Liberia’s Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has been named among the 100 Most Reputable Africans’ of 2023.
A global reputation firm, Reputation Poll International (RPI), on Monday, released the list which features individuals from diverse sectors, including governance/leadership, entertainment, human rights/advocacy, education, and business.
Reputation Poll is a research-based, global performance-management consulting company,” a statement on the firm’s website reads. “Reputation Poll set to become a Global Brand in reputation ratings focused on creating and executing credible opinion on personalities, organizations and brands across multiple industries.
Deputy Speaker Koffa became the 36th and Activist Leymah Gbowee, 47th, were the only two Liberians recognized amongst other high profile Africans whose selection criteria are based on integrity, visibility, and impact.
Furthered, the company said in addition to the individuals recognized on Reputation Poll International’s “100 Most Reputable Africans” list for their various achievements, there are also those who are celebrated for their contributions to social impact and social entrepreneurship, helping to transform businesses in Africa and positively impacting lives without causing controversy.
During the announcement of the list, the Co-chairperson of the Review and Audit Committee, as well as the Chair Emeritus of the World Bank Group-IMF African Society, President of SCIP-International, Beldina Auma, said the organization is dedicated to recognizing people, groups, and businesses who continually improve lives in Africa and around the world.
Meanwhile, Spoon Talk, has also named Deputy Speaker, Koffa as its Representative of the Year 2022 stressing his impact and influence in his constituency as reasons highlighted for his preference.
The Grand Kru County District 2 Representative, according to the network, stands out among his other 72 colleagues during the course of 2022 due to how relatable and influential he was.
As an annual tradition of the network, it selects outstanding lawmakers at both Houses of Representatives and Senate who worked tremendously and assiduously during the year and in observance of this tradition, Deputy Speaker Koffa, was on Friday, December 31, 2022, unanimously voted for as the “Representative of the Year.”
In the Senate category, Montserrado County Senators, Saah Joseph and Abraham Darius Dillon, shared the “Senator of the Year” victory after accumulating a tie vote of 2-2, by the panelists.
The awarders said that the honor was bestowed on the Deputy Speaker for his endeavors in national politics, and continuous fight for the adherence to the Rule of Law, Civil Order, and the Sustenance of the National Development Agenda of Liberia.
His preferment was also as a result of his persistent, lone but loudest voice in the Legislature in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Over the year under review, the Deputy Speaker, as an executive member of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has publicly spoken against some of the alleged unwholesome practices that were and are attributed to the ruling establishment.
One of those things that Deputy Speaker Koffa publicly voiced out against was the purported plan to protest against United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy, by some purported members of the ruling party.
The Network also claimed that there are evidences that the work of the Deputy Speaker propelled the relationship of the international community which grew with the visitations of UN, EU, US and ECOWAS delegations, as well as Amb. Beth Van Schaach, the Ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice with the Special Ambassador of UN Women for Africa for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Madam Jaha Dukuleh including visits from the Senate Vice President of Ivorian Parliament, Chantal M. Fanny, amongst others.
However, prior to the Grand Kru County District 2 Representative’s selection by Spoon Talk, Independent Probe online and Newspaper also selected Rep. Koffa among the 103 Lawmakers from the Legislature as its Lawmaker of the Year 2022.
