Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee has called on Liberian Musician to unite and work together promoting Liberian music to the world and have them recognize for the important role they play in the society.
He describes the music sector as ‘melting point’ in every society and should not be left out, nothing that with only with unity, focus and dedication that the industry will move forward.
According to him, team work would help the music industry to grow and would also help musicians to realize the fruits of their labor.
Speaking at the one-day- Artistic Symposium commemorating this year 2022 Bicentennial edition of the Golden image Award organized by the Liberia Crusader for Peace (LCP), Mayor Koijee emphasized unity as a key in their struggles to fairness.
“In unity and discipline the sky is your limit, he urged them, once again highlighting the Music sector as unique sector that is capable of getting directly engage into the transformation of any nation.
Need for structure formation
Koijee, also wants musicians to get engaged into a structural approach, take charged of their own careers, share information, experiences, and ideas that will benefit and enlighten musicians, performances, among other things.
He cautioned the musicians to be an Ambassador of championing their own causes that will benefit themselves, rather than personality clashes that have existed and divided the industry for so many years.
Mayor Koijee has meanwhile disclosed he would work with the Liberia Crusader for Peace (LCP) Culture Queen, Amb. Juli Endee in organising a 3-days music conference to show-love to musicians as a way to move the industry forward to attract the government attention.
He pronounced at the end of the conference a resolution will be adopted on behalf of the musicians of Liberia, that will attract the government of Liberia interest towards the sector, and with recommendations of budgetary support towards the industry, something Koijee noted that the Budget is for the people and by every means the image of the people, should reflect in the budget.
For her part, Ambassador Juli Endee- founder of the Golden Image Award and Executive Director of the Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP), frowned on Musicians being marginalized but yet they hate each other.
She urged musicians to learned to accommodate and tolerate one another and try to eschew fighting among themselves, but to rather grow with courage, change the narrative and show that musicians can contribute and support to national development.
In furtherance, AmbassadorJuli Endee disclosed that the Golden Image Award is designed to recognize and honor leaders and philanthropists who have helped Liberia achieve its current standing as a post-war success story among the world’s nations by empowering and investing in some form.
According to Queen Endee, the Golden Image Award program is led by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace, with backing from the National Secretariat.
The GIA National Secretariat is comprised of varied experts. Civil society organizations, journalists, artists, women, youth groups, and religious and traditional leaders are local members of the GIA National Secretariat. The international membership of the Secretariat includes event organizers and professionals from the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The GIA National Secretariat and the Liberia Crusaders for Peace are responsible for the preparation, coordination, and execution of different program activities, including the main award dinner, in conjunction with the government of Liberia via the July 26 Steering Committee.
Serving as Keynote Speaker of the Artistic Symposium, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (EJS ) Ministerial Complex, in Congo Town, on Monday July 18, 2022 on behalf of Commerce Minister Hon. Mawine G. Diggs, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Republic of Liberia, Hon. Wilfred JS Bangura, II, challenges musicians to work tirelessly to protect and promote the image of the Liberian Music Industry to attract investment.
Min. Bangura, advised stakeholders in artistic industry, especially those in the music sector to support the government to help the industry grow.
Meanwhile, President George Manneh Weah, is expected to serve as the convener of the award ceremony, while former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the image of the Award. United States Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Michael McCarthy, will serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s Golden Image Award dubbed “200 Years of Commemoration”.
The Golden Image Award (GIA) was established in September 2010, and the inaugural ceremony took place in July 2011.
Since the end of Liberia’s 14-year civil war, the GIA provides a unique platform for Liberia to recognize and honor those individuals, organizations, and nations who have, against all odds, contributed their time and resources to the development, investment, leadership, human rights, peace & security, arts & culture, health, advocacy, humanity, empowerment, democracy, and social justice for all in the world.
