18/12/2023
Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa: the choice worth making for the Speakership (55th Liberian Legislature)
By: Adolphus Kawah
Development Communications Specialist
Now that the Presidential and Legislative elections of Liberia have come to an end with final results announced, all focus have shifted to debates about forming the leadership of the National Legislature, i.e., the honorable Liberian Senate and House of Representatives. I have elected to focus on the latter, as it presents a stronger reflection of the people’s direct representation; as well as, its head, the Speaker, is granted some form of primacy by the Constitution as being the presiding officer of the joint session of the Legislature and is also in the line of presidential succession.
Of the few wannabes for the Speakership, stands tall a revered legal luminary, distinguished statesman and esteemed patriot called Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa. Cllr. Koffa is the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Representative of electoral District #2, Grand Kru County who has received a renewed mandate from his people in the just ended October 10, 2023 elections to serve another term of office. It goes without saying that his reelection is a testament of his excellent performance record with his people.
It is becoming repetitious the expression that Cllr. Koffa is the best choice worth making Speaker of the 55th Liberian Legislature amongst the options spewing forth. His ability to cut across the political divide makes him that perfect icebreaker that will maintain cohesiveness amidst varying political persuasions. Said ability to cut across was demonstrated when he garnered 45 out of the 68 total votes cast in the Deputy Speaker’s election on January 12, 2021 against Unity Party’s Clarence Massaquoi who obtained 20 votes.
It is noteworthy that the House of Representatives was, and still remains, an opposition dominated house with the opposition constituting 29 seats, and when added to the 19 Independent seats will amount to 48 seats against the 25 seats of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of Cllr. Koffa. By this, it is reasonable to surmise that Cllr. Koffa’s contender was in a much more relaxed position to win, but the ability of Cllr. Koffa to make his case beyond party lines and build networks on the substantives landed him the victory.
Since his election as Deputy Speaker, he has been a perfect team player and a dependable assistant to his colleague, the Speaker. But more so, he has demonstrated the art of attentive listening, giving ears to all and every issue confronting his colleagues and being responsive to said issues, which is a major attribute of a seasoned lawyer and specifically a good leader.
As a strong pillar of the Liberty Party then, Cllr. Koffa, in 2016, elected to join national efforts in the much-heralded fight against corruption when he accepted former President Sirleaf’s preferment of him to serve as Minister of State without Portfolio and Chief Prosecutor of the Sable Mining Bribery Scandal Case. He refused to wallop in the subjectiveness of party persuasions, instead, he looked beyond and considered the greater good of the Country; and said case witnessed chilling revelation of evidence presented to the court by the Special Presidential Task Force that former Speaker Tyler threw himself into the alleged bribery syndicate by demanding US$250,000 from Sable Mining to effect changes in the PPCC Act, something which may have led to his removal as Speaker.
Mentioning the supra is an indication that Cllr. Koffa is a dedicated patriot who, amidst his human limitations, harbors the vision of a united Liberia that rises above petiteness. He envisions a Liberia where the Legislature is not seen as a stumbling block to the Executive, but an effective collaborator to enhancing a people-centered national development agenda.
It will be remiss were I not to mention the fact that electing Cllr. Koffa as Speaker of the 55th Legislature will demonstrate a balanced of power both regionally and politically, considering that he comes from the South-eastern region while the President-elect comes from the North-central region, and that he is a member of the soon to be opposition. And lest I quicken to respond to the expected flip-argument that the outgoing Speaker and President are from the same Political Party, that the action of the past was not sensitive to political power balance does not mean we should continue blindfolded.
It is extremely important to posit here that political power balance is not the singular most appealing ground for Cllr. Koffa’s election to the Speakership, but that he brings his wealth of leadership experience as Deputy Speaker/Presiding officer couple with his excellent ability to lobby/negotiate with all sides of the divide, ruling and opposition. His thought of leadership, as being receptive to the views and stances of everyone even if he sees it differently, is what continues to land him the groundswell endorsements that he’s receiving from his colleague lawmakers, both old and new.
More importantly, becoming the Speaker of the Republic goes beyond just merely bearing the title; it comes with greater responsibilities that require one’s experience, inter-personal relations or receptibility, ability to derive solutions in real time, among others; and said attributes have been demonstrated over time the life and leadership of Cllr. Koffa, unlike his supposed contenders like Richard Koon, Musa Bility, etc.
Remember, a good Speaker MUST be someone that is accepted among the ruling and opposition parties. The Speaker should be impartial and fair to all members of the House of Representatives, and should be able to exert authority over complex issues concerning the House of Representatives. Truth be told, these characteristics are clearly lacking in the supra named contenders, which renders them rationally unqualified for said important position. Therefore, I am confident from all indications that electing Cllr. Koffa as Speaker will witness a legislative renaissance in the Republic; where cohesiveness will flourish amongst the three branches of the Government of Liberia and the people of Liberia will ultimately benefit the outcome of a responsible leadership marred by informed and sensitive decision-making, representation and oversight.
And with the foregoing enviable characteristics he bears, anyone of informed judgment can safely posit that Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa is that unmatched candidate with the soundest of inclination of servant-leadership for the position of Speaker of the 55th National Legislature and the Republic of Liberia.
Authored by: Adolphus Kawah, a Development Communications specialist and a Regional Maritime University’s Certified Crisis Communications Fellow (CCF) with over fourteen years of experience in mainstream media (as Editor, Managing Editor & Editorial Consultant) and Public Relations. He’s currently the Director of Communications at the Internal Audit Agency of Liberia.
