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Kesselly’s Bid for ULAA Presidency-Browsing His Chances
Jan 26, 2008
Varfley A. Dolleh
 Introduction:
It is with utmost optimism news filtering around that Hon. Anthony V. Kesselly has expressed his bid to stand as one of the contestants for the imminent Union of Liberia Association in the Americas (ULAA), Presidency that is expected to be hectic, with many competent folks of the Diaspora vying for the position. As one would borrow from the Machiavellian Political School of Thought, “The end justifies the means”. In short, it doesn’t really matter how many persons would be declaring their candidacies, the bottom line will be, who wins this prestigious seat. From all indications couple with variable studied thus far, Hon. Kesselly is poised to be a determinant factor. What are those tangible pointers that could lead him to irresistible victory?
Citizenship hurdle as a Factor:
Reading through a scholarly masterpiece of Hon. Gbah Gbalah regarding ULAA pending election for it’s President, he stresses citizenship as a tangible and decisive factor for which the instrument under reviewed is qualified. In fact, Mr. Kesselly is a patriotic Liberian hailing from the Quardu Gboni District, formally the Quardu Gboni Mandingo Chiefdom, Lofa County, Liberia. Whether or not that statement was an insinuation that he is not a citizen is yet to be made known, but the clarity is important in that I saw his photo under the captioned.
Piercing His Attributes:
I may have been fascinated growing up as a young man in Monrovia every time I saw Hon. Kesselly visits his colleagues Hon. Dusty Wolokollie and Cummany Wesseh, both of whom had rented an apartment from my Dad, on Lynch Street, Monrovia, Liberia. I can gaudily bear in mind those tense moments when they met in strategy sessions regarding the Student Unification Party, (SUP) of the University of Liberia. Every time I saw this straight forward, but an iron jacket like individual, was mesmerized wishing to be like him. Gradually, I became one of his fanatics, although was still in high school at the Moslem Congress. This momentum built up to the time of my graduation. Even before I entered the University of Liberia, I had metamorphosed as a young Stalwart of the Student Unification Party (SUP). Although, had to change along with some liberally minded revolutionaries in forming the Student Democratic Alliance (STUDA) of the University of Liberia, of which I became it first elected Chairman.
Charismatic Leadership Ability:
I may have differed with Hon. Kessely on certain issues on moral ground that were more or like dogmatic from my perspectives which is normally expected in a healthy democracy, but that doesn’t preclude me from affirming his positive attributes when becomes necessary. I must affirm that I have explicit confidence in his ability in uniting and effectively steering the affairs of this noble body. Hon. Kesselly is an energetic leader that would go at length in achieving a given assignment. I am a witness to his activism on the University Campus when I sought admission at that great citadel of learning. I still remembered those hectic days when I served as “President of the Freshmen Class” when we interacted openly void of ethnicity, religiosity or social boundaries. He was able to have effectively run the affairs of the University of Liberia Student Union with dynamism. He was a proud President that worth emulation. He was able to have undertaken several development projects on the University Campus that benefited both students and professors. Moreover, was in the vanguard in carrying on the socio-politico and economic awareness drive that had been in- planted by generations. Undeniably, he is no stranger to Unionism.
Whether or Not He Can Beat His Mean Challenger?
Frankly speaking the two front-runners Hon. Kesselly and Mansalley are both equally famous and competent. Like Hon. Kesselly, Mr. Mansalley is a good friend of mine from the University of Liberia up to the time of his ascendancy as head of the “Press Union of Liberia”. He is also a good candidate. But the reality is, who can better articulate the views and interests of Liberians in the Diasporas? While it is true that Mr. Mansalley once served as head of the “Press Union of Liberia”, but nevertheless, gauging the past records of the both men, Hon. Kesselly is more matured and pragmatic. Apart, he can better relates to all strata of the Diasporas community. He has been actively involved with ULAA for a considerable length of time. Presently, he is the “Chairman of the Board of the Association”. This may give him commanding lead over the other contestants. Apart, he has good affinity with various “Liberian Association Organizations”.
Governmental Links:
Hon. Kesselly is one of the finest products of the progressive forces of the late 70s and 80s. He is one of those young stalwarts trained by Professor Amos Sawyer and other prominent politicians. He was an affiliate of major progressives movements that led to the popular 1980 Revolution that brought the indigenous to power. He is well acclaimed in the political circle among the young generation of political actors.
Up to the time of his arrival in the US, he was senior Government Officials in the Sawyer’s Transitional Government. He served as Assistant Minister and Special Assistant to the President at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. He was a major confidant of the president that impacted major policy decisions under the Sawyer’s Administration.
Presently, he works with the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), with the city of Philadelphia, PA. Educationally, Hon. Kesselly hold a bachelor from the University of Liberia and a Master from the Temple University respectively. As an added advantage, Hon. Kesselly is downed to earth and identify him self with various grouping void of ethnic, religious or political affiliations. As a result of this attribute, many analysts feel that he could be best suited for this prestigious job.
Concluding:
It must be noted that it would be a Herculean decision in building a perfect choice for the leadership of ULAA, in that the both are competent. Nevertheless, at the end of the day it is you that would bear the burden of acceptability for the actions of who becomes your President. The decision is yours to make a sober reflection before you cast your ballot. What ever the case may be we need a vibrant ULAA that would foster the interest of Liberian in the Diasporas. The choice is yours to vote Hon. Kesselly or Mansalley!
We want to hear your thought: Varfley1@yahoo.com or (215)-666-2506
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