VP and Speaker Koffa push for unity.

The award acknowledges recipients for their dedication, selfless service, and outstanding humanitarian efforts that have profoundly impacted society.

By Emmanuel Wise Jipoh

Monrovia, July 21, 2024: Liberian Vice President Jeremiah Koung has called for unity through reconciliation and hard work to move the country forward.

Vice President Koung spoke over the weekend at the 14th Edition of the Golden Image Award (GIA) 2024, held under the theme: building Liberia through peace and reconciliation at the Monrovia City Hall.

VP Koung admonished Liberians to put aside political hate and be more practical in their approach to building a new Liberia.

He implored Liberians to quench the spirit of division, which has hindered the progress of the nation, emphasizing that it is about time they ignite the spirit of unity, love, and reconciliation.

“There’s no time for hate. Whether you are blue or green, if you are Andy Quamie or Minister Tanneh Bruson and have worked under the CDC government, and now you are working in the Unity Party Administration, that is, you were blue before, and now you’re green, no, this shouldn’t be,” said Mr. Koung.

He admonished that there is no blue and no green, but “We are all Liberians, and we need to be practical, and we can work, and we all can get the job done.”

According to Vice President Koung, Liberia can only progress with reconciliation and hard work, emphasizing that the problem hindering the growth of the country is getting it from the paper to the ground and starting to work for prosperity.

For his part, House Speaker Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa has admonished Liberians to stop the toxic politics that has divided the nation over the years.

He told the gathering that the days of Liberians fighting among themselves are gone, as they are all one people.

“The toxic has become the order of the day. We fight on everything, be it VIP Lounge and yellow machines, when dialogue could be the simple way out of it,” Cllr. Koffa said.

“When we build together, Liberia will be a better country. The reconciliation we see has to be more genuine, so let’s stop the toxic politics,” he added.

Over 50 top-notch individuals received the prestigious Golden Image Award on Saturday, July 19, 2024.

Among the awardees was Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, who took home the National Excellence Award; Bong County Senator Johnny Kphee, who received GIA economic development award for the year 2024, and Banica Stephenie Elliott, President of the Federation Of Liberian Youth (FLY), received the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Woman of Courage Award.

Others are Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports G. Andy Quamie, who received the George Manneh Weah Legend Sports Award, and Mrs. Dama Yekeson-Koffa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Administration at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, recognized for her exemplary effort towards the health sector, among others.

The Golden Image Award is an annual beacon of recognition that honors individuals and entities, both Liberians and foreign partners, for their significant contributions to improving the lives of Liberians and others worldwide.

The award acknowledges recipients for their dedication, selfless service, and outstanding humanitarian efforts that have made a profound impact on society.

Since its inception in 2011, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has served as the image of the award and its immediate past Convener is former President George Manneh Weah.

Currently, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai serves as Convener.