Jonathan Fonati Koffa is a profound political leader adept in the science and art of constituent representation
A report by Congress of African Journalists
The Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, is a profound political leader adept in the science and art of constituent representation. A Lawyer and political leader, whose short but impressive rise to prominence in Liberian politics shows a healthy understanding of politics and the ability to cut across political and ethnic divides to accomplish national goals and objectives. He has been instrumental in passing crucial gender-responsive bills, including the Domestic Violence Bill and the Female Genital Mutilation Bill.
Cllr. Koffa, or JFK, as popularly known in Liberian circles, was born in the then Sasstown Territory (now Grand Kru) County in 1963 into the union of Major Stephen Jaitoh and Margaret Mona Koffa. The son of a military officer; his family relocated to Monrovia in 1966, where he grew up and began his educational journey JFK was recently lauded by the Regional UN Women Ambassador for Africa, Madam Jaha Dukureh, over his efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Liberia. She praised him for being a significant player in the Legislature for championing bills in the interest of women, including the bill to outlaw the practices of FGM. In her words, “we have seen this as an opportunity for us to interact with you, and we would like to say this as a fact that you are a champion in the fight against female genital mutilation in Liberia.” “Honorable, I must confess that your stance against FGM is realistic and honest, and since I have been here, I have not found someone who is so passionate and firm on this issue as you: your dedication, your commitment, your passion and your willingness to champion is excellent, “Amb. Jaha said recently of the Deputy House Speaker of the Liberia’s Legislature. Prior, the Deputy Speaker was very instrumental in the passage of the Domestic Violence Bill.
J Fonati Koffa as the Lawyer
He is the founder and Managing Partner of the International Law Group (ILG), and he has been practicing law since 1997, both in Liberia and the United States of America.
Cllr. Koffa was also admitted into the Supreme Court Bar of the Republic of Liberia with distinct honor as valedictorian of the graduating class.
Political Role
In 2016, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed Koffa as Minister of State without Portfolio and Special Prosecutor of the Sable Mining Bribery scandal case. A few months later, he was appointed legal counsel to the President of Liberia. Cllr. Koffa resigned in late July 2017 to participate in the Presidential and legislative elections as a candidate for the Representative seat in Grand Kru County District #2. On October 19, he was declared the winner of that electoral process, and in 2021, he was subsequently elected as Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
Leadership Role
Deputy House Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa is the immediate past Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the 54th National Legislature. He was a member of the Committee on Elections and Inauguration and the Committee on Human & Civil Rights. He is the current acting Chairperson of the Grand Kru Legislative Caucus at the 54th National Legislature and the Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia.
The Lawmakers’ Lawmaker
The man who is bearing this title is the second in command, Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature, and also the direct representative of the people of Grand Kru County’s district number 2 and is no other but Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
His official office is usually packed as dozens of people in need of financial assistance visit to express their gratitude to the Deputy Speaker for his many supports to the sojourn of most needy individuals who have queued at the office of this man for his generosity at all time. Many of the beneficiaries of Deputy Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, affectionately call ‘JFK’ generosity have poured endless praises on the man they call a man of good heart for his financial support to them and their children’s education.
JFK has always been in the frontline supporting the wellbeing of his people
According to dozens of Liberians including his kinsmen, youths and women groups, it is revealed that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, JFK has always been in the frontline supporting the wellbeing of his people, at some instant, his support to the interest of the people was always borderless, meaning his kindness has no border.
Some individuals who usually speak about him are most times over excited for the level of help been provided to them for their education, and medical needs, noting that he will forever be remembered in their lives for what he has done to improve their livelihood and their respective families. Performing his obligatory duties at the House of Representatives, JFK has also been there to solve the people’s problems at the level as a direct representative of the people.
One of such is the passage and amendment of the Third Amendment to the ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), describing the company as a major investor and stakeholder that has done more positive things in Liberia. “Remember this…it’s a ‘catch twenty-two’ ArcelorMittal is a major investor in the country…a major stakeholder. If I were to rate them between the good and bad, they have done more positive things than negative.”
He made this known in 2022 an exclusive interview in Monrovia, when he said it would be prudent had the Executive, during the negotiation process focused on a performance audit of the AML’s current MDA, to ascertain the company’s level of compliance, amidst claims and counter claims by its stakeholders. “What the House was looking for was the Executive to do a little more of accountability, giving the noise surrounding what Mittal has done or not done. When you give us that report, then, we will be able to put ourselves in a better position to explain to our citizens the process of the ratification and our mindset in ratification,” he added.
He used the occasion to however recognize ArcelorMittal Liberia’s contributions as a major investor and stakeholder to Liberia, adding that the company has done better for the country. Job without border Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa’s services to the people of Liberia is not static, but rather spread out to all the sectors of the Liberian society. For instant, his helping hands during 2022 was extended to the people of Margibi County, particularly to a local church, ‘Harvest Wonderland’ Church where he graciously donated a 2.74 lot of parcels of land.
