-Womenvoices’ spotlight on female candidates #1.
By: Jerromie S. Walters
As disclosed by the National Elections Commission (NEC), 122 female representative candidates (16%) of the total number of candidates for the representative seats will participate in the pending October 10, 2023, general elections.
As an institution that’s enraged with a passionate interest in heightening women’s issues, we have seen apt reasons in showcasing them to the public, intrinsically on who they are, how they have impacted the Liberian society, and what are their platforms.
On today’s edition, we are bringing to the spotlight seven of these women from different districts in Montserrado County, who are pushing their ways amongst hundreds of men, to ensure women political participation at the legislature, and aid in addressing women issues from that spectrum.
Therefore, we begin with Kuku Younger Dorbor (Counselor-At-Law) Representative Candidate, District Number 3, Montserrado County. She is a Candidate on the Ticket of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) and number 5 on the ballot.
Cllr Kuku Y. Dorbor was born on February 13, 1977 in Montserrado County.
She holds a Bachelor of Law from Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law; a Master, Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Liberia; BBA, Accounting from the Don Bosco Polytechnic Monrovia; . BSc in Management from African Methodist Episcopal Zion University(AMEZU) and a Certificate from World of Faith Bible Institute, Winners Chapel, Congo Town.
As a Counselor-at-Law, Representative Candidate Cllr Dorbor is also a member of the Female Lawyers Association (AFELL), providing legal support to women and children. She has worked as a lawyer with the Henries Law Firm and other firms in Liberia.
Prior to her lawyering career, she served as the Senior Auditor at the Pannel Kerr Forster and Finance Officer of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The Montserrado County District 3 Representative Candidate Cllr. Dorbor is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dorbor’s Foundation,
Cllr Dorbor served the 52nd Legislature (2005-2011) as Representative of District 6, currently District 3, Montserrado County. During her term, she executed several developmental projects including Roads Pavement: Pipeline, Wood camp, Goba chop, Zubah Town and Weaver Avenue. In terms of
EDUCATION: the construction of several public schools including Morris Farm Public school, Soul Clinic Public school, Norvlin Town Public School and the Kema Town Public School. In the area of health, she advocated for the construction of a 50 Bed Room Hospital in Pipeline and also purchased the land.
Regarding WATER AND SANITATION: ensured the provision of the Rehab Pipe born water, Wood Camp, soul Clinic, Pipeline, police Academy, Du- port road and the Harmon Field Outland Community and ensured the provision of electricity to Du- port Road, Red- Light and Wood Camp.
While in the 52nd Legislature, Cllr. Dorbor served on several committees including
Chair, Human Rights Committee (2009 to Jan. 15, 2011); Co- Chair, Mont. Legislative Caucus (2006 to Jan. 15, 2011); Bureau of State Enterprise (Member 2006 to Jan. 15, 2011); Judiciary Committee (Member 2006 to Jan. 15, 2011); Bureau of Maritime Commitee (Member 2006 to Jan. 15, 2011; Chair, Parlimentary Network of the World Bank Liberian Chapter (2007 to Jan. 15, 2011); Co- Chair of the West African Chapter (2008 to Jan. 15, 2011); Treasury, Female Legislative Caucus( Member 2006 to 2010); Ways, Means and Finance Committee( Member 2006- 2009) andCo- Chair Public Accounts and Expenditure Committee ( 2006 to 2009).
Additionally she represented Liberia at several international functions including the First meeting of Women Parliamentarian in west Africa and the Arab World, in Abuja- Nigeria; the Revision of the African Action Plan of the World Bank, Abuja- Nigeria; 8th Annual Conference of the Parliamentarian Network of the World Bank in Paris France; and Seminar on Accountability and Legislative Oversight and many other Countries around the world In Helsinki- Finland.
Currently, Cllr. Dorbor believes that the people of district 3 lacks proper representation and leadership to promote sustainable development in the district. On this basis, she has pillared her platform for the district on four key issues including Accountable Leadership; Representation for All; Law Making and Women & Youth Empowerment.
