A Guest Commentary by: Micheal Biddle

Monrovia, Liberia- September 6, 2020: Dear Women of Liberia,
Greetings!
There have been many times when you spoke out and protested against sexual abuse and violence perpetrated against you and children by us men. Your stance against these horrible crimes has become an enlightenment and inspiration for the good of our country.

Let me draw your attention to recent social media exchanges between celebrated gospel music star Kanvee Adams and a prominent religious cleric Bishop Bah as if you aren’t aware. Not to concern myself with the politics of the two people, what is of interest to me and should be to you is the starling revelation by Kanvee that Bishop Bah purposefully, intentionally, willfully and knowingly without regards to the sanctity of our rape law and the fear of the gospel of Jesus Christ sexually abused a female minor thus damaging the child and her future of having a happy family is more or less impossible.

This is a grave allegation by the iconic superstar that needs the unlimited involvement of all genuine women groups and campaigners against sexual abuse and violence against women and children.

My dear women of Liberia, it reels and bleeds my heart to hear this horrible allegation coming from one of your kind and not a word from any proactive female organization or leader to include the Female Lawyers Association, Female Journalists Association, Women In Peace-building Network, Women Legislative Caucus, Political Parties Women Group, etc is disheartening. While this is an allegation by Kanvee, it doesn’t negate the fact that our outstanding women groups cannot prevail on responsible authorities to probe the allegation and if facts are established that the perpetrator can be prosecuted to serve as a deterent to other religious leaders and others who may think and feel that anyone can commit such horrible crime and go with impunity.

Concluding, it is further disgusting that Kanvee of all person who enjoys the respect and admiration of the population will choose to go silent on such an abuse without exposing and reporting such act perpetrated by A BISHOP a MAN OF GOD, is sickening to the stomach of all decent people. Such is an embarrassment to good family values that our women (mothers) stand for. This advocacy for an immediate probe will continue until the truth of such scaring allegation is established.