December 9, 2020The Liberia National Red Cross Society has elected Mr. Jerome N.J. Clarke II for the second term as president at its General Assembly (GA) which lasted for two days. The GA is the highest decision-making body of the Liberian Red Cross while the President’s role is non-executive and the President is Head of Governance and Chair of the Board LNRCS and as head of governance is the highest office bearer of the National Society. The GA which was held in Sanniquellie, Nimba County from December 1-2, 2020 marked the Liberian Red Cross 50th Assembly which was attended by over 70 delegates from the counties and representatives from the government and witnessed by the media.
Mr. Jerome N.J. Clarke II was reelected along with Mr. Charles Kpan as vice President for the Western Region, Mr. Joseph Nagbe as Vice President for the Southeastern Region, Mr. D. Mongar Grigsby as Vice President for the Central Region. Others elected include Mr. Wee Rogers as National Treasurer, Albert Zorgbe as Chair on the Youth and Volunteer Development Commission and Mr. Philip G. Moore as Chair on Policy and Governance support Commission.
According to Mr. Clarke, his new leadership will be more robust in its national strategies to improve the Red Cross and ensure stability for the future. He said his leadership inherited zero integrity and damaged financial system when he was first elected but said significant gains were made.
However, 2016 was one of the most challenging years in the existence of the NS but the leadership was determined to make a change and today we are proud to recount some of what have happened in the last years of our leadership. Together, we stood up for a change and created a new vision and today, rebuilding our image was not just a wish but a real needful demand in order to regain the confidence and restore our partnership.
It was a wonderful moment that our leadership ended the first century of the Liberian Red Cross which have existed for 100 years. The journey has been challenging, but those challenges were not too strong to end our existence. And this is our greatest achievement as an institution and we are looking beyond to the next century: what can we do better and differently? With our collective effort, we managed to ensure reform amidst Transitional Challenges. It was extremely challenging during the transitional period but together we made incredible gains. Moving forward, 2018 was our year of Consolidating the gains we made together in the first year and rebuilding the CONFIDENCE. We consolidated, sustained and improved the gains we made in 2017.
He said as LNRCS continues to regain the confidence of its donor partners, in 2019 the Leadership started rethinking the future of the NS and asking as to how it could do thing differently in the new century after completing our first 100 years of existence. “Our new thinking includes strengthening our Resource Mobilization in a diverse and unique way, professionalizing our membership based and volunteer network, pushing for new partnership and seeking new support, engaging and exploring to new innovations and creativities” He pointed out.
Mr. Clarke added: “Today we are grateful that the confidence has been reposed in us to stir the affairs for the LNRCS for the next for years and therefore we will be robust in consolidating the gains and sustaining the NS in moving forward. Therefore, we must think together and connect the future better for the NS. Our leadership remains determined to grow and sustain the NS and promote its community actions across Liberia, with a renewed emphasis on local partnerships; Focusing on fundraising and capacitate building to support our humanitarian and development works and ensure that we remain visible, sustainable, functional and relevant”.
In the GA, reports of progress and challenges of the National Society were submitted, viewed and adopted, followed by the elections of the new board of governance which is charged with the responsibility to deliver the affairs of the organization within four years. This year’s General Assembly is being held under the theme: “Thinking Together and Connecting the Future”. International partners of the Red Cross, representatives of the government, civil society organizations and special guests are attending the occasion.
During the opening program of the General Assembly, Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor, President of the Nimba County University College, served as a Keynote Speaker. According to Dr. Walkeryor, the Liberian Red Cross is a hope for vulnerable people in times of needs and disasters in Liberia; as such members of the organization should make sound decision in electing a new unit of leadership that will better represent growth of the Red Cross.
“The emblem of the Red Cross is a symbol of hope and assistance to the needy. It serves as protection and stands for neutrality and independence. This unique image of the Red Cross should remain on and promoted through the work of the new leadership to be elected so that the organization can keep living its purpose of serving humanity,”. He mentioned that the organization has been doing its utmost best to alleviate poverty and fighting human suffering, especially supporting health care and undertaking humanitarian initiatives in the country.
Earlier, giving the overview and objectives of the General Assembly, the Secretary General of the Liberia National Red Cross Society, G. Ambullai Perry said the GA is being focused on four cardinal basis, namely; where did the Red Cross come from in term of development, where does it go it go-relating more improvement, where is it today-regarding present projects and major initiatives and how does it chat its way forward in overcoming challenges to effectively meet the needs of vulnerable people.
Mr. Perry said over the years, the Red Cross has been facing extreme financial problems which affect its operations. The Secretary General praised the Swedish Red Cross for its financial support to the Liberian Red Cross. He said he is hoping that during these General Assembly members of the Red Cross will to reflect, adopt policy and chat way forward in developing the Red Cross.