Madam Princess Chicharito Ross, Representative Candidate, District #5 Montserrado County. She is #8 on the ballot from the Vision for Liberia Transformation (VOLT) Party.
She was born on January 22, 1969 to Marie S. Cowan and James A. Ross.
Representative Candidate Chicharito (as she widely called) holds a BBA Degree in Management & Sociology from the African Methodist Episcopal University, Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia and an Associate Degree in Travel Agency Management, Hotel Management, Tourism Marketing, Sales and Advertising from the Morris Community College Airline Studies.
She begun her primary education at the Bong Town School, Bong-mining Company and later graduated from the A.M.E. Zion Academy High School with a High School Diploma and WAEC Certificate in 1993.
Montserrado County District 5 Representative Candidate Chicharito worked with the Orange GSM Network as Sales & Marketing Agent at Cellom; Supervisor/Marketing Manager at the Golden Key Hotel and Social Welfare Assistant at the Liberia National Red Cross Society where she coordinated relief activities, including the distribution of food and nonfood items to vulnerable groups.
She has made contributions to the entertainment industry through the promotion of Liberian entertainers. Additionally, she has contributed and supported infrastructure development, sporting activities, youth education and social welfare programs in district 5, Montserrado County.
Representative Candidate Chicharito intends to lead district #5 through a Platform of Agriculture, transparency, education rule of law, poverty, reduction, universal healthcare youth, empowerment, Women, Empowerment, development, and security. She believes that the district can become stronger and better in terms of Development based on her agenda.
Madam Wokie Dolo, Representative Candidate District 6,Montserrado County. She is an independent candidate and number 2 on the ballot.
Representative Candidate Wokie is a philanthropist and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of La Queen Entertaiment and the National Director of Miss Earth Liberia. She is the former Miss LIberia 2017 and former Miss Cuttington University 2013.
Candidate Wokie is one of the youngest women candidates in the pending 2023 elections. Born on March 31, 1992 in Yekepa , Nimba County, she holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Peace And Development Studies with distinction in Sociology from the Cuttington University and a certificate in Leadership and Campaign Planning from the Young Political Leadership School. At the moment, Candidate Wokie is a Master’s student of the IBB graduate school of the University of Liberia.
During her journey as Liberia’s Queen 2017, she represented and contributed to the country in several ways including charitable works and competing on various international stages, including China, Nigeria, South Africa, The Philippines, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Guinea, the United States of America and Scotland and the UK.
She has contributed and supported scores of young people through education, building and refurbishing facilities and giving to the needy in the district.
District 6 Representative Candidate Wokie Dolo believes that through her leadership, the district would properly be represented at the legislature and through community development. She pillared her leadership aspirations for the district on Women and Youth Empowerment, Healthcare, Education and Clean Environment.
Madam Karishma Pelham Raad, Representative Candidate, District #10, Montserrado County. She is an independent candidate and #12 on the ballot.
She is a Certified Telecom Network Engineer with a First Degree in Business Management from the African Methodist Episcopal University-Liberia (AMEU). She is also a Member of the Student Unification Party (SUP) and a Humanitarian Ambassador of the Federation of African Law Students Association (FALAS).
Representative Candidate Karishma is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the HRH Karishma Charity Foundation; G100 Country Chair of Liberia on Media/Arts and Communications; an Alumni of the Best Diplomats, and an Alumni of the Youth Political Leadership School of Africa, and the Youth Election Fellowship Program.
As a student and youth leader, she has had the privilege to be an affiliate of the All African Student Union, the Liberian National Student Union, the Federation of Liberia Youth, and recently, an ECOWAS Observer for the 2023 Gubernatorial and Presidential elections of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Madam Karishma Pelham Raad is a student of the European Academy of Diplomacy in Poland studying International Diplomacy as well as a Graduate Student of African Methodist Episcopal Graduate School (AMEGS) in Liberia studying International Relations- emphasis in Foreign Service Leadership (FSL).
