Africa-Press – Liberia. Foday Fahnbulleh, the youthful representative of Bong County District 7, is stepping forward as a candidate for the Deputy Speaker position. Having been elected in the recent October 10 legislative elections, Fahnbulleh aims to advocate for responsible governance, accountability, and the implementation of the Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs) across the country, especially in his native Fuamah District, where China Union Mining Company operates.
His previous advocacy efforts focused on improving the social and economic conditions of Fuamah and Sanoyea Administrative Districts in lower Bong. Although progress has been made in implementing the MDA, China Union needs to catch up on its responsibilities, prompting Fahnbulleh to promise continued pressure for full compliance.
Fahnbulleh’s determination and dedication to his advocacy were evident when he faced arrest in 2013 for refusing to abandon his cause. Equipped with a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Liberia, Fahnbulleh plans to utilize his role as Deputy Speaker to ensure accountability in governance through legislative scrutiny and oversight of concession agreements.
“We want to ensure that our people benefit from their resources. They need basic social facilities and we must ensure that this happens for them,” Fahnbulleh said. “Our people have suffered for too long due to exploitation and we must bring a leadership that will rescue them from the grips of abject poverty and deprivation. Our people from all over this country deserve better.”
In addition to his commitment to accountability, Fahnbulleh emphasizes the need for geographic balance in Liberia’s leadership. With the President and Vice President hailing from Northern Liberia, and the Speaker potentially coming from either Southeastern or Northern Liberia, Fahnbulleh believes that his position as Deputy Speaker would bring representation from Central Liberia.
Facing competition from Thomas Fallah of Lofa County, Samuel Korgar of Nimba County, and Moima Briggs of Bong County, Fahnbulleh, an independent candidate, hopes to secure the necessary votes from the 73 representatives to be elected as Deputy Speaker.
If successful, he would be both the youngest Deputy Speaker and the only newcomer among the 48 newly elected representatives, sending a powerful message about the readiness of young people to assume leadership roles. The election for the Deputy Speaker position will take place in January when the 55th Legislature opens.
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