Africa-Press – Liberia.
Grand Cape Mount County stands on the brink of a bright and transformative future, brimming with potential and rich cultural heritage. This optimistic vision was passionately outlined by Mr. Abraham G. Massaley, the former President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and former President of the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas (NACA). Speaking recently in Darby, near Philadelphia, United States, Mr. Massaley delivered the keynote address at the Dinner Ball celebrating the 26th National Convention of the St. John’s Episcopal (EHS/EES) Alumni Association. It was here that he inducted the new corps of officers of the alumni association, including Mr. Samuel A. Abdullai, Sr., President; Mr. Sylvanus Golakai, Vice President; Mrs. Sando J. K. Jones, Secretary; Mr. William Paasewe, Treasurer; and Financial Secretary Jankoba Sambola.
In his address, Mr. Massaley painted a hopeful picture of Grand Cape Mount County, urging his fellow citizens to seize the immense opportunities before them. Central to his vision is the revitalization of the Vai and Gola languages, which he believes are the cornerstone of the county’s identity. Mr. Massaley sees the current linguistic landscape as a challenge but also as an opportunity for renewal and growth. He acknowledges the spread of the Mende language in the county but rallies his people to preserve and promote their indigenous tongues.
He proposes that the teaching of Vai and Gola languages be made a priority in every school throughout the county, especially at the elementary level. By focusing on the Vai language, which is easy to learn and widely spoken, Mr. Massaley believes that Cape Mount can strengthen its cultural roots and ensure that its unique identity thrives for generations to come. This, he asserts, is not just about preserving the past, but about embracing a future where Cape Mount stands tall as a beacon of cultural pride in Liberia.
Mr. Massaley’s vision for Cape Mount extends beyond language and culture. He calls for a renewed sense of self-sufficiency and pride in the county’s leadership. In his view, leaders who are able to sustain themselves and their families through farming will serve as role models, leading by example and fostering a culture of hard work and dignity. He advocates for the adoption of farming and self-sustainability as basic criteria for electing or appointing traditional leaders, including chiefs and commissioners. This approach, he suggests, will spark a “mental revolution” in Cape Mount that could ripple across Liberia, instilling values of honesty, hard work, and pride in every citizen.
Mr. Massaley also challenges the people of Cape Mount to reject the notion that they must depend on external sources for basic needs. He calls on them to stop purchasing cassava leaf, bitter ball, and pepper in Monrovia for consumption in Cape Mount, describing it as “shameful and disgraceful.” Instead, he urges his fellow citizens to embrace the wealth of natural resources available in their own county and to take pride in their ability to sustain themselves.
In addition to promoting self-sufficiency, Mr. Massaley envisions a future where Cape Mount is a leader in agricultural and tourism development. He passionately calls for investment in these sectors, which he believes are the keys to unlocking economic prosperity for the county. By harnessing the natural beauty and agricultural potential of Cape Mount, he sees a future where young people no longer feel compelled to leave for Monrovia in search of opportunities but instead find abundant opportunities right in their homeland.
The development of agriculture and tourism, according to Mr. Massaley, will inspire an economic boom that will lift the people of Cape Mount out of poverty, ignorance, and disease. He emphasizes the importance of convening a county-wide conference to discuss and develop a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable development in these sectors. This, he believes, is the path to a prosperous and vibrant future for Cape Mount.
Throughout his speech, Mr. Massaley emphasized the importance of leadership in driving this transformation. He spoke of the need for leaders who inspire a new mindset in the people of Cape Mount—one that values pride, dignity, integrity, honesty, hard work, and the drive to succeed. By cultivating these values, he believes that Cape Mount can lead the way in a “renaissance” that will propel Liberia to new heights of technological, infrastructural, and economic development.
While Mr. Massaley acknowledged the challenges facing Liberia, including the endemic corruption and the legacy of exploitation by foreign companies, his message was one of hope and determination. He believes that the journey to a brighter future for Liberia can begin with the first steps taken in Cape Mount. By embracing their cultural heritage, fostering self-sufficiency, and investing in key economic sectors, the people of Cape Mount have the power to transform their county and, in turn, their nation.
Mr. Massaley’s address was a rallying cry for the people of Cape Mount to come together, take pride in their heritage, and work collectively towards a future where their county stands as a model of development and cultural pride in Liberia. This is not just a dream, but a vision within reach, one that begins with each citizen of Cape Mount embracing the immense potential that lies within their grasp.
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