After a vigorous growth in the telecom technical sector for over 12 years evolving to an engineer, she migrated into politics in 2019. This change was compelling due to her passion to impact lives through cooperate – social engagements and Charitable works. She holds an awesome and celebrated history of service to professionalism without political power. Those many years of impactful experience with Lonestarcell MTN and COMIUM Liberia accelerated and modernized the telecommunications sector in Liberia.
As a humanitarian, she has made Charitable contributions and endeavors for the betterment of Liberia. Her intention for the representative seat of District 10 Montserrado County is focused on making decent laws for the people of district and Liberia; lobbying for bigger opportunities, and working with everything to make liberia better.
Her style of leadership for district 10 is an inspirational and leading by example. Additionally, she will prioritize and adopt a bottom-up approach to leadership and governance against the top-down approach, where historically, only a select and privileged few have reaped the social, economic and political benefits in our District and Country.
She intends to serve and leave behind legacies that will be echoed for many generations and a name that will be remembered positively in history. Her platform focuses on a heart to give back through Education, Healthcare, Technology Development, Food Sufficiency & Agriculture Development, Tourism, Sports, Entertainment Youth, women self empowerment & Social Inclusion, Security, Good Governance and Administration.
Madam Cornelia Kruah-Togba (Attorney-At-Law), Representative Candidate, District 13, Montserrado County. She is contesting on the Unity Party Ticket and she is #7 on the ballot.
Representative Candidate Kruah-Togba is a lawyer, young Liberian public servant and advocate for youth and women’s empowerment. She has about six years’ experience working in the public sector serving as Program Assistant at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Executive Assistant at the Ministry of Public Works and Chief of Staff to the Minister of Education at varying times during this period.
Cornelia holds an LLB in Law from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia; MA in International Politics and Economics from the Kingston University in London, UK; and a BSc in Economics from the Stella Maris Polytechnic.
She is one of two Liberians who were Inaugural Members of the African Leadership Academy where she studied Leadership, Entrepreneurship and African Students from 2008-2010. On January 21, 2018, because of her “enormous contributions to the cause of efficient and effective management, benefiting Liberia”, she was admitted into the Order of the Star of Africa as an Officer by Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
In November 2018, Cornelia contested as a candidate of the former ruling Unity Party and came 3rd of 11 candidates in District 13, Montserrado County. She is the immediate past National Assistant Secretary General for Press, Publicity & Outreach (Official Spokesperson) and current National Vice Chair for Inter-Party Relations and NEC Affairs of the Unity Party.
Montserrado County Representative Candidate Cornelia is recontesting this year, 2023 and being interested in politics and leadership, she considers public service as her career path and have been committed to this since 2011. She believes District 13 is underrepresented following series of assessments, outreach, and tours made with citizens indicating that the current system has failed them and they need a Representative willing to make new and progressive choices that will improve their living conditions.
On this basis, Cornelia has developed solutions to the problems for the development of District 13 and her intention to lead differently. Her Manifesto is on eight (8) pillars namely: improve accountability, and increase participation in decision making; develop rolls infrastructure for shared prosperity; support, small, immediate instead of businesses is in the district; create an environment for students to unlock opportunities and their potential; create a alternative pathways for disadvantaged youths; support, security, institutions, and Guarantee security for all; expand access to quality primary and emergency healthcare; heal partisan divide and create a unified district.
Towards achieving each of those goals, Representative Candidate Cornelia outlined that she will decentralize power by establishing an executive platform to engage community leaders monthly; develop a district -wide five-year strategic plan with major projects and community initiatives to be completed; use the district development funds to co-finance the repair and rehabilitation of community feeder roads; unlock access to financing for youth entrepreneurs to start businesses that solve issues in their communities and generate sustainable income.
