Two alumni of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, Priscilla Mah-Belloh, and Melissa Chea Annan were elected Vice President and Secretary General of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA). 

The two female Media Advocates are also members of an online platform “A New Day Advocacy Community”, that seeks to promote the roles of women in society. The two former journalists were elected last weekend at ALJA’s 12th National Convention yes in Philadelphia. 

A former Liberian journalist, Joey Kennedy, who is currently working as an Anti-Money Laundering Surveillance Investigator at the Huntington National Bank, was elected President of ALJA. Mr. Kennedy once served as Director of Communications, at the National Elections Commission in Liberia. 

The convention began on Thursday, October 10, and ended on Sunday, October 13, 2024, with a Thanksgiving Service at the Overbrook Assembly of God Church. The convention brought together former Liberia journalists from several states around the United States. 

The Convention discussed Key elements to set the association agenda, which informs the association’s input to Liberia’s national discourse on good governance and the rule of law and sets the association’s agenda for the year. The theme of this year’s convention was “Addressing Liberia’s Fragility through War Crimes Accountability and Socio-economic Development.” 

The theme of ALJA’s Convention was in furtherance of Liberian President, Joseph Boakai’s decision to establish a War Crimes Court in Liberia, to bring justice, to Liberians who were affected during the Civil War over 21 years ago.

The Speaker of the Liberian Legislature, Cllr Jonathan FonatiKoffa served as Keynote Speaker during the Convention. The Director-General of the Bureau of State Enterprises, Arthur Massaquoi; former Nimba County Superintendent Edith Gongloe Weh and Assistant Foreign Minister Saywar Gbaa, also graced the Convention.



During the Plenary Session, Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailay of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mrs. Tennen Dalieh Tehoungue of Dublin City University, Mr. George Wisner of the Equilibrium Point Investment Inc. and Mr. Bill Burke of Aljazeera Media Network made presentations.