— Representative of the Year of “Spoon Talk”
Deputy House Speaker Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa has been named among the ‘100 Most Reputable Africans’ of 2023.
A global reputation firm, Reputation Poll International (RPI), on Monday, released the list which features individuals from diverse sectors, including Governance/Leadership, Entertainment, Human Rights/Advocacy, Education, and Business.
“Reputation Poll is a research-based, global performance-management consulting company,” a statement on the firm’s website reads. “Reputation Poll set to become a Global Brand in reputation ratings focused on creating and executing credible opinion on personalities, organizations and brands across multiple industries.”
Deputy Speaker Koffa who became the 36th and Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, the 47th, were the only two Liberians recognized amongst others high-profiled Africans.
According to the company, the selection criteria are integrity, visibility, and impact.
The company further said that in addition to the individuals recognized on Reputation Poll International’s “100 Most Reputable Africans” list for their various achievements, there are also those who are celebrated for their contributions to social impact and social entrepreneurship, helping to transform businesses in Africa and positively impacting lives without causing controversy.
During the announcement of the list, Ms. Beldina Auma, the Co-Chairperson of the Review and Audit Committee, as well as the Chair Emeritus of the World Bank Group-IMF African Society, President of SCIP-International, said the organization is dedicated to recognizing people, groups, and businesses who continually improve lives in Africa and around the world.
Meanwhile, Spoon Talk, Liberia’s premier online television talk-show, has named Deputy Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa as the Representative of the Year 2022—with his impact and influence in his constituency highlighted for his preference.
Deputy Speaker Koffa, who represents Grand Kru County’s District #2 in the Legislature, according to the network, which has a following audience of 317,000, Spoon Talk air on Spoon TV, stands out among his other 72 colleagues during the course of 2022 due to how relatable and influential he was.
The nation’s biggest nighttime TV show is also relayed on Spoon FM, Fabric radio, and Super FM—all of which comprises the Spoon Network. The host, Mr. Stanton Witherspoon, is assisted by five panelists with frequent addition to the list.
As an annual tradition of the network, it selects outstanding lawmakers, within both the House of Representatives and the Senate, who worked tremendously and assiduously during the year.
In observance of this tradition, Deputy Speaker Koffa, was on Friday, 31st December 2022, unanimously voted for as the “Representative of the Year.”
For the Senate category, Montserrado County Senators, Saah Joseph and Abraham Darius Dillon, shared the “Senator of the Year” victory after accumulating a tie vote of 2-2, by the panelists.
The awarders said that the honor was bestowed on the Deputy Speaker for his endeavors in national politics, and continuous fight for the adherence to the Rule of Law, Civil Order, and the Sustenance of the National Development Agenda of Liberia.
His preferment was also as a result of his persistent, lone but loudest voice in the Legislature in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Many women rights advocates consider the Grand Kru Lawmaker as a champion for the fight against FGM.
Before Spoon Network had announced the Deputy Speaker, the astute Statesman was on December 21st, 2022 named “Legislator of Year” by the Independent Probe Newspaper. The IPNEWS gave similar assessment for its choice of the Deputy Speaker.
Over the year under review, the Deputy Speaker, as an executive member of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has publicly spoken against some of the alleged unwholesome practices that were and are attributed to the ruling establishment.
One of those things that Deputy Speaker Koffa publicly voiced out against was the purported plan to protest against United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy, by some purported members of the ruling party.
There are evidence that the work of the Deputy Speaker propelled the relationship of the International community which grew with the visitations of UN, EU, US and ECOWAS delegations, as well as Amb. Beth Va Schaach, the Ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice.
The Special Ambassador of UN Women for Africa for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Madam Jaha Dukuleh including visits from the Senate Vice President of Ivorian Parliament, Chantal M. Fanny, amongs others.
Chief of Office Staff to the Deputy Speaker, Hilary Koffa, in response to the award said: “We are pleased for the selection of Deputy Speaker, Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa to be named Representative of the Year by the Spoon family. I encouraged Liberians to work harder to have a better society. Thanks to Spoon Talk for always informing our people both radio and online. Happy New year. God bless our country.”
See link of main article on 100 MOST REPUTABLE AFRICANS, 2023. – Reputation Poll