Additionally, ensure the establishment of a well-designed learning hub to provide students the opportunity to learn basic computer science and information technology and explore interests in the creative arts; strengthen and expand the current drugs awareness and resistance education movement; support community watch groups to fight crime and keep families safe at night; create a well-equipped and coordinated emergency response team; ensure inclusiveness and community-balance in all our activities and establish a Legislative Review/Drafting desk in the office for the Representative of District 13 to review existing legislations and recommend necessary amendments.
The Montserrado County District 13 Representative Candidate Cornelia envisions a district that would one day be used as a model for how a functional, inclusive and progressive district should be. In terms of contributions to the District, Madam Kruah-Togba has remained engaged with and committed to ensuring infrastructural development as well as social development of the people.
For infrastructural development, she has reconditioned/ grated several communities’ feeder roads since 2018: The Chocolate City road, the Iron Factory (Think of Yourself) road, the New Georgia Junction- New Georgia Bassa Town Junction road, the New Georgia Bassa Town Road, the New Georgia Gulf road, the New Georgia Nigerian Shop road, the New Georgia 1308 road and the New Georgia Old Field road.
She also lobbied with the Liberia Electricity Corporation for transformers, connection and/or street lights for communities including: the New Georgia Nigerian Shop Community, the New Georgia Bassa Town Community- Kpoto Junction, the New Georgia Bassa Town Community- Gabriel Kpolleh and the Chocolate City Community.
Upon the request of the Motorcyclists Union of Battery Factory Community, she constructed a shelter for motorcyclists at the Battery Factory junction. The District 13 Representative Candidate Cornelia has also been involved with advocacy for development on behalf of communities within District 13. One such case was on behalf of the Karnga Island with the TRH Company that led to the construction of a feeder road giving access to the community and the completion of a pipe-born water connection for the community.
For Social Development, Representative Candidate Cornelia Team runs four Flagship Programs, namely: The “Our Time Women Movement” which includes vocational training for women and village savings interventions. Three hundred and fifty (350) participants are currently enrolled; the “Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (DARE) Movement” which targets youth by providing awareness about drug abuse, alternative pathways for disadvantaged youth and rehabilitation options for those who abuse drugs; the “District 13 Medical Outreach” which provides doctors consultation, testing and treatment to residents of District 13 on a rotational basis; A Computer Literacy Program where scholarships are provided to residents of District 13 to learn the fundamentals of computer.
In addition to the flagship programs, she has made several interventions in the district to include: The organizing and funding of a District Covid-19 Response Team and providing hand-washing stations at various communities junctions during the 2019/2020 Covid outbreak; the hosting of regular Christmas parties for children across the district to keep them safe; distribution of school shoes to 100 girls within the district; Hosting of a district football and kickball tournament amongst the 32 official communities; feeding programs to disadvantaged youth during holidays; distribution of clothes and other items to new born babies and pregnant women within the district; distribution of kettles to various mosques within the district; regular cleaning up campaigns across the district; providing mentorship to students and youth across the district through multiple engagements; scouting of talents amongst disadvantaged young people through initiatives of the DARE Movement; providing technical, moral and financial support to various youth and women groups across the district including Noble West African Entertainment, and Empowering Women in Politics, Successful Girls and Women of Substance, etc. She has encouraged the district to produce a leadership that works for them.
Madam Irene Sekle Momo, Representative Candidate District 16, Montserrado County.
She is contesting on the Coalition of Political Parties (CPP) Ticket and number 10 on the ballot.
Representative Candidate Irene Sekle Momo was born on May 23rd 1965 to the union of Mr. O. K. Davies-Sekle and Mrs. Martha J. Sekle in the Borough of New Kru Town, Montserrado County, Liberia.
She acquired her early education at the St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Duala, Bushrod Island. In 1982, she enrolled at the College of West Africa (CWA) on Ashmund Street, and graduated in December 1985 earning a high school diploma.
Her desire to attain a higher education led her to enroll at the then Arthur Barclay Technical Institute (ABTI) in 1986 where she earned a certificate in Book-Keeping in 1987. Knowing that a certificate was not an option for her, she enrolled at the Don Bosco Polytechnic (now Stella Maris) after the ABTI was elevated to an associate degree level and the name was changed. Additionally she earned an associate degree in accounting/business administration in 1989 prior to the civil war in Liberia.
