A Patriot’s Diary with Ekena Wesley
Brouhaha had engulfed a much coveted Liberian Association in the Pennslyvania (LAP) elections of 2015/2016 as part of an internal rift. The court, however, mandated the ‘elected’ leadership in 2018 to stay in power and take the community to elections despite the odds. Seemingly aggrieved, the court became an option. At least, blows did not occasion the moment to resolve the stalemate. But we are such a small community not necessarily in terms of numbers. Why should cohesion be a challenge after all? Perhaps the trappings of our human complexity. A frosty contest of the Titans had enveloped us as a people. In our self-criticism, we argued that unity is a missing link. Really? This time it was about a power grab.
Notably, other members of the community opted to short-circuit the process and mandated of the court by the establishment of an interim government. The move was resisted by us and a failed coup was aborted. That arrangement saw Comrade Stephen Binda hold on as Chief Scribe or call it secretary general of LAP. But the court had mandated the Interim leadership to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections as it were. Although unnecessarily delayed, Liberians went to the polls to vote for a new corps of leaders about two months ago. Stephen Binda had put himself forward as a candidate for the position of Secretary General for LAP.
Shrouded in complete secrecy, Comrade Stephen Binda’s name did not appear on the ballot. What went wrong? A complete mystery if you may. We are still unraveling the jigsaw. The young and enterprising progressive did not lay it bare. He unequivocally challenged LAP-Election Monitoring Body led by Kehgblo Gongloe. Stephen filed a formal complaint with the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas. ULAA immediately launched an independent investigation and literally blamed the Election Committee for acting inappropriately.
Surely, it was the unexplained determination of the Election Committee that denied Stephen every opportunity to be on the ballot box without any prior investigation, which informed a shambolic justification for their action. Something was undoubtedly amiss! If we cannot guarantee the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections at the community level, what can we say about the national? Why should we be demanding equilibrium in national political decision-making? On the other hand, no one is suggesting that Stephen Binda is above reproach though. ULAA enjoined Stephen Binda to let go in the name of peace at the community level. Yes! Peace is necessary but ignoring the active presence of justice is untenable!
But those elections have since come and gone, folks. Ecumenically, as it is often said: “When God closes one door He opens another.” While dusting himself of the selfless efforts to keep the secretariat of LAP’s leadership alive and kicking for the last couple of years, the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) reposed confidence in Stephen Binda. ULAA, in a letter dated October 18, 2022, and signed by its National President, J. Shiwoh Kamara wrote: “Congratulations on your new role! this is a confirmation of your appointment to serve as the Deputy Press Secretary of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA).
We congratulate Comrade Stephen Binda on the occasion of his deserved appointment as Deputy Press Secretary of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, Stephen’s latest appointment is a fulfilling testimony that hard work and dedication certainly do pay. Even the so-called Team Sayondee on whose shoulders Stephen Binda put himself forward as Secretary General made absolutely no effort to intervene when the Ad hoc Elections Committee invoked surreptitious powers. Stephen remained in the wilderness as a lone warrior in a pool of sharks. The latest appointment is a validation that Stephen Binda has triumphed over his detractors and naysayers.
With a solid background in the broadcast and print media in his native Liberia, Stephen Binda does not only possess the qualification, experience, and credentials but the pedigree, tenacity, acumen, and zest to add flavor to ULAA’s media and communications department. A former Manager of Communications at Golden Veroleum, a Malaysian-owned oil palm corporation working in Liberia, Stephen brings to the table a vast knowledge and understanding of the science and arts of journalism, public relations, and advertising – as key ingredients to lead an effective press and public affairs campaign for the mother organization of Liberians in the Americas.
The new role dawns a moment in the life of a young and enterprising Liberian communications practitioner who navigated two of Liberia’s premier newspapers, the Daily Observer and New Democrat respectively. Stephen Binda is an industrious, assertive, and pragmatic figure who carries a bagful of intellectual exuberance, wit, and dexterity. He is result-oriented, aspiring, and ambidextrous.
ULAA is unmistakably correct in its latest decision-making aimed at infusing a tremendous and aggressive degree of dynamism in its public information mechanism that has for a long time been dormant. With Stephen Binda onboard, ULAA can rest assured that news-hungry Liberians in the Americas will be adequately informed and kept abreast with issues of enormous significance to Liberia across the Atlantic.
While A Patriot’s Diary would like to congratulate Stephen Binda for his latest preferment, we can only encourage him to aim high for the greater good. Like the late American President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” This is another milestone! Seize the strategic opportunity! The world is a stage! You do what you have to do, Stephen. Go and serve well! Congratulations!
