Bokwaongo: Chief Njie Mbonde charges notables to be agents of peace, development.

The monarch made the call on Saturday, January 3, 2026 while installing the 26 pioneer notables of the chiefdom.

The newly installed notables of the Membea Bokwaongo will help the chief and the traditional council of the chiefdom to pilot the affairs of the village. 

They are selected from all the socioeconomic segments of the village and beyond, including religious leaders, young people, women, and various professional backgrounds.

Addressing the population and notables during the exercise, Chief Albert Njie Mbonde said the goal of putting together such a diverse group of people was to give everyone a fair chance of contributing to the development of the community.  

“We want to bring everybody on board in the task of community development because the village had been in the hands of a few people for too long and we think everybody has a role to play in the development of our village now,” he said.

The selection of the notables portrays the plurality of the village. “Being a notable is not an exclusive of the rich because we need people who can carry across the message of peace, unity and development,” he stressed.

The chief challenged the traditional rulers to work collectively to find solutions to the problems plaguing the village and not the interest of particular individuals.

The fight against alcohol abuse, hard drugs and other challenges facing the community, he said, was the priority of every denizen of the village. 

Some of the problems faced by the village include bad roads, a water supply scheme in need of repairs, and youth unemployment amongst others.

Speaking to the press at the end of the ceremony, Chief Njie Mbonde said the development of the village was a collective responsibility not just for those recognised as notables. 

“People who are here from other parts of the country should respect our traditions and participate in the collective goal of developing it,” he added.

On his part, one of the notables, Awa Fonka Augustine, who is Governor of West Region, said it was an honour to be recognised where he was born. 

The senior civil administrator saluted the village through the traditional ruler, for such an honour to serve his people as a notable. 

“…I have to take this responsibility to see how I can contribute to the development of this village that contributed so much to my childhood,” Awa Fonka. 

Florence Mbwaye Eposi, a female notable in charge of the education department in the village promised to work with the others to ensure that schools are comfortable for the children and make sure that all children in the village attend school. 

She promised to work with the chief, traditional council and villagers to ensure the growth and development of the village.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3665 of Tuesday January 06, 2026