Further, District 16 Representative Candidate Irene Sekle Momo education and internship at the Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) earned her a position in the accounts department at LWSC in 1988. As a result of her hard work and dedication, she was promoted to various positions, the last being Assistant Manager in the Management Information Systems Department at the LWSC, a position she held until her resignation prior to her travel to the United States of America in 2000.
While in the U. S. A., she worked in different areas, but her desire to be a medical provider persisted, which lead her to enroll at the Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) where she did her pre-requisite studies in preparation for the nursing program. In 2007, she enrolled at the Queen’s University of Charlotte, in Charlotte, North Carolina where she earned her associate degree in nursing in December 2009. In March 2010, she sat for her state board examination and was awarded a Registered Nurse (RN) certificate. With her being an RN, she was allowed to practice as a nurse in the US.
Her hunger for education again lead her to enroll at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) in North Carolina in August of 2011, and in December of 2012, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Still hungry for higher education, she enrolled at the Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she earned her Master’s degree in nursing education in May 2017.
She is not just a book worm, she is passionate about helping the poor and needy people of her country Liberia.
With this passion, she started a nonprofit organization called Snohtee Helping Hand Ministry Inc. in 2008 while she was still in nursing school. As a result of the establishment of her NGO, she was able to donate used textbooks to the A. M. Dogglioti College of Medicine, Tubman Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA), the University of Liberia (UL) as well as other institutions as well as individuals in and out of District 16.
Being passionate about health care, Representative Candidate Irene Sekle Momo has been doing health promotion screenings and education as well as donation of medical equipment and supplies to individuals and institutions; with Redemption Hospital being one of the beneficiaries of the hospital equipment/supplies and medications. She realized that checking the blood pressure and blood sugar levels will not be enough; the patients need continuity of care to follow and care for the patients adequately. With this realization, she is currently building a healthcare facility which will help in fully caring for the people of Liberia.
Other areas of support to the district include scholarships to students in and outside of the district; hand pumps to some communities in the district; working tools to communities to clean the drainage system; supported the building of the public latrine in Trowain.
The Montserrado County District 16 Representative Candidate is also a published author. In 2013, she wrote and published a memoir entitled “From Liberia to the USA, how God used me to bless my people“. With the sale of her book, she donated 100% of the proceeds to the nonprofit organization she founded to help the poor and needy people in Liberia, particularly the people from New Kru Town where she was born and grew up. She believes that the help that she provides will not only benefit the people of New Kru Town, but also her beloved district 16 and beyond.
She has pillared her vision for the district on Healthcare & Sanitation; Women Empowerment; Youths Empowerment & Education; District’s Infrastructure Development; Accountability and Unity & Inclusiveness.
Madam Welma Blaye Sampson (Atty-at-Law), Representative Candidate, District 17, Montserrado County. She is an independent Candidate and number 24 on the ballot.
Representative Candidate Atty. Welma Sampson Welma is a lawyer, a social worker, a wife and a mom who was born and bred on Bushrod Island by her Catholic parents. She moved to Brewerville City in 2009 and attended the St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Parker Corner.
She envisions to make Government Work for District 17 and the Progress of the people.
Throughout her career spanning sixteen years, Welma has consistently demonstrated leadership and willingness to serve. She remained passionate about community service and advocacy. Her passion for community service and advocacy moved her to carry on several communities’ developmental initiatives including: Raised funds to provide school materials for 200 students in need; Provided Scholarship to 56 high school students and 12 University Students; Distributed stationery and supplies to public schools in rural District 17; Renovated and constructed 3 public school toilets; Constructed the Jamah Town and Vouzon town hand pumps; Build Market and Roofed the Kamara town hall; Supported the grating of major communities’ roads; Installed solar street lights at major junctions and communities in the Districts; Organized women groups to take action on women’s political participation; Helped small businesses get the financing they needed to stay afloat and paid off medical expenses of 67 domestic violence survivors.
