MANYU ELEMENTS CULTURAL & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (MECA-USA) TRUTH & RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE ATLANTA GEORGIA OCTOBER 10, 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Agenda 3 Contextual Framework 5 Conference Overview by Mr. Bate Agbor-Baiyee 8 Fact Finding Committee 13 Constitutional Review Committee 15 Management Committee 16 Keynote Address by Mr. Emmanuel Ekumah 20 Welcome address by Major Fidelis Agbor, Chief of MECA Georgia 25 Address by Ms. Patience Ebini – Candidate for Vice Chairperson 26 Speech by Lady K. EttaNdip Arrah-Manyi – Former Vice Chaiperson 31 NEC Handing over process – Report by Former Chairman Sesekou Solomon Egbe 34 Facts about the Tabi Mondi Law Suit – Lessons learned 40 Constitution review committee – recommendations 43 Articles of the MECA USA Board of Directors (BOD) 49 Appendix A – MECA USA Financial report 52 Appendix B – email extracts relating to Tabi/Mondi COC Law suit 72 2 MANYU ELEMENTS CULTURAL & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (MECA-USA) Truth & Reconciliation Conference Atlanta, Georgia Saturday, October 10, 2009 AGENDA: _____________________________________________________________________________________ PHASE ONE : -Opening Prayers -Opening Remarks (MECA GA) -Introduction: Conference Coordinators -Introduction: Conference Chair/Co Chair – Remarks by Chair(s) -Remarks by MECA USA 2009 Campaign Teams (Ako-Besong & Agbor-Ebini) -Remarks by former National Chairmen of MECA-USA -Remarks by first Female VP of MECA-USA 1995-1997 -Motivational Speaker – MECA USA: From Conception to Present Day (An Overview of the Association’s history as we examine the need for a more effective organizational framework). LUNCH BREAK PHASE TWO: 1. Fact Finding Committee - NEC Handing-over Process – Egbe’s Administration (Update about the books). - The 2009 Washington Convention Failure: A critical analysis. - Tabi/Mondi against Ako/Besong & MECA-USA (COC) Lawsuit: Lessons learned 2. Constitution Review Committee - Election reforms (Absentee Ballot, Rotational/Sub-Divisional Cabinet, etc.) - Administrative & Structural Reforms (Board of Directors, etc.) - Membership Criteria: Chapter & Individuals. 3. Management Committee 3 - Way forward - Next Elections - Next Convention Date & Venue - Modalities for Ad hoc administration to govern MECA-USA BREAK-RECESS PHASE THREE: 1. Committee Reports/Recommendations 2. Matters Arising from Reports/General Assembly discussions 3. Adoption of Committee Reports & Conference Resolutions 4. Closing remarks by Conference Chair(s). FUNDRAISING GALA/ CULTURAL NIGHT _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4 CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK: Sessekou, Dr. David Tambe, Conference Co-Chair and Ms. Adele Mbeng Tanyi, Conference Co-Chair This conference report documents the details of MECA-USA’s Truth and Reconciliation Conference (TRC) that was held in Atlanta, GA on October 10th, 2009. As the name suggests, the purpose of the conference was to provide a platform for members of MECA-USA to assemble, to debate, to resolve, to reconcile, and to explore solutions to some of the deep rooted problems currently plaguing the organization. This historic conference was the second of its kind. The first such conference was held in Boston, MA (The Boston Summit) ten years ago in April of 1999 when the organization was faced with issues related to clashes at the leadership. The Boston Summit provided a successful platform for members of the organization to dialogue, to restructure, and to advance new concepts designed to transform MECA-USA into a more dynamic and respected organization. The positive outcome of the Boston Summit was well received and praised as a constructive approach to problem solving within the union. This background knowledge and experience was invoked once more in an attempt to tackle some of the pertinent issues facing the organization at present. 5 The current Truth and Reconciliation Conference was triggered by the botched MECA-USA Annual Convention held in Washington DC from July 3-5, 2009. The humiliating outcome of the DC convention was a culmination of failed policies, failed programs, poor decisions, disrespect for the constitution of MECA-USA, disrespect for and at the leadership of the organization, disrespect for the members of the organization, arrogance, previously unresolved conflicts, etc. All of these factors resulted in a significant divide within the organization. MECA-USA was essentially rifted into coalitions of the willing. Major events leading to the rather disjointed state of the organization include, but are not limited to conflicts related to the highly contested MECA-USA election procedure and results in Houston, Texas in July of 2007, issues related to the Tabi/Mondi vs MECA-USA’s NEC/COC lawsuit that ensued from the contested convention process and results, issues related to the non-handing over of MECA-USA documents and transfer of power between the previous Solomon Egbe administration and ruling Peter Ako administration, allegations or rather assertions of embezzlement of MECA-USA funds by previous administration(s), issues