Critics often have a different angle from which they assess issues. Supporters use the exact opposite angle. In some way, the recent

 intervention of the ULAA Eminent Persons Council (UEPC) is sure to be a consideration for good and or, inadequate performance assessment.

One fact that remains unquestionable is that progress towards an enhanced ULAA Board functioning are promising. This hope, just before last Saturday, April 12^th seemed anything but achievable.

I had little hope that the UEPC would hold the conflicting parties together for any period more than just the first few hours of engagement.  My doubts seemed to have be taking grounds when, infact, the meeting could not start on time.  There was the issue of venue, which was said to have been settled, long before the conference date.  The reality was vivid when concreted efforts were only been made to secure an adequate venue at or near the scheduled meeting time of 10 AM, on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

ULAA President Emmanuel Weetee, although the Administration was represented, had not showed up in Philadelphia. Board chairman James Larsah was equally not on time. Whatever the circumstances may have been, the preliminaries – invocation, welcome remarks and introduction were exhausted before the arrival of both Chairman Larsah and President Weetee.

But the group of former ULAA Board Chairmen and Presidents was determined to ensure that regardless of any flick, it would not compromise the importance of the day’s event. “We have come here to rescue ULAA”, Acting UEPC Chairlady, Mardea Reedves-Karpeh declared. “We can not underestimate the importance of ULAA” Jucontee Thomas Woewiyu, Sr. backed the Acting Chairlady. “Gentlemen, we will sit our butts here today, listen and commit to bringing an end to the current impasse in ULAA” declared Leslie N. Cole. “Each of the parties will be given an equal amount of time”, Arthur Watson, just pass ULAA President announced.  He was the timekeeper. Bai M. Gbala was seen shuttling between the conference setting and resource areas, facilitating stationary and related needs. Others included J. Dekpah Gueh, Jesse M. Cooper, J Mamadee Weah and Al Gbi Toe, Sr. The absence of Mrs. Roberta Rashid and Mr. Anthony Kesselly from the discussions was eye-catching.

By now, the ball was in full motion; it was tense; every word from any of the contending parties was sensitive and somewhat differently interpreted. At one point, a walk out was attempted in the midst of accusations and counter accusations. I kept saying: “Yep, this is the moment of the break down”. But the UEPC remained resolute and proceeded cautiously along the lines of its established rules. The council maintained respect for everyone, even at moments when it seemed obviously displeased with certain actions or utterances. It was a forum that presented a somewhat image of an international conference intended to broker a peace accord. Every concerned party eventually submitted its grievance amidst two short breaks. During the third and longest break, the UEPC met, consulted, and reviewed the presenting grievances.

During the intervening period, half an hour or more, the rest of us were outside of the Philadelphia Chester Street ACANA Facilities. You could count a number of five or more unstable groupings. It was during then, that I actually began to sense the positive impact of the Eminent Persons council. The atmosphere was becoming friendlier and intergroup discussions were tilting more towards proposals to the UEPC, to form the resolution or part thereof. And then, the EPC caucus ended with the invitation of Chairman Larsah, Hon. Dortu and ULAA Secretary General Isaac Zawolo. Boom! A resolution was signed, to the delight of all parties concerned.

The Eminence of the Eminent Council is established for which it deserves to be CONGRATULATED as you read the below ULAA Philadelphia Accord.

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