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With 100% participation
The female presidential candidates in the 2023 elections, have shown 100 percent cooperation in the presidential debate than their male counterparts, meant to outlining their platforms and telling the Liberian people what they will do to improve the lives of citizens and address the enormous challenges facing the nation if elected in the October 10 elections.
Among the two female contestants, Madam Bendu Kromah, an Independent Candidate was seen in Monrovia during the first segment of the debate, on Tuesday October 3, and on Friday October 6, in Gbanga , Bong County at the second segment.
Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, from the African Liberation League (ALL), also a former UN Diplomat joined the second segment in Gbarnga.
Out of 20 presidential candidates, 12 attended the entire debates both the first and the second segment in Monrovia and Gbanga respectively.
Seven candidates earlier attended the Monrovia debate, five in Gbanga and four did twice, making the number of nine participants in the Gbarnga, Bong County.
Those who attended the Monrovia segment are: Allen Brown >Liberia Restoration Party (LRP), Bendu Kromah>(INDEPENDENT), Sheikh Kouyateh > Liberia First Movement (LFM), Richard Miller >Liberia for Prosperity (LFP), Simeon Freeman>Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), Edward Appleton >Grassroots Development Movement (GDM) and Joshua Tom Turner from the New Liberia Party (NLP)
On Friday October 6, in Gbarnga, Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti from the African Liberation League (ALL), Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe> Liberian People Party (LPP), Cllr. Luther N. Yonfee> Liberia Rebuilding Party (LRP), Robert F. Morris > Independent and David G. B Kiamu > Democratic People Party of Liberia (DPPL) participated.
At the same time, four out of seven candidates who took part in the first debate at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia; Bendu Kromah, Joshua Tom Turner, Edward Appleton and Sheikh Kouyateh joint the above candidates at the William V.S Tubman Gray High School Gymnasium in Gbanga, Bong County to continue engaging the public about their manifestos if they win elections.
The candidates discussed 11 thematic issues which include: Education , Agriculture and food security, Infrastructure, Health ,foreign policy, rule of law, economic peace, and Reconciliation, youth empowerment and corruption at the debates.
However, three major contestants; incumbent President George Manneh Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Joseph Boakai of the main opposition Unity Part (UP) and Alexander Cummings of the Collaborative Political Party (CPP) absconded the debates bringing serious public concern.
During the debates, the Internews Liberia Chief of Party, Ms. Lien Bach emphasized that the debates would help increase the engagement of citizens in the elections, and bring about improved election processes that will ensure trust in the future and promote a peaceful election.
She added that it’s intended to enhance Electoral transparency, Create a transparent and accountable electoral process by providing a public forum for candidates to discuss their platforms, defend their positions, and address voters’ concerns amongst others.
The 2023 presidential debate organizing consortium includes the Liberia Media for Democratic Initiatives (LMDI), the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), the Amos C. Sawyer Foundation, the Association of Community Radios (ALICOR), Local Voices Liberia, and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), among others.