Hundreds of Mandingoes gathered on July 4 through 6 and began their convention experience together at the Econo Lodge Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The three day convention focused directly on integrating the entire community under one umbrella and it was a memorable event to be part off.  The convention explored solutions for the common good of the Mandingoes’ community. 

Some of the enormous accomplishments of the convention were educational achievements for our brothers and sisters, traditional based practice of conflict resolution and fund raising. Some of the major highlights included a queen contest between two of our most beautiful women, Ms. Seray Fofana of Pennsylvania who won the crown and Ms. Siasia Kromah from North Carolina. Ms. Kromah won the Best Dressed Queen.

Mediation among members of one the registered chapter yielded fruitful result as both parties agreed to work out an amicable power-sharing in order to restore the much-yearned peace in their community.

The annual FELMAUSA soccer tournament among chapter states from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, among others was held successfully with host state wining the tournament following a 3-1 trashing of rivals New York.

This year convention, the second most important event for Liberian Mandingoes in the Diaspora, especially the USA saw some new faces and notable among them was Moses Bility, aka “Cool J One” of LIMANY. Others included ULAA presidential candidate Anthony Kesselly, Francis Duwana, outgoing LIMAP board member, Sekou Kanneh, another outgoing LIMAP Board member and many others who declared their supports for FELMAUSA.

The FELMAUSA Ways and Means committee executed a database collection of all members, which generated excitement in the leadership. According to current statistics tallied at the convention, more than 500 members have been added to the roster.

The convention saw some of our finest educators and activists serving as panelists to discuss education as our passport to the future. Member of the audience were allowed to engage the panelists who included Liberian historian, Dr. Augustine Konneh, Sam Mohammed Kromah, Cllr. Alvin Teage Jalloh, Ansumana Kosha, Sekou Dudu of Minnesota, Varfee Sherif, another young scholar Mohammed Dukuly of Upper Darby, PA, and many more dignitaries in the community. 

The forum updates key activities and issues, as well as roundtable sessions, during which participants discussed common issues and concerns. The participants elaborated on the importance of education for the advancement of our people. Dr. Konneh discussed the stigma and psychological myth about western education among our people. He stated that “we need to take advantage of the American educational system.”

Earlier, FELMAUSA President Mohammed Richmond Konneh welcomed the participants. He affirmed that his administration will continue to focus on educational issues as means to move the community forward.

The forum was facilitated by Mamadee Sesay, who is vice president of operation of FELMAUSA and Varmuyah Sirleaf, Chairman of the Education Committee respectively.  Member chapters had the opportunity to address the audience in which they provided updates on their activities.