-Former President Sirleaf Asserts, As She and Former Vice President Taylor Endorse Edith Gongloe-Weh
By Jerromie S. Walters
Nimba County, Liberia – The senatorial bid of Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh has received a major boost after two of Liberia’s most influential female leaders—former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor—publicly endorsed her candidacy for the upcoming Nimba County by-election.
The former president’s endorsement came on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during a high-profile fundraising campaign held at the Invincible Sports Park in Fish Market, Sinkor. While Madam Sirleaf delivered her endorsement in person, former Vice President Taylor conveyed her support a robust pre-recorded message.
Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh is the only female among five men who are vying to replace fallen Senator Y. Prince Johnson. The National Elections Commission (NEC) has scheduled Tuesday, April 22, 2025, for the conduct of the election when Madam Weh will face current Nimba County District #5 Representative Samuel Gongben Kogar, former Representative of Nimba County District #4 Cllr. Garrison Yealue, former Representative of Nimba County District #9 R. Matenckay Tingban, former Inspector of Nimba County Mack Gbliwon, Torbor Tee Wonokay Farngalo, and Dr. George Parkinson Gonpu at the polls.
“She will do well in the Liberian Legislature”
In her statement, Africa’s first elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, emphasized the importance of increasing women’s representation in Liberia’s legislature. “I am joining the women of Liberia to support women candidates in the legislature. Liberia can not be left behind. Other countries are moving forward to give women their rightful place. Anyone who stops them is stopping progress in the world. So we are here to support Edith Gongloe, a candidate in Nimba County.”
She highlighted Gongloe-Weh’s proven track record, recalling her service as Superintendent of Nimba County during Sirleaf’s administration. “Let me just say something. She served as Superintendent in my administration and she did a very good job. She showed integrity, she showed commitment, she showed dedication, [so] she will do well in the Liberian Legislature.”
Urging Nimba to balance its senatorial scale
If successful, Madam Gongloe-Weh will be the first female Senator of Nimba County. It is also because of this and other apt reasons that Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, a prominent gender advocate and Standard Bearer of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), also threw her full support behind Gongloe-Weh. In her pre-recorded message, Madam Taylor appealed to the people of Nimba to rally behind the only female candidate in the race.
“Greetings to the resilient and progressive people of Nimba County. I am Jewel Howard Taylor, the former vice president of the Republic of Liberia and Standard Bearer of the National Patriotic Party (NPP). I extend my heartfelt greetings and unwavering commitment to the advancement of inclusive governance in our beloved country. Today, as a long-standing gender advocate, I am honored to publicly endorse the candidacy of Madam Edith Gongloe Weh, the only female contender in the Nimba County Senator race.”
She urged NPP loyalists and all citizens to prioritize competence and inclusivity at the polls. “I therefore appeal to all citizens of Nimba County, particularly our mothers and sisters and all loyal members of the National Patriotic Party to stand with Madam Weh at the polls. Let us unite in support of a competent, reliable, and visionary daughter of the soil who has dedicated her life to the service of her people. Indeed, the time has come for Nimba to balance its senatorial scale by electing a qualified woman who will represent your voices with integrity and passion. Vote wisely! Vote Madam Edith Gongloe Weh.”
Even though progress has been made in recent years, women’s political participation in Liberia still a matter of concern as it remains hindered by faces Violence and Intimidation, Lack of mandatory legal Quotas, Cultural and Traditional Barriers, and notably Lack of Financial Resources. Undoubtedly, these have resulted in less women’s representation in the Liberian legislature and discouraged other women from getting involved with national politics.
If Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh succeeds this time, she will bring the number of female senators to four, as there are currently three out of the thirty senators at the Liberian Senate. At the end of the House of Representatives, there are only eight females among the 73 members. This means that there are just 11 females out of the 103 members of the 55th National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, women from diverse backgrounds across Liberia launched the #SheDeservesASeat campaign, in support of Edith Gongloe-Weh in the upcoming Nimba County senatorial by-election. They are dedicating April 15-19, 2025, to generating funds to protect Madam Weh’s votes comes Tuesday.
Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh, a native of Gleayee Zorpea in Nimba County District #9, is a seasoned politician and former Superintendent of Nimba County. She assumed office in June 2009, succeeding the late Robert Kamei, and quickly embarked on transformative projects, including the renovation of the Superintendent’s compound and the construction of schools, town halls, and bridges.
Her leadership was instrumental in Nimba County’s successful hosting of the 2010 July 26 celebrations and the county’s victories in the 2009/2010 National County Sports Meet. Gongloe-Weh remains a prominent figure in Nimba politics, having contested in multiple senatorial elections.
