Julius Kanubah Takes Over PUL Leadership, Vows to Restore Accountability and Unity.
By: Samuel B. Johnson
The newly elected President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Julius Kanubah, was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, marking the end of a nearly two-year-long leadership crisis within the union. The ceremony coincided with the union’s 60th-anniversary celebration, heralding a new era of accountable leadership.
In his inaugural address, Kanubah reflected on the importance of this moment, signaling a turning point for the PUL, which had been mired in a prolonged dispute over its membership register. Since November 2022, the union had been without a democratically elected leadership, a void that was finally filled with Kanubah’s induction.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kanubah expressed gratitude to the interim committee, led by former PUL President Peter Quaqua, for upholding the court’s mandate during the leadership impasse. He stressed that the union is “back for good” and committed to enforcing the PUL Constitution with honesty and impartiality while recognizing the growth of Liberia’s media since the end of the civil war.
In a bid to heal the divisions that had plagued the PUL for two years, Kanubah called for unity among all members. “There is no more Team Kanubah, Team Daniel, or Team Unity. We are all Team PUL now,” he declared, extending an olive branch to former President Charles Coffey, former Vice President Daniel Nyankonah, and other former leaders.
Furthermore, the new PUL President outlined his vision for the union, focusing on restoring credibility, integrity, and dignity. He emphasized accountable leadership and impartial advocacy and pledged support for women in journalism. Among his top priorities are the construction of the PUL headquarters and the fostering of inclusive media development.
Mr. Kanubah further announced plans to create a Special Committee tasked with reuniting the union’s membership. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of the PUL Constitution, particularly regarding membership categories and eligibility, to ensure clarity and fairness within the organization.
One major point of discussion will be how the union handles members transitioning into politics, a contentious issue brought to light by the interim committee’s recent experiences. Kanubah emphasized that political affiliations should not undermine the union’s integrity or core values.
Although Kanubah and Vice President Beatrice T. Sieh were inducted, the positions of Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General remain vacant after Akoi Baysah and Julius Konton boycotted the ceremony. The vacancies were declared by interim committee chair Peter Quaqua, who oversaw the rerun of the PUL election on orders from the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.
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