Liberian President and Deputy UN Envoy rally support for young Liberian talent14 September 2008 | UNMIL | PR 79
President Johnson Sirleaf congratulates Mr. Swaray as Mr. Ryan, left, and Dr. Bropleh, look on Photo: UNMIL
Moses Swaray performing the title track of his debut album "Keep on Trying"Photo: UNMIL
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Deputy UN Envoy, Jordan Ryan, have called on all Liberians to support the country’s young artists at the launch of the debut CD album recorded by the current winner of the ‘Star is Born’ national talent hunt, Moses Swaray. This programme, organized jointly by the Liberian government and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), at the University of Liberia, featured impressive live performance by the winner, accompanied by several other top Liberian musicians and artistes.
“Once they have gone through all that they have to prepare themselves to reach the level of excellence, the only thing they get in return is support for their efforts and livelihoods,” President Johnson Sirleaf said. She called on all Liberians to desist from the illegal duplication of songs and albums. “We do have the Intellectual Property Law in this country,” she stressed. “As we start to launch this CD album, we want everybody to buy it. The law says don’t burn it; don’t copy it, because that is how we will support our young artists.”
The President commended all the young people who participated in the “Star is Born” competition, stating that they have all excelled through their efforts, stamina, commitment and steadfastness to pursue what they love so much.
Deputy UN Envoy Jordan Ryan, who is also Officer-In-Charge of UNMIL said the event was just one manifestation of the successes being recorded by numerous Liberians in various fields of endeavour. “There is hope for the vision of many stars that are being born in Liberia because they are taking responsibility to make Liberia a more peaceful place, and to make the country’s culture richer,” he observed. Focusing on, ‘Keep on Trying’, the title track for winner Moses Swaray’s debut CD album, Mr. Ryan urged all Liberians to draw inspiration from the lyrics. “Keep on trying. Your time will come. That is how Liberia is going to excel,” the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Recovery and Governance said.
Liberia’s Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Laurence Bropleh, used the occasion to announce the start of the new ‘Star is Born’ competition for 2008/2009 – the third edition so far. “I am proud to be part of this successful journey,” minister Bropleh said. The competition is an effective partnership between the Government of Liberia and UNMIL aimed at identifying and supporting young talent as well as promoting education and discipline among the youth.
Moses Swaray, the young musician won the 2007/2008 competition from a field of over 1000 young persons that participated from all of Liberia’s 15 counties or political sub-divisions. He has made great strides since winning the competition, with his new album receiving a lot of air-play on Liberia’s leading radio stations. Moses Swaray has also been using his talents and in support of anti-crime, stop-rape, and other campaigns and initiatives all over the country.
The production of the debut album was part of the original winning package for the winner of the 2007/2008 contest, which included US$1,500 educational stipend, an opportunity to work with UNMIL Public Information’s Community Outreach Unit in its nationwide sensitization campaigns, and a recording deal provided by Creative Sounds Studio in Monrovia.
Other partners and sponsors for the “Star is Born” competition include Comium mobile phone company, Ecobank, DynCorp, CityDotCom and the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Present at the launch were senior Liberian government and UNMIL officials, President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Alhassan Conteh, representatives of cultural, musicians, and movie unions of Liberia, prominent Liberian musical and movie stars, as well as scores of students and ordinary Liberians.
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