Huge African welcome as UNIA-ACL revives Garvey’s mission in Liberia
MEMBERS OF the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) delegation that just returned to the United States from their historic mission in Liberia, Africa, say that they are overjoyed and feeling fully satisfied that they have revived Garvey’s mission to unite all Africans, both socially and economically.
In a release, UNIA-ACL local representative Devon Evans said that was the mission set out to be accomplished by founder and first president general of the UNIA-ACL, Rt Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, in 1920.
Liberia was the place chosen by Garvey to launch this mission in 1920, and although he did not achieve the desired success, all was not lost.
Today, nearly 100 years later, present members of the organisation see this mission as timely and very relevant at this time to help realise the hopes and aspirations of people of African descent.
The 27-member delegation, led by President General of the UNIA-ACL, Michael Duncan, and including international reggae star Jimmy Cliff, was in the country from January 27 to February 2.
“We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love we received,” Duncan declared. “Some people were even moved to tears to see this form of unification, and this further strengthens the UNIA-ACL belief that there is a great future in the world for people of African descent.”
STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS
Liberian President George Weah and his Jamaica-born wife, Clar Duncan-Weah, along with members of his government and members of various ethnic groups, played the role of hosts for members of the distinguished group.
Extended discussions were held with the minister of agriculture to look at establishing cooperation between the UNIA-ACL and Liberia.
Meetings aimed at strengthening relationships between the UNIA-ACL and the various indigenous groups in the country, were also held during the visit.
Duncan is beaming with confidence and pride that the UNIA-ACL is determined and fully committed to realise Garvey’s hope and dreams of a better place in the world for people of African descent, and he is urging these people to start coming together in any way they can and work towards achieving their goals for the future.
In the meantime, reggae star Jimmy Cliff has expressed pleasure upon his first visit to Liberia, extending his stay in that country by three days because of his love for it, he said.