Liberian Journalists To Assemble In US For ALJA Convention

The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), annual convention convenes in Delaware State this weekend. Liberian Journalists based in the Americas, Europe, and Liberia are expected to attend the conference; and they will begin arriving in New Castle, Delaware on Friday, October 16, 2015.

The conference is the first post crisis gathering of Liberian journalists since ALJA reactivation in January of this year. It will start on Friday and close on Sunday, October 18^th with a worship service at the Harvest Center International located at in New Castle, Delaware. On Saturday, October 17th, the journalists convene for a general assembly to at the same church to deliberate ALJA’s future, and media development and good governance in Liberia.

An ALJA press release says, the conferees will also, during the general assembly elect officers of the organization for a two year term. Positions to be filled are President, Vice President, Secretary General, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary General. The elections will be followed by a benefit banquet and an induction ceremony of the newly elected officers at 31 Blue Hen Drive, Newark, Delaware.

Ms. Christina Porche, Program Analyst at the US State Department and former Information officer at the U. S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia will deliver the keynote address at the banquet. She will speak on the theme, “Unified and Vibrant ALJA.” Liberia’s Ambassador accredited to the US, Jeremiah Sulunteh will perform the induction ceremony.

ALJA was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1998 by a group of US based Liberian journalists with the sole purpose of uniting current and retired Liberian journalists living in the US and parts adjacent to mobilize resources to assist the Press Union of Liberia strengthens press freedom in Liberia. The organization is also, committed to the advancement of the principle of good governance in Liberia.

ALJA crumbled in the year 2004 due to internal strife amongst its members. However, in November 2014, a group of well-meaning US based Liberian journalists initiated efforts for the rejuvenation of the organization. In January 2015, the journalists convened a mini ALJA convention and put in place an interim leadership with the mandate of jump starting the Association’s reactivation process. The Interim Leadership is led by journalist, Moses D. Sandy, former Editor-in-Chief of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).

Signed: ________________________________
Kelvin Johnson
Director of Communications
Approved: ________________________
Gardea Woodson
Acting Secretary General