Liberia: Upper Buchanan Ass'n Gets New Leadership

 

— President Jannave V. Massaquoi assures residents of protection, development

Residents of Upper Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on Saturday, December 31, 2022 elected a new leadership for the Upper Buchanan Development Association (UBDA) to assist the government steer the affairs of that historic City, which is the second oldest in the country.

On January 1, the new leadership was inducted for a two-year term at the Charles A. White United Methodist Church in Upper Buchanan. Those inducted  were: Jannave V. Massaquoi, President; Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh, Vice President; and Ms. Comfort Summerville,  Secretary.

Others are Mrs. Lulu Hamelberg, Treasurer; Mr. Cephas Williams, Financial Secretary; and Mrs. Valerie Robinson, Chaplain.

In her induction statement, the new UBDA president, who is also the Assistant Secretary of the Liberian Senate, lauded residents of the Township for their preference and said she would do her best to live up to the confidence reposed in her and her team to serve.

The president of UBDA and the Assistant Secretary of the Liberian Senate, said they are resolved to carry out  three cardinal responsibilities, including "to promote peace and unity among members and citizens of Upper Buchanan. To fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the communities during times of bereavement and celebration of success."

Others are to "encourage and promote education and socio-economic advancement and empowerment of our people from Upper Buchanan and provide a forum for free exchanges of ideas, talents as well as settlement of disputes and to champion the interest of the people of Upper Buchanan."

Jannave added: "This honor is a symbol of our accomplishments... by acknowledging and receiving this honor, I assure you people that our organization's future deeds will only get more skilled and just better. I will ensure that this award is just the beginning and soon with time much more awards are on my way. This courage and confidence have only come from the trust that you people have in me. Thank you for this motivation and faith."

She added: "Working together and seeing such wonderful outcomes is exceptionally wonderful and makes one feel content. Thank you, God, for blessing me with such great people that allow me to bring out the best in me and encourage me to further reset my limits to extremes. Thank you! Each one of you has made this evening way too special and memorable for me."

Meanwhile, the new UBDA president made appeals: "Find it in your heart to come back home often because this is home for us, and unless we value what our forefathers left behind, I do not see how we are ever able to value another man’s land or home. 

Jannave said: "And as a respect to count#1, it is a catalyst to enable  us to protect every land space of Upper Buchanan. Thankfully, we have legal minds amongst us who must now begin to aid us in these endeavors."

The historic Township Upper Buchanan is located at a point of the Atlantic Coast of Liberia on the north shore of the mouth of the St. John River.  It is about 3 miles from the capital city of Grand Bassa County.  It shares boundaries with the City of Paynesberry, John Town and with three of the country's rivers (St. John, Benson and Mclean) flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.  

Upper Buchanan Township is a ward of the City of Buchanan.  The City of Buchanan was established in 1832 and named after the first governor of the colony of Liberia,  Thomas Buchanan — an American politician and diplomat who served as the first official governor of Liberia.  

The Township of Upper Buchanan has the Second Judicial Circuit Court, the county's Jail Compound and other public and private  infrastructure.