MONROVIA – Mr. Varney Sackey, former Executive Vice President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), has called on ULAA’s Board of Directors to act swiftly to safeguard the organization’s integrity following the controversial political appointment of the current Executive Vice President, Mrs. Emmanuette G. Nagbe.
In a public statement, Mr. Sackey praised Mr. Sizi Goyah for his ongoing efforts to uphold ULAA’s neutrality, particularly in light of Mrs. Nagbe’s recent leadership role in the newly established political party, Citizens Movement for Change (CMC).
Reflecting on his own experience, Mr. Sackey noted that he resigned from his ULAA position seven years ago to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as Deputy Chairman for Administration of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)-USA. He emphasized that holding simultaneous positions in ULAA and a political organization could compromise the union’s neutrality and credibility.
“ULAA’s integrity must be protected at all costs,” Mr. Sackey stated. He indicated that Mrs. Nagbe has two clear options: “She can either resign from her ULAA role and maintain her position in CMC, or step down from CMC to continue serving ULAA.”
Sackey urged the ULAA Board to act immediately to prevent any actions that could damage the organization’s reputation. He also warned that if the Board fails to intervene, chapters may take measures independently to protect the union’s integrity.
“We are giving the Board of ULAA the opportunity to act now,” Sackey said. “But if they do not, we will take necessary steps as chapters to ensure ULAA remains a credible and neutral body for all Liberians in the United States.”
He concluded by invoking unity and collective purpose: “May God bless every chapter in our Union as we continue to work together for the advancement of our country.”
Few weeks ago, this newspaper published a statement from Goyah, Vice Chairman of the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) — the largest ULAA member organization. He was one of the first to publicly raise the alarm.
“The Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) recently appointed ULAA’s sitting Vice President to a prominent leadership role. And now, according to the flyer for the upcoming ULAA National Convention, Musa Hassan Bility — the sole proprietor of CMC — is listed as the Keynote Speaker,” Goyah wrote on social media.
“This is not just a coincidence. It’s a dangerous blurring of lines.” He warned that such developments risk undermining the apolitical integrity of ULAA, which has, since its founding in 1974, served as a neutral platform for Liberians abroad to advocate for peace, human rights, and democratic governance back home.
