Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Senator of Grand Bassa County and President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, has called on the Bassa people at home and in the diaspora to prioritize collaboration, teamwork, and transformational leadership as the pathway to sustainable growth and development across Bassa-speaking counties. Delivering the keynote address at the 34th Annual Convention of the United Bassa Organization in the Americas (UNIBOA), held under the theme “Transformational Leadership:
The Pathway to Sustainable Growth and Development for All Bassa Counties,” Pro Tempore Karnga-Lawrence praised UNIBOA for more than three decades of service in bridging the Bassa diaspora with their homeland. She highlighted the organization’s vital role in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development across Grand Bassa, River Cess, Margibi, and Montserrado Counties. “The United Bassa Organization in the Americas stands as a testament to the progressive vision of the Bassa-speaking people,” she said. “For over thirty years, UNIBOA has preserved our identity and empowered our communities both at home and abroad.”
The Pro Tempore reminded attendees that while the Bassa people have historically been central to Liberia’s cultural, economic, and political foundation, divisions and disunity remain a major obstacle to progress. “Our greatest weakness has never been a lack of potential—it has always been our disunity,” she emphasized. “Too often, political affiliations, rivalries, and personal ambitions divide us, while other regions advance through solidarity. Transformational leadership must challenge us to come together under one umbrella.” Karnga-Lawrence urged Bassa organizations, leaders, and citizens to work as “fingers of one hand” and embrace unity as a foundation for progress. She outlined three concrete initiatives to foster transformation:
She pledged her personal commitment to advancing these efforts: “As a citizen of the Bassa region, across county and political party lines, I pledge to work with you—not just to speak, but to act.” Closing with a traditional Bassa proverb, she reminded her audience that “one finger cannot pick lace,” calling on all Bassa-speaking people to join hands in building a united and prosperous future. The convention, attended by Bassa leaders, delegates, and Liberians from across the United States, was hailed as a moment of reflection and renewal for the Bassa diaspora.
