Whapoe unveils transformational roadmap 

By Lincoln G. Peters

Presidential hopeful Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe has unveiled what he calls the ‘Transformational Road Map’ document for Liberia’s poverty alleviation and food security.

The opposition Vision for Liberia Transformation Party (VOLT) unveiled the road map through a powerpoint presentation over the weekend in Grand Cape Mount County.

Dr. Whapoe stated that the transformational roadmap document is his political manifesto to transform Liberia and better the lives of the Liberian people.

“The Transformational Road Map Document seeks to address agriculture, health, education, employment opportunity and mental empowerment of Liberians for the job market,” he said. 

In the document, Dr. Whapoe said he has programs which includes the old age assistance program, debt moratorium, farmers assistance fund, school lunch program and income-based grant for the desirable.

According to the opposition politician, his poverty target group in the document will focus on those facing extreme hardship, low education, no education and not higher than secondary education in the society.

He indicated that the aim is to enable them get empowered and trained to graduate to the ladder of prosperity.

The VOLT political leader detailed that there will be career counselors at various universities across the country to help students to specialize in what they know. 

Further explaining his roadmap, Dr. Whapoe suggested that there are more jobs in the country, but the problem is that Liberians are not trained and educated according to the job market.

“Most of our jobs here are done by foreigners, not because we don’t have the workforce, but because we don’t have people with the [requisite] job skills,” Whapoe believes. 

Every year, Dr. Whapoe said, a company that will operate in the country will have a responsibility from the government to implement.

Over the weekend, VOLT held its second national convention in Grand Cape Mount County, at the Sinje Public School. 

The program brought together delegates from the fifteen political subdivisions of the country to decide on the newly elected leadership and adopt a new constitution.

During the convention, five delegates from each county voted during the election. 

Dr. Whapoe was elected for the second time to serve as the standard bearer of the party.

Also, Mr. James Dweh Lott was elected as VOLT National Secretary General on a white ballot, followed by his deputy Lusu B. Sulonkpala.

Others elected were Mr. Kiawa Boima, Treasurer, Ms. Christian Z. Harries, Chairperson for inter-party affairs.

For the National chairlady of the party, Ms. Teta O. Gono defeated the incumbent Ms. Tata Kamara 18-12 votes. 

Mr. Erichmond D. Fambullah won as National Chairman of the Party.