Former Liberian President, George Manneh Weah
In the wake of the controversial demolition of the Coalition for Democratic Change headquarters, former President George Manneh Weah has moved swiftly to establish a comprehensive construction committee tasked with building a new facility for Liberia’s largest opposition party.
The newly formed CDC National Headquarters Construction Committee comprises 23 prominent figures from across the political spectrum, with Hon. Cllr. J Fonati Koffa appointed as chairman and Hon. Nathaniel F. McGill serving as co-chairman. The formation comes just days after government forces demolished the party’s Congo Town headquarters on August 23, an action that President Joseph Boakai defended as court-ordered law enforcement.
Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. will provide advisory support to the committee, while Hon. Eugene Lenn Nagbe takes on the role of General Coordinator to oversee the project’s execution. The committee includes key operational positions, with Mr. John Youbuty designated as treasurer and Famatta Wesseh appointed as secretary.
The diverse committee encompasses representatives from various party wings, including Mamina Carr Gaye from the Youth League and Sriyah Musu Isodjee from the Women’s League, alongside seasoned political figures such as Dr. Marie Scott-Wilson, Cllr. Garrison Yealu, and Mr. Roosevelt Johnson Jr.
Technical expertise will be provided by Madam Ruth Cooker Collins, who serves as Technical Advisor, ensuring the project meets professional construction standards. Other notable committee members include Madam Yvette Freeman, Mr. Quiwu Pepci Yeke, Mr. Kyne Oliver Kyne, and Mr. Yayah T. Sheriff.
Weah has set an ambitious target of completing the new headquarters within one year, authorizing the committee to establish sub-committees as needed to accelerate the construction process. The former president has emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to deliver what he envisions as a “modern, state-of-the-art” facility.
To manage the influx of support following the demolition, party leadership plans to establish a dedicated bank account with publicly available details. Multiple payment methods will be implemented to facilitate contributions from supporters both domestically and internationally.
The construction announcement comes amid heightened political tensions, with Weah describing the headquarters demolition as a “politically motivated action” that represents an attempt to “destroy and erase the CDC.” Party Chairman Janga Augustus Kowo has been directed to convene a press conference addressing what the party characterizes as governmental overreach and the “illegal abduction” of party members during the demolition operation.
The CDC maintains that ongoing legal challenges regarding the property dispute remain pending before Liberian courts, despite the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court’s August 13 ruling that awarded the 4.23-acre property to the Estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard.
This development represents a significant moment for Liberia’s opposition politics, as the CDC seeks to rebuild both its physical presence and political momentum following what Weah termed a temporary setback in the party’s organizational capacity.
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