LIBERIA: WASH Media Honors Samuel H. Pieh
The WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia (WASH R&E) a Media Group comprising over 50 local journalists and media institutions has honored Mr. Samuel Hingha Pieh, Outgoing Coordinator of the Liberia WASH Consortium for his invaluable services to the Liberian people and State in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
Group photo at the close of the Appreciation and Certification Program in honor of Mr. Samuel H. Pieh at the Monrovia City Hall
The WASH Media Network, in collaboration with the Liberia Media Empowerment & Advocacy Foundation Inc., on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 held an Appreciation and Certification Program in honor of Mr. Pieh at a well-attended ceremony held at the Monrovia City Hall in Sinkor, Monrovia.
The Distinguished Honoree, his beautiful Wife and others at the Program
The Certificate of Honor referred to Mr. Samuel Hingha Pieh as “WASH Champion” for his active and motivational role played in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector of Liberia, Africa and the world at large.
The Certificate signed by WASH R&E’s Secretary General, Danise Love Dennis, Chairman Augustine N. Myers and Head of Board, Lawrence G. Kordarwalee, was presented to the Honoree amidst applause from officials of the Liberian Government, Foreign Embassies, WASH Sector Partners, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) including Mrs. Pieh and family members and other well-wishers of the Honoree.
WASH R&E Chairman, Augustine N. Myers presents Certificate of Honor to WASH Champion, Mr. Samuel H. Pieh, as Rep. Richmond Anderson of Montserrado County looks on
WASH R&E Chairman, Augustine N. Myers in a special statement referred to Mr. Pieh as Daddy WASH, describing him as a WASH Hero.
According to him, Mr. Samuel Hingha Pieh provided relevant services in the WASH sector two years ago after his appointments as Advisor for WASH with USAID, Medical Coordinator with Mentor Initiative and Coordinator of the Liberia WASH Consortium, respectively.
He said Mr. Pieh set the foundation for greater empowerment of Local NGOs partnering with the Mentor Initiative to implement Malaria prevention programs in collaboration with the Liberian Government Malaria Prevention Program.
Mr. Pieh as Advisor, was an active contributor and participant in the planning and implementation of the Joint Donor/Development Partners Conference which concluded with the compilation of the Liberia WASH Compact-a road map for strategic WASH interventions for the people of Liberia.
WASH Champion, Mr. Samuel H. Pieh gowned by Montserrado County Representative,
Hon. Munah Pelham, on behalf of the WASH R&E Network of Liberia
Chairman Myers further revealed that the Honoree raised the awareness and motivation for the establishment and empowerment of the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia to help ensure professional and objective coverage of needs and actions for improved WASH.
As the Coordinator of the Liberia WASH Consortium, the WASH R&E chairman recorded that Mr. Pieh immensely contributed to the realization of the Cross Border Learning Exchange between the Urban WASH Consortium in Sierra Leone with the Liberia WASH Consortium.
Sam as he is affectionately and admirably called by associates further played significant roles in the realization of the High Level Inter-Ministerial WASH Meeting hosted by the Liberian Leader, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is also the Good Will Ambassador for WASH improvement in Africa.
The WASH Media Boss said Mr. Pieh has also consistently provided admirable leadership within the WASH Sector, especially amongst International and Local NGOs, National CSOs and the general public, noting that the Honoree has also liaised effectively with Consortium partners, donors, Government and local NGOs in lifting Liberia up in the WASH sector.
Mr. Pieh joined hundreds of marchers through the principle streets of Monrovia to the Seat of the National Legislature to present a petition to Law Makers for increased budgetary support to the WASH sector of Liberia and the creation of a WASH Commission, among others,” averred the WASH Media Chairman.
According to him, Mr. Pieh recently brought together the entire membership of the House of Representatives in an Interactive WASH Legislative Forum led by House Speaker, Alex Tyler, during which time a draft Bill was presented by the Liberia WASH Consortium and WaterAid for the creation of WASH Commission.
