-Say he shouldn’t turn down their interest
Nimba County residents are voicing their for the appointment of Attorney-Ataw Sondah Geepea Wilson as the next Superintendent, urging President Boakai not to overlook their recommendation.
In his bid to appoint more women to governmental positions, President Joseph N. Boakai is receiving strong backing from the Nimba community for the appointment of Sondah Geepea Wilson as the next Superintendent of the county.
At 79 years old, President Boakai, the nation’s oldest leader, has pledged to bring unity and economic stability to Liberia, emphasizing the importance of female empowerment through ministerial and local government roles.
With less than three months in his term, President Boakai’s administration is under scrutiny for its commitment to ensuring women’s active and equal participation in national decision-making processes, a cornerstone of democracy that is currently under threat.
Amidst unprecedented challenges faced by women, Liberians believe the new Liberian leadership must fully utilize the capabilities, involvement, and leadership potential of women in government to advance gender equality and public service.
Reports from our correspondent in Nimba County reveal that residents are encouraged by President Boakai’s efforts to appoint more women to government positions, acknowledging the positive step taken by his administration in promoting gender diversity within the cabinet.
Furthermore, Nimba citizens are calling on the Commander-In-Chief to address the various obstacles confronting Liberian women, including discrimination, sexual violence, gender disparities in governmental roles, and decision-making processes at all levels.
The citizens are hoping that President Boakai will strive for a minimum of 30% female representation in his cabinet, aiming for gender parity across all levels of government appointments in the country.
In an enthusiastic tone, our correspondent highlighted the strong recommendation of several Nimba citizens to President Boak for the appointment of At-Law Sondah Geepea Wilson as the county superintendent. This endorsement stems from her impressive track record of spearheading numerous development initiatives and social services over the years.
In Liberia, women are significantly underrepresented in crucial leadership positions, including chieftaincy roles ranging from town chief to paramount chief. This disparity also extends to positions such as township, district commissioners, and district or county superintendents.
Madam Geepea Wilson, a recent participant in the 2023 general elections as a representative candidate in Nimba County District #2, boasts a diverse background as a legal expert, social worker, development diplomat, and Chief Executive Officer of Special Emergency Activity to Restore Children’s Hope (SEACH), a well-known non-profit organization both in Liberia and globally.
Known for her unwavering commitment to uplifting her community, Madam Geepea Wilson has been a champion of initiatives promoting job creation, inclusive leadership, women and youth empowerment programs, lifelong skills training, and upholding the voice of the people.
Despite traditional gender norms that limit leadership opportunities for women in Liberia, Madam Sonda Geepea Wilson has defied expectations by empowering rural women to pursue better livelihoods.
Our correspondent on the ground reported that Madam Geepea Wilson founded the “Special Emergency Activity to Restore Children’s Hope (SEARCH)” to provide vital services in child protection, education, health, and emergency response interventions.
The rights advocacy organization SEARCH has evolved from a grassroots entity to a nationally recognized institution, forging partnerships with numerous national and international bodies, including various United Nations agencies such as UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, and UNDP, among others.
Numerous women, citizens, and beneficiaries have reported to our Correspondent that these partnerships have generated over 3,000 full-time and part-time positions for employees and volunteers in Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Maryland, Montserrado, and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
Attorney-At-Law, Sondah, obtained her Bachelor of Law degree from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia. She also holds a post-baccalaureate diploma from the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Mother Patern College of Health Sciences, Stella Maris Polytechnic, as well as other certifications in leadership, human resources management, and humanitarian services. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in International Relations.
The elimination of discrimination breaks down barriers for women, leading to an increase in female workforce participation as opportunities become more equal. This has a positive impact not only on the women themselves but also on the GDP of their countries.
Ruebin Guahn, Jr., a native of Nimba County, took to his official Facebook page early on Saturday to rally support and echo numerous calls for the appointment of Attorney Sondah Geepea Wilson as Nimba County’s superintendent.
“I endorse Madam Sondah Geepea Wilson as the next Superintendent of my County (Nimba). She has been actively involved across the County and is acutely aware of the challenges faced by the local population. She possesses a deep understanding of working with ordinary citizens.”
Guahn emphasized that Madam Geepea Wilson’s contributions to Nimba outweigh those of what he referred to as “American Kou,” stressing that the people of Nimba require a female leader who can listen to their issues and provide solutions.
“She is more than capable of serving the people of Nimba, being a highly respected daughter of the region with significant contributions. She possesses a profound knowledge of the affected communities compared to (American Kou) and has a comprehensive understanding of the Nine (9) electoral Districts, 19 Administrative Districts, among others.”
He, however, urged President Boakai not to disregard the overwhelming interest and support from hundreds and thousands of citizens of Nimba, who are advocating for their chosen candidate over individual preferences. With all eyes on the situation, the motto remains “Operation Maintain Madam Wilson,” as emphasized in Ruebin Guahn’s statement.
If her appointment is confirmed, it would mark the third time a female has taken on the role of superintendent in Nimba County. The legacy began in 1964 with the appointment of Madam Christina Dagadu, followed by Edith Gongole Weh during the administration of former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Research shows that societies benefit greatly from increased female representation in leadership positions. This initiative aligns with the call for more women to participate in politics, echoing the sentiment that gender balance and inclusivity are crucial in local governance.
The voices of many constituents are advocating for the full engagement of women in both citizenship and public service. They assert that women’s involvement is fundamental for a robust democracy, effective governance, and sound policy formulation. Addressing the challenges that women encounter in these spheres is imperative for progress.
