By: Varney Dukuly
MONROVIA: Exile based Liberian activist, Martin K.N. Kollie, has been formally honored as ‘African Hero’ by the West Africa Democracy Radio for speaking on critical national issues including accountability and the fight for equity in Liberia.
WADR, in its recognition said, activist Kollie has led a series of protests aimed at pressurizing the government, headed by President George Weah, to ensure that inequality and the marginalization of the poor are curtailed in Liberia.
“Martin K.N. Kollie, a Liberian activist who has spoken on critical national issues including accountability and the fight for equity, is our African Hero in this segment,” the West Africa Democracy Radio said in a statement posted on its website.
Activist Kollie is humbled for the accolade and dedicated the award to the Liberian masses whose ‘resilience amid extreme difficulties, is his source of inspiration.’
“We see this as an encouragement to do more – to fight for justice more – to stand up for economic freedom more – and to demand public accountability and transparency more,” he said.
Nearly five years ago, the West Africa Democracy Radio and Radio France International sent their correspondents to have an interview with Kollie who was then a young student leader and created a track of his activities.
And last month, WADR named the activist in Martin K.N. Kollie as an “African Hero” whose interest over the years is hinged to equal and just society.
‘This is what consistency can do,” he said, “I have been on this journey for more than 12 years – Challenged EJS and now challenging GMW. The struggle must never be about us. It’s about our people.”
Kollie stressed that until the Liberian people can have a better life, there will be no rest for him. He said, his time on earth is short, adding, “What can we do to make a difference by positively impacting humanity is of greater concern and essence to me. The rest is secondary.”
Online research on WADR showed that, the West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) is a trans-territorial, sub-regional radio station based in Dakar, Senegal.
WADR was established in 2005 as a project of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) to among other things protect and defend the ideals of democratic and open societies by disseminating development information through a network of community radios in the West African sub-region.
The mission of WADR is the promotion and defense of the ideals of democracy, openness, mutual understanding and respect between individuals and between communities.
This regional radio entity also seeks to promote peace and human security, transparency and the duty to report on governance, regional economic integration, as well as social and cultural development amongst and between the peoples of the West African region.
Through its programs, the WADR provides a forum for diverse opinions to create understanding among people and between people and their governments.
