AEL effects major changes

The Board of Governance of the Association of Evangelicals of Liberia (AEL) has begun a major transformation aimed at making the faith based NGO more progressive and independent.

AEL is Liberia’s largest network of churches and para-church organizations of Evangelical persuasion in Liberia founded in the early 1960s. The Board recently effected changes in the Secretariat by promoting AEL’s financial manager Rev. James Cooper, Jr., to the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board’s General Secretary. He succeeds Rev. Isaac Wheigar, who had left Monrovia for his family’s health matter in the United States of America.

AEL Chief Accountant Madam Abigail Togba, was equally appointed to the position of financial manager, effectively succeeding Rev. James Cooper Jr. The President of the AEL Board of Governance, Dr. Samuel K. Monwell, who officiated the induction ceremonies of Rev. Cooper into office last week, further announced that all appointments take effect.

He expressed confidence in the ability of Rev. Cooper to deliver AEL to a nobly pinnacle. Dr. Monwell said the board needs a more progressive team that would champion sustainable development and reduce dependency syndrome and uphold accountability. He expressed regret that Rev. Wheigar has to be replaced now because of his prolonged absence from job, which affected the smooth operations of AEL.

In response, Rev. Cooper, Jr. thanked the Board of Governance for his preferment and promised to justify the confidence reposed in him. He promised to make sustainable development, semi-independence a reality, and move AEL’s Head office to its own building at the demise of his first three years in office.

Representatives of Tear fund UK and Mission Alliance, among other international NGOs and donors, who graced the occasion, thanked AEL Board for opening a new chapter in line with the new millennium development goals. They also expressed confidence in AEL and pledged to collaborate with the new administration.

The National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church of Liberia, Rev. Pete F. Kollie, who spoke on behalf of all representatives of churches, para-church institutions, local NGOs and Civil society Organizations at the program, lauded AEL for her progressive transformation.

Rev. Kollie however, encourages AEL to strive for inter-dependency in place of semi-independency, as well as open all doors to partnership and collaboration for the betterment of all.

-Editing by Jonathan Browne