[By: Pewu Y. Sumo]
Bushrod Island, Montserrado County – Representative Jerry K. Yogboh of Montserrado County Electoral District 12 has called on the newly inducted leaders of Soribah Hill Community, Samukai Town, Upper Caldwell, to govern with accountability to maintain the trust of their people.
Serving as the guest speaker at the official induction ceremony for the Soribah Hill Community leaders today, Rep. Yogboh charged the new corps of officers to lead with integrity and foster unity among community residents.
“Today, the people of this great community have renewed their hope and entrusted you with this duty to lead with integrity, to unite and to serve and not to rule,” Rep. Yogboh stated.
The Montserrado County lawmaker went on to define leadership not merely as a position, but as a calling. “Leadership is not a title but a trust from those who elected you,” he declared.
Rep. Yogboh emphasized that leadership begins at the community level, which he termed the “grassroots,” forming the heartbeat of national governance. “It is here at the grassroots level where the dreams and struggles of our people are mostly listened to,” he noted.
He stressed the crucial role of local governance: “When local leadership is strong and accountable, government programs reach the people; when it is weak or divided, even national policy will fail and it will have an impact on the people.”
The Representative stated that due to the importance of accountable grassroots leadership, these inaugurations are not just mere community events, but a national investment in peace, services, and shared progress.
Rep. Yogboh admonished the new officers to see themselves as the “end receivers” of the national leadership for the district, the county, and the country. “The people speak through you the local government, to the representatives and to the national government,” he said.
While clarifying that Soribah Hill Community is not in his district, he expressed his deep honor in serving as a special guest, saying, “development doesn’t have boundary.”
The Montserrado lawmaker then called for a united front in confronting challenges faced by communities across all districts in Liberia. These challenges include bad roads, lack of safe drinking water, challenged school systems, poor healthcare centers, and lack of job opportunities.
“We must unite in our vision, in our collective response to community development,” he urged. “We are one country, one people and one destiny. When one district prospers, the others benefit.”
The District 12 Representative concluded by stating that the progress of Liberia depends on everybody, warning that, “Government cannot do everything.” He called on the new leadership to work with integrity and prioritize tackling the most pressing situations in the community.
Those elected are: Harris Miah Kokeh-Chairman, Edward P. Smith-Vice Chairman, Karoteh K. Bestman-General Secretary, Victoria L. Weah-Chairlady, Otis W. Doe-Financial Secretary, Mamadou J. Jalloh-Treasurer, Apt. Lawrence Yeakehson-Chaplain.
Others are: Kennedy Wolobah-Block B Leader, Tarnue O. Sumo-Block C Leader, Momolu Kromah-Block D Leader, Willie Kollie-Youth Chair and George Deseno-Youth Vice Chair.
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