GBARNGA, Bong – Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has presented a new vehicle to the head of the Bong chapter of the National Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders.

According to Howard-Taylor’s representative, Esther Walker, the vice president hopes the vehicle can enable Chief Moses Suakollie to effectively conduct the affairs of the council and other traditional activities in the county. Walker presented the vehicle on behalf of Howard-Taylor.

Walker said Howard-Taylor also recognizes the “efforts and time” Suakollie had put in supporting the Coalition for Democratic Change during the recent elections that saw the coalition wining the majority of votes in Bong.

Walker charged Suakollie to “use this pickup to settle whatsoever disputes in Bong County, reconciliation, negotiations, traditional meetings so that you can’t be walking around by foot.”

Receiving the vehicle, Suakollie extended thanks and appreciation to Howard-Taylor.

“I am very happy and grateful this afternoon; I don’t know what to do,” he said.

Suakollie said this was the first time in the history of Bong for an official of government to donate such a new vehicle to the council.

The presentation ceremony held in Gbarnga on Sunday was attended by several local leaders of the county including the Jorquelleh chiefdom’s paramount chief, Mary Larteh and the Panta district’s commissioner, Dakeh Paye.

In an unrelated development, Howard-Taylor has also presented L$350,000 (US$2,690) to students in Bong. The Bong Students Council President Association received L$250,000 (US$1,923) of the amount to support its local scholarship program while L$100,000 (US$769) was given to the student council government of Dolokelen Gboveh High School for a project.

Howard-Taylor encouraged the students to be committed to studying their lessons as a means of preparing themselves for the future.

She also reassured them of the government’s commitment to paying the WASSCE fees for students across the country.

Featured photo by Philip Singbah