Mr. Myers noted the Honoree was instrumental in the successful holding of the first WASH Market Fair in partnership with the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, and other WASH Partners in the country.
According to the WASH Media Chairman, the Honoree also championed other Community services including awareness building and motivation for WASH presentations at the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts(TNINA), the College of Pharmacy, University of Liberia Medical School, participated in the UNICEF Country Program review and planning for 2011 and 2012; Volunteered for the monitoring of the 2011 Legislative and Presidential elections; as well as served as a Resource Person with PSI for information and planning best case management to address burden of disease & risk groups in the country.
“Mr. Pieh has been supportive of advancing the professional image and roles of the Liberia Public Health Technicians and the Liberia Public Health Association. He has visited representative Communities of Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Bong, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Lofa, Grand Bassa, River Cess and Nimba Counties not to mention Montserrado county where he resides with his family”, revealed Chairman Myers”.
He said as members and officials of the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia they were of the greatest pleasure to recognize all of the efforts of Mr. Samuel H. Pieh who selflessly braved the storm to crusade the importance of WASH to improve lives of Liberians and foreign residents.
Mr. Myers meanwhile used the occasion to announce the establishment of a monthly Interactive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Lecture series in honor of the WASH Champion, Mr. Samuel Hingha Pieh.
Chairman Myers said the Samuel Hingha Pieh WASH Interactive Lecture Series will be launched shortly in Monrovia by the WASH Media Network to further highlight progress and challenges in the WASH sector and the way forward.
Mr. Myers pointed out that the recognition of Mr. Pieh is based on his selfless efforts and unwavering campaign aimed at creating an enabling environment for Liberians and others to have access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation and better hygiene services.
In response, the Honoree, Mr. Samuel H. Pieh said the representation of his family and others at the Program truly signifies the importance of the honor bestowed on him, pledging to always champion the promotion of WASH issues everywhere he goes.
The first certificated WASH Champion in Liberia said he will always make Christ the center of his activities and success, because according to him, in Christ there is no east or west, north or south but one great fellowship in the whole world because all God’s people are one and have similar needs and wants for peaceful co-existence.
He said one of his most scripture verses is when Christ said “I have come so that you can have life in all fullness”, thanking God for making him serve in Liberia and pledged his continuous support to the Liberian WASH Sector.
Mr. Pieh who is a Sierra Leonean said he sees his wife and himself as Abraham and Sarah going to where God intends for them to go, and thanked God for making Liberia a blessing to his family.
The Honoree lauded the Liberian government, WASH Sector actors, CSOs, NGOs, media and others for supporting his activities in Liberia.
He used the occasion to call for massive support to the WASH sector to address the needs of people still lacking improved WASH services.
Mr. Pieh also called for support to the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia and others striving to uplift the WASH sector of the country.
The Appreciation and Certification Program of WASH Champion, Mr. Samuel Hingha Pieh brought together other distinguished personalities from the Liberian Government, Diplomatic Missions near Monrovia, the WASH sector, Civil Society, the Media and students, among others.
Brief remarks were made by Representatives Munah Pelham and Richmond Anderson of the National Legislature, Mr. Charles B. Coffey, Secretary General of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Mr. Anderson Chea of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT), and Mr. Leroy Johnson of CHF-International.
Other Institutions that made remarks at the Program were WaterAid in Liberia and Sierra Leone, Oxfam, the Liberia WASH Consortium, UNICEF, USAID, National WASH Promotion Committee and the Liberia CSOs WASH Network, among others.
They all commanded the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia for recognizing and appreciating the contributions of Mr. Pieh in the WASH sector.
They also extolled Mr. Pieh for his active and motivational role in transforming the WASH sector of the country.
According to them, Mr. Pieh will be remembered for his contributions aimed at ensuring Liberians and foreign residents have access to improved WASH facilities, especially in the drafting of a Bill for increased support to the sector and the creation of a WASH Commission, among others.