According to information closed to the Church, prior to the purchase of the land, the Harvest Wonderland Church had been squatting on a private land where owner of the land had threatened to evict them from their squatting spot.
This situation drew the attention of Deputy Speaker Koffa as he surprised them with the donation of the land for the construction of their Church. Speaking to journalists on the issue, the lawmaker said he believed that when you give freely, you will receive freely, noting, “I found out that when you give, you get blessed, and there is no secret about it”, he told legislative reporters last year. A group of university students under the banner Conscious Students of Grand Kru County honored Deputy House Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa in recognition of his numerous development initiatives since he became Representative of the county’s second electoral district.
On the international level, the House Deputy Speaker also called for the expansion of Liberia’s position in the international maritime industry, which will allow the country to regain its place as the number one registry in the world. At the Posidonia 2022, the world’s largest international shipping exhibition that took place in Athens, Greece, Deputy Speaker said although the sector contributed to the Liberian economy over the years, it still has great potentials to do more. The Deputy Speaker, who headed the Liberian delegation, said while the country remains the fastest growing registry in the world and the best in terms of service, it still needs to work harder in order to win back its rightful stature amongst the comity of maritime nations. With over 5000 ships flying its flag grossing 200 million tons, Liberia is the second largest registry in the world but rated as best in terms of service.
Hundred Hails Deputy Speaker Koffa’s Human Development Initiatives. Some time ago, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa affectionately arrived in Lofa County in Northwestern Liberia, specifically in Sarkonedu, Quardu-Gboni District as a direct representative of the Liberian leader, President George Weah to donate L$3m towards the speedy completion of the Sarkonedu High School in Sarkonedu Quardu-Gboni, Lofa County.
During the presentation of the amount, Deputy Speaker Koffa emphasized that President Weah’s administration is passionate about education and believes that, for Liberia to continue on a trajectory of sustainable growth and development, it is imperative that Liberia develops the minds of the youths irrespective of their locations.
It can also be recalled a cross-section of citizens from Grand Kru County especially District No. 2 in an interview with the journalists praised the Deputy Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa as a man without borders. A prominent youth Darius Doe stated that the young people of Grand Kru County, including youths of district # 2, will remain grateful to Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, for accelerating education in the country with the provision of much-needed scholarships. Darius Doe named Deputy Speaker Koffa’s unwavering support to the Ahteenah Development Corporation scholarship program since 2005. The scholarship supported by Representative J. Fonati Koffa has brought financial relief to hundreds of parents and lasting benefit to hundreds of school-going kids across District #2, in Grand Kru County.
It has also been revealed that within the last five years, Deputy Speaker Fonati Koffa, constructed six modern Elementary & Junior High Schools. The Representative without Border continues to contribute immensely to the renovation of other Schools within District # 2, Grand Kru County. The Representative without boarder is also continuing his support to hundreds of youths at various Universities through the Jonathan Fonati Koffa Financial Aid Program. Over the years, the Jonathan Fonati Koffa (JFK) Financial Aid Program at various Universities across Liberia has produced several Graduates, most of whom are enterprising Grand Kru youths with high national leadership potential.
The Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Financial Aid program is currently addressing the financial needs of Grand Kru County youths at Tubman University, where sixty students are currently enrolled. At the United Methodist University, the Jonathan Fonati Koffa financial Aid is supporting 35 students, while the Program continued to support at African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) at least twenty students. For the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University, (AMEZU), the Jonathan Fonati Koffa Financial Aid program has fifteen students, including 10 students at the Stella Marries Polytechnic. The Johnathan Fonati Koffa Financial Aid program has extended to the Smart Institute and other smaller community colleges, with at least 30 other students. At the Graduate School level, the Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Financial Aid program is supporting ten graduate students at the Cuttington and the University of Liberia. Most recently, citizens of Grand Kru County lauded District #2 Representative Fonati Koffa for what they say is his strides to have completed up to ninety-five percent (95%) of all projects earmarked on during his campaign in 2017.
Cllr. Fonati Koffa is reelected Representative of electoral District #2 on the ticket of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). He was first elected on the ticket of then and still opposition Liberty Party in 2017 and resumed office in 2018 defeating then-Representative Numene Bartekwa.
It is said that the Grand Kru District #2 Representative and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives enjoys the confidence of his people as scores of citizens from Buah and Forpoh statutory districts speaking through their Spokesman lauded Rep. Koffa for his effort in improving their district. Dennis George, on behalf of the citizens, noted disclosed that the Lawmaker completed up to 95% of promises he made to the district back in 2017 and noted that in order to have all projects earmarked completed and new ones initiated, it was only fair for citizens of the area to support and reelect Rep. Koffa. George, on behalf of his kinsmen indicated that politicians in Liberia mostly make mouthwatering campaign promises to convince electorates to give them power and fail to live up to their promises when given the opportunities to serve their people, adding that in their case, their leader has been living up to his promises since his election nearly six years ago.
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