GANTA, Nimba – The National Council of Chiefs has elected Boinsen Chiefdom Paramount Chief Arthur Dowah as its head, bringing to end Chief Zanzan Karwah’s decade-long leadership as head of the chiefs.
Dowah, whose chiefdom is located in Bong, defeated River Cess’ Paramount Chief and former speaker of the now defunct National Traditional Council, Bob Kofi Zah, and Maryland County Paramount Chief Nelson Neal to win the post.
He was elected alongside Paramount Chief Ballah Gbotorlu of Lofa as national vice chairperson for culture and traditional affairs and Grand Gedeh’s Paramount Chief Rhoda Garmu as national chairperson for peacebuilding and reconciliation. The elections took place on Friday, August 9.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs says the election of the leadership structure of the National Council of Chiefs is in line with the Local Government Act of 2018. The law repealed the act that created the National Traditional Council of Liberia, which has been headed by Chief Kawah and established in its stead the National Council of Chiefs.
Members of the National Council of Chiefs are paramount chiefs elected as heads of their respective county councils of chiefs from the 15 counties, thus making the membership of the National Council of Chiefs a 15-member council.
Unlike the Zanzan Karwah-led National Traditional Council of Liberia that was stationed in Monrovia, members of the National Council of Chiefs will live in their counties and govern their respective chiefdoms. However, they will attend bi-annual conventions at designated locations and meet frequently as needed.
A support office has been established to coordinate the affairs of the National Council of Chiefs, and the Liberian Legislature will allot funding annually in the national budget to operate the office.
Speaking briefly after his election, Chief Dowah expressed his willingness to work with all Liberians, noting that he performs beyond expectation whenever he’s given a task.
He called for a collective effort from all Liberians to rebuild Liberia.
“As I have been elevated to a national level, I am willing to work with all of you. I am the person who, when you give me a job to do, I can do it to the fullest,” he said.
The National Council of Chiefs chairperson noted that Liberia has been left behind in traditional activities for so long and promised to restore the country’s traditional heritage to where the ancestors left it.
“When they say tradition, it means your ancestors’ way,” he said. “When it is declining, we will make way.”
Before the National Council of Chiefs’ election, elections were held for the Superintendent Council of Liberia and the Mayor Council.
Through consensus among the 15 superintendents, Nimba’s superintendent, Kou Meapeh Gono, was endorsed as national chair of the Superintendent Council, while J. Foday Kiatamba of Grand Cape Mount and Mike Swengbe of River Gee were selected national chairpersons for administration and operations, respectively.
Nimba Superintendent and chairperson of the Superintendent Council, Kou Meapeh Gono, being certificated after her election/ photo courtesy: Zarwolo Selleh of Radio Nimba
The newly elected officials of the Superintendent Council will head the organization for three years, after which a new election will be held.
For the Mayor Council, Gallah Varpilah of Gbarnga was endorsed as the chair, while Mayor Retha Kai Massaquoi of Zwedru and Mayor Thomas Bai Massaquoi of Robertsport were endorsed as co-chair and secretary, respectively.
Members of the Mayor Council were drawn from the capital cities of the 15 counties. They will serve two-year terms.
Speaking at the end of the various elections, the acting chairman of the Governance Commission, Professor Alaric Tokpah, said he is optimistic that Liberia is on the path to progress.
Tokpah hailed the Internal Affairs Ministry and President Joseph Boakai for implementing the Local Government Act, noting that history will record them for decentralizing power by bringing it to the people.
“For those of you living during this period, even if I am to die today, I will be happy, and I will tell my ancestors that there is hope for Liberia,” he added.
He said the Governance Commission would collaborate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to implement the Local Government Act to ensure power is given to the people.
Meanwhile, Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin has challenged the superintendents, mayors, and chiefs to employ creativity, innovation, and accountability as principles to move Liberia in the direction that will bring greater values and prosperity to its citizens.
Nyumalin wants them to stop the many excuses, adding that there should be no more room for uncountable excuses to perform: “It is about time for our citizens to see and feel the impact of their government.”
Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled Chief Arthur Dowah’s name. Featured photo by Jerry T. Myers
