7 Mins Read
By: E. Philip Dumbar
In a few weeks, Liberians will witness the historic and surreal ushering in of their country’s 55th Legislature which brings along the election of a new speaker by members of the House of Representatives.
This is a requirement consistent with Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution which states; “The House of Representatives shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of that body, a Deputy Speaker, and such other officers to ensure the proper functioning of the House.
As the House of Representatives edges towards its official sitting in early January 2024, elects and installs its Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, a few names have made news headlines as potential candidates to contest for the impending, significant, and definable Speaker’s election.
This writer has thoroughly evaluated all the candidates seeking to contest the position and unbiasedly established that Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa is the most qualified, best suited, most favorable, and possesses the wealth of experience and qualities to be the Speaker of the 55th Legislature.
Cllr. Koffa, an erudite and experienced International lawyer is currently the Deputy Speaker of the 54th legislature, a position he has held and served for approximately four years– with profound diligence and honorability, but more importantly with a deep sense of patriotism.
Even though Koffa is a member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), he has served as a centrist politician with a moderate and considerate posture. In the legislature, he has equated himself as a consensus-builder, a team player, a peacemaker, a leader with an all-inclusive mentality, a ‘bi-partisan’ politician, a friend of all, and an enemy to none. Unlike other CDC top brass who were hostile to the opposition, Koffa has always treated his opposition colleagues with courtesy, grace, and benevolence–with his guiding philosophy that “political difference is not enmity”.
The results of the just-ended high-stakes and fiercely contested Liberia’s presidential election clearly show that the West African nation is deeply divided in the middle. In the October 10th poll, the election results show a tie of 49% for both President George Weah and now President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai which landed both men into the tough contested runoff on November 14th that would see Boakai emerge as winner with 50.69% while Weah secured 49.64% of the votes. These results illustrate the scale at which the country is divided mainly between the Southeast region and the North Central region of Liberia–leaving many thousands on the losing side gravely bitter.
This deep and toxic divide anchors the urgency and exigency to ensure a balance of power in Liberia but importantly it emphasizes the need to have a leader with the incredible characteristics that Cllr. Koffa possesses to occupy an essential positions like the post of Speaker.
Here, I am inclined to argue that no one party or region should aim to possess all the powers of the country at such a critical and revealing moment in Liberia. There must be a balance of power to reflect the inclusion of all segments and spectrums of the country. Even the President-elect Joseph Boakai must be encouraged to structure a government of inclusion for the sole purpose of bridging the deep divide which poses a potential threat to the peace and unity of the country. An inclusive government will potentially reassure the other half of the country that the new government is harmless thus the need for their cooperation.
Koffa originates from the Southeast, precisely Grand Kru County where the outgoing President George Weah also comes from. The Southeast region voted overwhelmingly to retain Weah as President for the next six years but their wish did not suffice. It is only fair that the Speaker position be given to Koffa, a native son of Grand Kru, Southeast, to allay the fear and ease the pain of the Southeastern people. Inclusion is a recipe for peace and unity whereas balance of power is an assurance of security.
It is a probable danger for any country when half of the country feels insecure or threatened by the ascent of another group. Here lies the litmus test for President-elect Boakai to demonstrate selfless leadership, wisdom, and grace as a President assuming the helm of a country that is deadly divided. It will be strategic, smart, and legendary of him to graciously welcome and ensure the Speakership of Cllr. Koffa. This move will essentially show the people of the Southeast that he (Boakai) is President for all, not some Liberians. He must avoid the temptation of proceeding egregiously like Weah who divided the country and governed with vicious exclusion and harsh tribalism. Boakai must be the peacebuilder the country knows him to be by uniting the country and navigating its citizenry on the course of oneness, happiness, and peace. He must exude himself as the true father of the nation, by leading with compassion for all. A King cannot effectively rule in an adversary, that is why he must ensure the Kingdom is peaceful to give him the time and space to govern well. The world is watching as King Boakai demonstrates leadership and proves that he is different from George Weah and is ready to usher Liberia in a new era of peace, unity, and prosperity.
Furthermore, Koffa will be an effective and efficient Speaker because of the valuable experience he brings to the job, not only as a lawmaker and current Deputy Speaker but also as a former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He knows and understands the technicalities and complexities often faced by the executive, and how to ease up things for the Presidency as a Speaker. Koffa knows and understands the pressing issues of governance as it relates to addressing the urgent needs of the people in a timely fashion. He is gracious enough to assist President Boakai in addressing the pressing national concerns that will require substantial cooperation and approbation of the legislature. As former House Chair of the Judiciary Committee and savvy barrister, Koffa masters the constitutional imperatives required of the speaker as well as the political inclination required to foster a cordial relationship between the Executive and the legislature.
Like Boakai, Koffa is a patriot. He sees country above party, nation over clan, unity over division, hope over fear, optimism over pessimism, love over hate, and faith over cynicism.
These are the qualities and mindset leaders of the new Liberia must possess. Koffa is the Speaker that Liberia needs in this new era of hope and social transformation.
Koffa is the 21st century leader, a man of magnanimity, selflessness, erudition, tolerance, knowledge, and humility, giving him a chance to be Liberia’s 55th Speaker. He is fit, ripe, and ready to Lead.