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Ayausa's Boss Preaches The Importance Of
Education To Young Graduates In Newark
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Mr. Issa Fofana, President of AYAUSA
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Friday, June 26, 2009 Newark
Mande Youth Association of New
Jersey had its second annual
graduates honoring ceremony in
East Orange, New Jersey. The
program was held to show
appreciation to young graduates
and to also encourage them to
further their studies at institutes of
higher education.
The event was attended by the
President of the African Youth
Association, Mr. Issa Fofana
(pictured left) who served as
keynote speaker. Also in
attendance, were Mr. Famod
Konneh and Mr. Mohammed
Kromah both of whom came as
representatives of the just formed
Organization of the New York
Liberian Mandingo (ONYLMA).
Brother Abe Kromah, Senior
Advisor to Mande and Chairman
of the Board of Felmausa also
attended the ceremony.
Below, is the full text of the
keynote address.
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
I want to begin by thanking you for inviting me to be here today. It is truly an honor for me to have been
chosen from amongst many, many other equally qualified individuals across our community to speak to you
on this important occasion. I am truly grateful for this honor.
I want to give special recognition to the president of the Mande Youth Association of New Jersey Mr. Sekou
Fofana, Vice President, Mr. Mohammed camara, Members of the Board of Directors and members of the
Mande Youth Association.
I want to acknowledge the presence of other official and members representing various organizations here
present. I highly commend you for taking time off your busy schedule to be with us to celebrate and honor
our graduates in grand style.
I also want to recognize the presence of our parents, religious leaders, community leaders and our most
important guest, the graduates of 2008-2009. I say thank you for coming.
Our community and indeed our countries, particularly Liberia, are today at a critical juncture. The road to
reconstruction and rehabilitation after years of brutal conflict is challenging and requires foresight to
navigate. Of all the requirements to successfully put our community, our countries and Liberia in particular,
back on the map of civility and integrity, and also to improve our standings and status in our host nation,
education stands out as the most pivotal. It is in this light, Ladies and Gentlemen, that I ask your
indulgence, as I deliberate on the topic: “The Importance of Education to our community, Liberia, our
countries in Africa and where we live”
Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a clear recognition of the role that education plays in overcoming hardship
and poverty. However difficult it may be, a good education is still viewed as the best possible option to a
better life. It is crucial that we empower ourselves through education. If we seek to be truly competitive as
equal partners in our countries and in the United States, we have to rededicate ourselves to acquiring solid
education.
I tell you without hesitation; a quality education is a prerequisite for the achievement of most social,
political, and economic goals, not only amongst us, but also amongst all peoples everywhere in today’s
world.
In recent times, I have noted with interest and happiness a trend of consistency in our communities in this
regard. We are seeing a lot of initiative in our communities aimed at achieving this end as shown by the
many graduation announcements we are seeing on websites and other media links from our people. Let us
not relent, my dear brothers and sisters for education is an instrument of deep social transformation. The
election of President Obama is a clear manifestation of the social transformation education has to offer. It
was because of the education that a black presidency became possible.
Yes, we have educational deficiency in our communities; yes we have made stride and some gains
throughout these years. But we have to do more if we are to shape our communities to an acceptable
standard. Our young female will have to be equal participants in this entire process if we must succeed as
a community.
Let me point out some of the merits of education. Education develops the powers and capabilities hidden
within us; it fosters individual growth and, by extension, fundamental structural changes in society, changes
that are necessary for the creation of a just and peaceful environment that promotes co-existence with
other communities. For those of you from Liberia, yes we have inalienable rights as original citizens of
Liberia; but with those rights come the duty to be equal and active partners in nurturing Liberia back to
international respectability. Let us demand this recognition through our commitment to education.
Brothers and sisters, through a solid education we can acquire the capacity for intellectual investigation,
become skilled in the art of consultative decision making, and grasp an adequate understanding of our
national body-politic. These knowledge bases will in turn put us in the position to become a compelling
force to be reckoned with in the national scene.
To those of you in school at this point in time, I say thank you for being trendsetters. To those of you
thinking about going to school, I encourage you to do so without further hesitation. Our community needs
you to make that commitment now. Take advantage of the many educational opportunities our host country
has to offer.
To our graduates of 2008-09, I urge you to participate in voluntary services within your communities. It
gives you exposure as to how the real world is view. It is also a motivating force that will enable you to stay
focus. I am also urging you to go online and fill out your financial aid forms if you have not done so. This
and many others are the privileges available to you in this country. The African Youth Association in the
United States of America can be resourceful. Do not hesitate to call on us whenever you need us. We are
ever-ready to assist in this regard since our mission clearly states that we promote and inspire teenagers
and young adults of African descent integrate and assimilate positively into the American lifestyle of
possibilities through higher learning so as to create a vibrant community and positively impact coming
generation of all descents
Let me take this time to call on all parents, guardians, and community leaders to play their role in
encouraging and supporting our young people in whatever way possible to get an education. When each
of us takes on this solemn responsibility with all the passion we can muster, I see our community and our
countries headed to a prosperous future. After all, all of our youths are gems in the rough and given the
opportunity to shine, they just might change our community, our countries and the world for the better.
I want to take this last moment to give special thanks to the organizing committee for a job well done in
organizing this unique and great occasion. I am hopeful and certain that this will not be the end but the
beginning of having many of these kinds of occasions.
Thank you and May Allah bestow His blessings on all of us as we embark on this challenge
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