cental

On May 27, 2009, CENTAL continued its nationwide campaign to create anti-corruption advocates throughout the country.  In partnership with and support from Action Aid Liberia (AAL), the campaign targeted the Southeastern Region leading to the birth of the sixth integrity Club (iClub) which was established in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. The event was held at the YMCA Center and brought together more than forty participants in a training workshop to acquire skills in establishing and maintaining small organization, advocacy, and understanding the broad spectrum of corruption. The training workshop was followed by a brief democratic process to establish a five-member interim leadership to steer the affairs of the Zwedru iClub.

 

Prior to the training workshop, awareness created by a contact team of local officers and volunteers including Jerry Kai, Peter Harris, and Jomo Garlo, brought about a massive consciousness and enthusiasm among citizens of the county, particularly citizens in the capital city, Zwedru. The proper arrangement of venues and distribution of invitation letters ahead of schedule helped reinforce the important nature of the event and prompted wide citizens concern and turnout.

 

The workshop was opened by remarks from a representative of the participants and of CENTAL, both of whom expressed happiness for the event. The participant representative in person of Madam Amelia Beh (who would be elected as Finance Officer of the iClub by her colleagues), welcomed the CENTAL team and admonished fellow participants to pay serious attention to presentations made during the workshop to enable them make sound suggestions that would help consolidate the fight against corruption in Liberia. She assured the team of maximum safety while in Zwedru saying “feel at home and move around freely in performing your task”. As for his part Mr. George Ebba who spoke on behalf of CENTAL, while welcoming participants on behalf of the team, expressed thanks to citizens of Grand Gedeh and asked them to take advantage of the training provided during the workshop in order to enhance their advocacy skill. He said the serious blow dealt by corruption on the country’s growth and development now requires collective efforts from all citizens if it should get back on track and realize its poverty reduction programs. Expressing his happiness over the turnout, he said this was clear indication that citizens have all recognized corruption as a plague and have seen the need to join efforts in curbing its calamitous impact.

 

Also making remarks was Mrs. Catherine Harris Karmo of AAL field office in Zwedru City who spoke on behalf of AAL. She was heartened by the turnout and called for the proper utilization of the knowledge to be offered; she encouraged participants to take matters of reducing corruption serious while using the power of working together to help national development and citizens’ empowerment initiative to improve their lives.    

The Sowing Seeds for Change Project funded by AAL primarily focuses on forming iClubs in two of Liberia’s counties – Grand Gedeh and Gbarpolu, located south eastern and south west  respectively as part of CENTAL’s general Sowing Seeds Campaign. The proceeding narrative provides a vivid exposition of how activities earmarked were implemented in Grand Gedeh.