In 2016, Atty. Welma Sampson co-founded Girl Advancing, an organization that inspires girls to complete high school and become college-bound and career focus. She campaigned against sexual and gender-based violence and worked with USAID partner the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) to create awareness on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). During that project, she offered her family six (6) apartment’s property to be used as temporary shelter for SGBV survivors.
Representative Candidate Welma also led an effective campaign to create awareness on ageism following which herself distributed personal kit and assorted food items to older people within District 17. She believes Ageism can be tackle by changing how we all think, feel and act towards age and aging. In the early days of the pandemic, as many families were without income and waiting on the government stimulus package, Welma joined the Liberian Women Humanitarian Network to raise funds and supplied food items to 1,000 families in need, including District 17 residents. She raised funds to sew over 2,000 masks, printed educative materials, and purchased hand sanitizers to distribute to the residents of District 17. In recognition of her effort, she was awarded a Certificate of Honor by the Sanctuary Choir of Geda AMEU Church in Brewerville City.
Montserrado County District 17 Representative Candidate Atty. Welma Sampson was a participant in 2017 and a speaker in 2018 at the African Youth Sustainable Development Goals Summit in Accra, Ghana. She believes that Decent Work is not just a Goal; it is a driver of sustainable development. This belief prompted her quest to serve as co-chair on Workforce, a sub-committee of the Human Development Committee (HDC) of the Joint Presidential Transitional Team that led to the smooth transition of power from Former President Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to His Excellency President George Manneh Weah.
On February 13, 2018 she was appointed as Assistant Minister of Labour. As an Assistant Minister of Government, she successfully played key roles in promoting decent work, strengthening employers-employees’ relationships, solidifying industrial relations and advancing positive labor standards in the employment sector. With expertise in dialogue, she was highly recommended to resolve strike actions at major concessions companies in the country.
Welma understood that progress for citizens in need required greater civic engagement, particularly in the workplace. She drafted the COVID-19 Workplace preparedness guide that was approved to protect workers’ jobs during Covid. She launched nationwide inspections to make sure that employers comply with the provision of the guide.
Welma launched the mothers at work program to create awareness on nursing breaks and promote six months of exclusive breastfeeding to infant.
Working in collaboration with the government, developmental partners and the people of District 17, Atty Welma Blaye Sampson vision for the district is two folds: For the Communities: will ensure Equitable distribution of affordable electricity; improve quality of primary to secondary education with increased investment in teachers, educational facilities and school supervision; Improve quality of primary and secondary healthcare by strengthening community healthcare workers, increasing public health awareness and access to diagnostic facilities and Enhance district wide sanitation through the design and implementation of a comprehensive end to end waste management strategy among others while for the District’s Progress: there will be a Cap tuition for private schools; Lower income taxes for workers and businesses that are expanding in remote areas; Ensure enrollment of more senior citizens on the non-contributory pension scheme; Strengthen local government; Accelerate the beautification of District 17, including the provision of recreational and green spaces; Raise awareness of environmental issues and strengthen environmental protection and foster civic responsibility and community ownership of district level development.
According to Atty Welma, she will utilize the delivery approach to priorities and develop specific initiatives with concrete, measurable targets at communities and settlements levels. A strong performance management system with effective external and internal communication will ensure a heightened level of transparency and accountability in working with various Government ministries, agencies, public corporation and developmental partners. She pledged to lead a consultation process with all residents in forming agreeable plans for the future of the district and it’s people.
There are about 31 independent female representative candidates and 108 independent male representative candidates that are expected to participate in the pending elections. Also, there are about 91 female representative candidates from political parties, and 510 male representative candidates from political parties.
Currently, there are 11 female lawmakers at the national legislature, out of the 103 lawmakers of both the House of Representatives and Senate. Concisely, there are only 9 women out of the 73 members of the 54th National legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
