Monrovia, Liberia – The Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL) has announced the formation of two key committees to manage its upcoming 2025 Congress and Elections, slated for October. At the helm of the Elections Committee is Frank Wleh-Pah Juswen Martin, a reporter with the Independent Newspaper, who was appointed as Chairperson to oversee the electoral process.
In his acceptance remarks, Martin described the appointment as both “a moral covenant and a sacred trust,” pledging to conduct the elections with fairness, impartiality, and accountability. “This responsibility transcends the ordinary; it is not simply an administrative duty, but a test of integrity and a duty to safeguard the ethos of our Association,” he stated.
Martin, widely respected in Liberia’s media for his bold and incisive reporting, assured members that the Elections Committee will guarantee transparency and credibility. “Together with my colleagues, we shall labor with intellectual honesty and moral courage to ensure that the October 2025 Congress and Elections inspire confidence, reflect the will of our membership, and project RAL as a model of internal democracy,” he affirmed.
Joining Martin on the Elections Committee are Grace Bryant of The Inquirer Newspaper as Co-Chairperson, Bobby Marvin Tingban of RAL as Secretary, and members Sally Toulubo (Radio Kakata), Sampson Davies (ELBC), Alvinna Gbeingan (Kool FM), Joseph Kerkulah (Cape Radio), and Ernest Dossan (Shaita FM).
In parallel, a Congress Committee has also been constituted, led by Benjamin Quaye Johnson of Kings FM as Chairperson, with Victoria Wesseh of FrontPageAfrica serving as Co-Chair. This team will handle logistical and organizational preparations for the Congress.
RAL President Willie N. Tokpah, Sr. emphasized the importance of the committees to the credibility of the process. “Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the 2025 Congress and Elections are free, fair, transparent, and inclusive. These committees reflect our Association’s commitment to internal democracy and the future of Liberia’s media community,” Tokpah said.
As part of preparations, RAL announced a reduction in membership dues, lowering annual fees to US$5 per year, with a total of US$15 covering the required three-year period. The move is aimed at broadening participation in the elections by making it easier for more members to qualify.
Secretary-General Bobby M. Tingban, who signed the official release, underscored the importance of membership regularization, urging journalists to take advantage of the opportunity. “Every journalist who believes in the ideals of RAL must seize this chance to help shape the destiny of our Association,” he noted.
For Martin, the appointment carries both professional and philosophical significance. Citing Socrates, he reflected that “an unexamined life is not worth living,” stressing that the scrutiny of RAL’s democratic processes would strengthen the association’s collective spirit.
“Every eligible reporter, from Monrovia to the remotest corners of Liberia, will have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in shaping the future of our Association. My interest has always been to serve Liberia with impact,” Martin concluded.
