Cape Mountainians residing in the Americas have mandated their leadership to immediately set-up an Education Rapid Action Team to identify solutions to problems affecting students and the educational system of their county.

The proposed team is to be made out of Education professionals and experts that would work under the supervision of the Education Committee of the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas (NACA).

Participants at NACA’s 6th Annual Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 9-11, 2009, reflected on the past when Cape Mount County was considered the “cradle of education” which saw students from across the country and neighboring Sierra Leone attended schools in the county. The convention had as its theme: Education, Our Top Priority.

The Participants regretted that for the 10 years only two students from the county have successfully passed the West African Examination Council administered National Exams while other counties, including nearby Bomi County have produced significant number of graduates.

The Liberian Journal reporter at the convention said, the urgency to the participants’ mandate was reinforced when NACA’s Education Committee Chairman threatened to resign his position if actions were not taken by the convention to address the dismal performances of students in the county which, he said, would not improve in the near future given the lack of qualified teachers and teaching materials.

Giving a gloomy picture of the county’s education system, Mr. Edward Fahnbulleh spoke emotionally about the need for NACA to intervene by soliciting assistance from international partners, and where feasible, address those issues that can promptly be solved locally.

Following Mr. Fahnbulleh’s report, Dr. H. Momo Fahnbulleh, NACA’s Secretary General, felt challenged and called on his fellow participants to reflect on their own life stories on how they were educated by other people who valued education.

He recounted how he and others desirous of contributing to the education of children of their town prompted the construction of the Diah Public School in Tewor District, Grand Cape Mount and said with genuine support, he was optimistic that Cape Mountainians in general could solve problems affecting the education system of their county.

Dr. Fahnbulleh’s spearheaded fund drive to address pressing needs of the education system of the county generated $2,500. Individuals made donations in memories of relatives and friends who supported their educational pursuit.

Earlier, NACA President Willie A. Givens, Jr., outlined his administration’s achievements over the year and said NACA’s primary emphasis will be fundraising through more creative ways.

“It is essential that members make it their personal mission to tell other people about our vision and our disciplined approach to making a significant difference in the lives of people in need,” Mr. Givens noted. “NACA shall seek to empower people to be self-sufficient and will see to carry out projects in which the efforts and partnership of those being assisted are integral factors for success, because this is the only way development will be sustainable.”

On education, Mr. Givens said “We believe that helping our people to attain decent education and skills will accelerate the development process and result in beneficiaries of NACA’s assistance extending assistance and know-how to multiple others. This is why a well defined, well implemented education investment strategy is so very important.”

Also making report at the convention, NACA Reconstruction Committee chairman Hussein Corneh said partnership is being formed with Plan International and Liberia Rural Development Project on healthcare and education in Grand Cap Mount County.

In his welcome remarks, Samuel K. Massaley, II, of the Indiana chapter said the success of the convention was largely due to collaborative efforts between the local chapter’s members and other Liberians in the State.

Later during the dinner, President Givens honored several NACA personalities for their distinguished service to the Association. Mr. Abraham Massaley, former NACA President, was awarded the NACA Distinguished Service Award; Mr. Hussein Corneh, NACA Leadership Award; Mr. I. Rimisa Williams, Jr., NACA Leadership Award; and Mrs. Jebbeh Jangaba, NACA Manjah-Laing Award.

In response, Mr. Massaley said he was thrilled to have sat in the audience and watched the entire convention proceeded unhindered, an indication that the transition from his administration to the present one was done well without violence and confusion.

During the queen contest, NACA Metro Chapter’s Harriet King-Davies retained her crown when she gave Indiana’s Ashia Emmons a narrow defeat. The convention generated over $12,000 in cash and pledges. Traditional music was provided by Kaikpayee Paasewe of Columbus, Ohio.

Meanwhile, the 2010 convention will be hosted by the Delaware Valley chapter of NACA.

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