DOWUL new leadership gets legitimacy

The Dock Workers Union of Liberia, or DOWUL, says it has experienced a new dawn and paradigm shift in its institutional structures and modus operandi, moving from a one-man leadership to a fully structured leadership that cuts across all spectrums.

DOWUL, on July 6, 2024, went to the polls and elected a new corps of officers. Those elected include Ballah Kpadeh, President General; Terry Kpowolo, Vice President for Administration; Ciafa Sarnor, Vice President for Operation; and Abel Dada Darway, Secretary General. Others are Sonzai Kelvin Diahn, Director for Workers Education; Christopher S. Diahn, Financial Secretary; Daniel Pailey, Treasurer; Annie Tarley, Women Chair, and Chris Boley, Youth Chair.

Following the election results, former president General Jackie N. W. Doe filed a protest against the Liberia Labour Congress (LLC) and the Ministry of Labour against the elections.

However, in a press release, the new leadership, headed by Ballah Kpadeh as President General, says this was an attempt by the past leadership to undermine the election results, as the Ministry of Labour duly investigated the complaint and the poll results declared valid.

“It is important to state clearly that Comrade Doe’s prolonged stay in power was due to her continual manipulations and refusal to go to elections since she has no history of ever being elected to the position. Thankfully, through the intervention of the Liberia Labour Congress, she finally consented at long last, we went into the democratic process in which she was overwhelmingly defeated”, the release reads.

It notes that since the ascendancy of the new leadership, Madam Doe has allegedly been bent on undermining it on many occasions.

“We are pleased to inform you that after concluding full investigation and in consideration of Jackie N.W. Doe’s illegitimacy, the Ministry of Labour officially withdrew DOWUL’s Certificate of renewal on February 5, 2025, from Comrade Jackie N.W Doe and reissued it to our new leadership headed by Comrade Ballah Kpadeh, President General, in recognition and authentication of our legitimacy.”

Notwithstanding, the new DOWUL leadership notes that Madam Doe, through one of her surrogates in the Union, Momo A. Sambola, has been masquerading with falsehoods about the Kpedeh-led leadership to international partners and affiliates, insinuating that the new leadership is illegitimate, even though the Government of Liberia recognizes it thru the Ministry of Labour.

The release reveals that Sambola was investigated and subsequently suspended on November 12, 2024. “We strongly condemn comrade Sambola’s misrepresentations of our union and his falsehoods being spread about our leadership. Comrade Sambola has escaped from justice, fear of being held liable for conniving with comrade Doe over misappropriations, bad leadership with no single financial report throughout their respective stewardship, falsely claiming to be in a sick bush.”

DOWUL calls on local and international partners, particularly ITF, to refrain from doing business with former president Jackie N. W. Doe and Momo A. Sambola, as their actions are deemed counterproductive to the forward match of Dockers in Liberia.

It notes that Trade Unions all over the world are democratic institutions; hence, tenets of democracy must be adhered to at all times, no matter who is involved or in office.

Meanwhile, the new corps of officers were subsequently inducted into office on August 28, 2024, and has since been working assiduously with all local shops and partners, including the Ministry of Labour.

The release reveals that for the first time in 12 years, the Dock Workers Union of Liberia has moved from a handbag into an official office space. Its national headquarters is located in Battery Factory Community, Japan Freeway, and it has a functional Website (www.dowul.org ).

“Gone are the days when the union was being run from a handbag without an official office”, the release adds.

It says the revamped Dock Workers Union of Liberia held elections for the leadership of all its local shops within four months.

“The Dock Workers Union of Liberia (DOWUL) uses this medium to appreciate its members for their ongoing support and trust during the transitional period and looks forward to achieving significant milestones in the coming years. We’re also thankful to the tripartite management for the cooperation with our new leadership.”

The new leadership says it recognizes the importance of listening to members’ voices and ensuring that everyone has a stake in the future of the dock workers’ union of Liberia, saying, “We are moving forward with optimism and a clear vision for the betterment of all dock workers in Liberia.” Press Release