions that are injurious to the populace. Among several other milestone achievements, he is known to be at the forefront of increasing women’s representation in Liberia,” the excerpt of the magazine reads.
Elaiku said the thoughtful leadership of Cllr. Koffa has brought pride not just to Liberia, but to the whole of Africa.
“We are here to recognize his effort for his outstanding performance of legislative leadership and his thoughtful leadership, through which he has brought pride to the whole of Africa. We were so moved that his recommendation was put forth at the just ended African Leadership Forum. We are also here to thank you for your gender advocacy and your life touching initiatives,” said Elaikwu.
Though some Liberians at times attribute the success stories of Deputy Speaker Koffa to his alignment to the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), the Management of the African Leadership Magazine sees it differently.
Elaikwu indicated that the honoree’s quality of thought and engagement have made him the darling of the government, stressing that this is a challenge and benchmark for other legislators and those in leadership positions to follow suit.
In response, Cllr. Koffa expressed joy for the honor bestowed on him and vowed to do more.
“We were very honored to be a part of the recent forum, and we cherish the work that you do. You are working so that the economy works for all. We will stand with you to ensure policy that works for the best of Africa,” he added.
It could be recalled that Cllr. Koffa, while attending the 8th Edition of the Africa Summit in London, the United Kingdom, called for a paradigm shift in the dreams and construct of the Pan Africanism Movement if the continent will ever be unified and its people empowered.
He told African stakeholders and bilateral and multilateral partners that priorities for the African people need to be rethought or rearranged.
“There must be a new Pan African movement for economic growth,” Rep. Koffa told the gathering at Committee Room G, House of Lords, in London.
The Deputy Speaker’s call comes at a time when the continent is grappling with the struggle for political unity through Pan Africanism after over fifty years.
It is clearly evident that the dream of a unified African continent, as accentuated in the context of Pan Africanism, has yet to be achieved since the 1960s, more than 50 years when the vision gained global attention and African consciousness reached a peak.
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the month Awards is Africa’s premier vote-based endorsement, reserved for the leading Africans who are contributing towards promoting the continent’s progress, and positively altering Africa’s perceived negative image.
The awards have also become a platform that aims to honor people-centered leadership and Africans who are pursuing a pan-African agenda in their chosen fields of endeavor.
Meanwhile, besides the African Outstanding Award conferred on Deputy Speaker Koffa on Tuesday, July 11; on Thursday, July 20, another prestigious award – the Golden Image Outstanding Award for Empowerment, was also given to the Deputy Speaker.
Further, on Wednesday, during the 176th investiture of the Independence Celebration, the Deputy Speaker was admitted into the Knighthood of Pioneers of the Republic of Liberia with the rank, Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption. It is the highest honor of the Republic and is awarded for humanitarian work in Liberia, for acts supporting and assisting the Liberian nation, and to individuals who have played a prominent role in the emancipation of African Americans and the pursuit of equal rights.
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