related to the fraudulent or apparent fraudulent operations of the Independent Electoral Committee (IEC) prior to and during the convention, issues related to potentially dubious membership lists submitted by MECA-USA chapters to the Independent Electoral Committee, issues related to the handling of absentee ballots by the IEC prior to the convention, issues related to the suspension of some of the members of the organization, etc. The immediate outcome of the failed 2009 DC convention and elections was a vacuum at the helm of the organization. Rather than involve the entire organization, this leadership vacuum was filled by the Council of Chiefs (COC), thus creating further confusion and divide within the essential fabric of the organization. The COC’s decision to retain the incumbent administration was considered unconstitutional and denounced by some MECA-USA chapters, while other chapters agreed to go along with the decision of the COC. Irrespective of the decisions taken at the chapter level, the Council of Chief’s decision to retain the incumbent administration led to additional splits within many of the chapters of MECA-USA. Given the above dysfunctional state of the MECA-USA union, it was imperative that we get together as an organization to rescue the organization from total collapse. The Atlanta Truth and Reconciliation Conference thus provided a platform for members of the union to dialogue, to provide justifications/clarifications to some or all of the problems and allegations cited above, to reconcile eventually, and to explore new approaches to transforming MECA-USA into a more dynamic organization. The conference was well attended and very successful. Details of the conference agenda, the attendance, the issues tackled, the issues resolved, the major resolutions, etc are included in this conference report. I am proud to say that so much was accomplished during this all-day conference. Most of the work was done in committees and reported back to the general assembly. At the end of the conference, the conference participants agreed almost unanimously to form an interim MECA-USA government that will lead the organization during this period of uncertainty and turmoil. The interim government will carefully handle the affairs of the organization until successful elections are conducted at the next convention. It is imperative that MECA-USA be transformed to a dynamic and effective 6 organization worthy of respect and dignity. The next convention was scheduled for July 2-4, 2010 in Atlanta, GA. Details of the deliberations, the resolutions, and the ensuing decisions are included in this report. I implore every concerned Manyu son and daughter to read through the report to get the facts as they were divulged during the course of the conference. We will like to seize this opportunity to thank all those who sacrificed their personal time to attend this conference. We will equally like to thank all those who could not attend, but contributed to the success of conference in one way or the other. We sincerely appreciate MECA-GA for hosting us and for the hospitality. Long Live MECA-USA Long Live Manyu Division Dr. David E Tambe, Conference Co-Chair Ms. Adele Mbeng Tanyi, Conference Co-Chair 7 CONFERENCE OVERVIEW: The meeting began with an inspirational opening prayer delivered by The Prophetic Apostle, Prince, and Reverend, Hamilton Arrey Ayuk. Rev. Ayuk ardently thanked the Lord for voyage mercies and also prayed for those who could not make it. He prayed for, praised and thanked all those who have helped to plan this extra ordinary meeting. He invited our Lord and Savior to guide the hearts and minds that will partake in the deliberations that were to unfold. He prayed that unity, peace and prosperity should reign in Manyu. Furthermore, he prayed for the outcome of the event to be beneficial and far-reaching for the peoples of MECA-USA and the gentle land of Manyu Division. In his capacity as the fire-brand leader of the hosting chapter, MECA-GA, candidate for the MECA-USA Chairmanship elections in 2009, respected Major in the US Army, Fidelis Agbor in clean crew haircut and dapper Italian suit delivered his opening remarks welcoming and thanking everyone for making the sacrifice to come to this groundbreaking conference. On behalf of the people of MECA-Georgia, the Major said he was extremely excited, appreciative and short of words for a) the dedication and sacrifices of members of the Chapter , b) the members of MECA-USA who staked material and human resources to come from near and far off places and c) for their love and dedication to this treasure called MECA-USA. The major implored all to show tactical accommodation of one another to 8 ensure that our thoughts and actions go a long way to advance the purpose for which we are gathering. (SEE REPORT # 1). In style and excitement, the Major moved on to introduce the crew who will facilitate the business aspects of the deliberations of the conference. Chief coordinator of the deliberation was assigned to Sessekou, Dr. David Tambe (MECA-Dallas) who will be assisted by the able Mrs. Adele Tanyi (MECA-N. Carolina). Notes were to be taken by Mr.