MONROVIA — Mr. Alphonso Toweh was officially inducted as the new President of the Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) in a ceremony marked by calls for unity, revitalization, and strategic transformation within the country’s media landscape.
Addressing a distinguished audience that included a representative of the Vice President, Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, members of the Liberian legislature, judiciary, diplomatic corps, senior government officials, members of the Press Union of Liberia, and other dignitaries, Toweh opened his speech by expressing deep gratitude to God for His guidance throughout his career and for the opportunity to lead PAL.
Toweh paid tribute to the outgoing leadership and the founding figures of the association, including Mr. Roger Seton, Mr. Sando Moore, and Mr. Stanley Seaklor, acknowledging their foundational work in shaping PAL’s legacy. He also recognized the “Big Six” publishers, led by Mr. Philbert Brown, for their significant role in the industry.
Highlighting the critical role of the media in Liberia’s national development, Toweh called on members of PAL to embrace a new chapter of assertive leadership, unity, and collective action. He outlined an ambitious three-year plan aimed at revitalizing the association and strengthening Liberia’s struggling traditional media sector, especially newspapers, which he described as teetering “between the clutches of survival and doom.”
Toweh urged media executives to explore collaborative approaches, including potential mergers, to sustain media institutions and adapt to evolving challenges. He stressed the urgency for media managers to engage in introspection, research, and open dialogue with journalists and staff to foster innovation and sustainability.
Addressing a controversial issue, Toweh condemned the misuse of the official website of the Presidency for private advertising, describing it as a “grave concern” and promising that PAL would form a team to engage the Executive Mansion to resolve the matter.
The new PAL President called on the government to fulfill its financial obligations to the media, noting that timely payments would ease the financial burdens faced by media houses, particularly in meeting vendor and staff commitments. He expressed hope for positive impact following the appointment of Minister of Finance Augustine Ngafuan, who is seen as a friend to the media.
Toweh also expressed gratitude to international partners such as USAID and Plan International for their ongoing support and urged them to continue investing in media training, empowerment, and sustainability. He emphasized the necessity for the Liberian media to keep pace with global trends to remain relevant and effective.
Closing his remarks, Toweh called for reconciliation and unity among members, appealing to those who had left the association to return and join hands in building a stronger PAL. He invoked the biblical wisdom from Ecclesiastes 3:1, urging that this be a season of peace and fellowship within the association.
“May God continue to keep and strengthen PAL, shower his blessings upon us as members, and most importantly, guide us as journalists to write the truth, say the truth, and stand by the truth,” Toweh concluded.
The induction ceremony marked a hopeful new beginning for Liberia’s publishers as they face the challenges of a changing media environment and reaffirm their commitment to ethical journalism and national development.
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