Former Speaker of the Liberian Parliament Rt. Hon Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. has noted that people of distinction are normally referred to by their last titles of honor (except in the instance where the new title precedes the latter), ones it is not in the presence or direct conflict with the current tittle holder.
He buttressed his point saying “you cannot refer to Madam Sirleaf or Mr. Weah as Madam President or Mr. President in the presence of President Boakai of the Republic of Liberia.
So fellow Liberians, referring to any of our former leaders; be it President, Vice President, Speaker, President Protempore, Chief Justice, Deputy Speaker, Senator, Representative, Associate Justice, Cabinet Minister, etc…, by their last title of honor is no crime but only in recognition and respect of the service rendered.
For example, the current President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo was Foreign Minister of Ghana when I was Speaker 17 years ago; he still calls me Mr. Speaker every time we meet. Another example, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas was President of ECOWAS Commission when I was Speaker, every time we meet, or on a phone call or text message, he refers to me as Mr. Speaker.
People from the football arena calls me Mr. President though I am former President of LFA and lastly, my coworkers from LPRC calls me Mr. Managing Director or MD whenever we meet even though I am no longer the title holder of any of the above mentioned.
I love Liberia, today, scores of Liberians including my very self as well as some current and former Unity Party officials and members wished Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf happy birthday by appropriately referring to her as Madam President.
As civilized norms dictates, no one has spoken negatively towards any of the posters and I must congratulate the many readers for doing so.
However, by the time former President George Weah is referred to as Mr. President, some of you go ballistic as though the UP Government or President Boakai has been overthrown.
I agree that our country is divided in the middle but let us all remember that we all as citizens have a moral obligation to respect each other and unite our country.
Referring to former President George Weah as Mr. President is no crime. The current President of Liberia is His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., and we all acknowledge that and respect him as such.
Again, happy 86th birthday President Elle
Source: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/EcowasNewsOnline.com
