By: Julius Konton
In a celebration blending faith, legacy, and national reflection, former River Gee County Senator Comany A. Wesseh has been named “Father of the Year” by the Monrovia District Conference of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), recognizing decades of Christian fatherhood, public leadership, and contributions to peacebuilding in Liberia.
The honor was conferred during a special Father’s Day recognition ceremony held at the historic Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church in Sinkor, one of Liberia’s oldest Methodist congregations, under the auspices of the Conference United Methodist Men Organization.
The event brought together a cross-section of Liberia’s religious, political, and judicial leadership, underscoring the significance of Wesseh’s contributions both within and beyond the church.
Liberia remains one of Africa’s most deeply religious nations, with over 85% of the population identifying as Christian, according to the 2022 national census, while the United Methodist Church remains among the country’s most influential denominations, operating dozens of schools, clinics, and humanitarian programs nationwide.
The ceremony drew prominent dignitaries including Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., Resident Bishop of the Liberia Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church; political leader Alexander B. Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC); veteran activist Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh; former First Lady Comfort Freeman Sawyer; Associate Justice Jamestta H. Wolokollie of Liberia’s Supreme Court; and several clergy, academics, and legal professionals.
Delivering the keynote sermon under the theme “Quality of a Good Father,” based on 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, retired Lutheran cleric and lawyer Rev. Bartholomew Bioh Colley emphasized that true fatherhood is not measured by wealth, but by moral character and spiritual influence.
“A good father is not defined by the riches he accumulates, but by the righteousness he demonstrates,” Rev. Colley declared to a packed congregation.
He challenged fathers across Liberia to become “ambassadors of Christ” in a country still healing from the scars of conflict and social fragmentation.
Liberia’s civil war, which lasted from 1989 to 2003, claimed an estimated 250,000 lives and displaced nearly one million people, according to international humanitarian records.
During those turbulent years, churches including the Methodist and Lutheran denominations played pivotal roles in peace advocacy and reconciliation.
Rev. Colley specifically acknowledged Wesseh’s role in peace negotiations that helped end the conflict.
“Father Wesseh was not merely present; he was instrumental in the dialogue process that brought Liberia from bloodshed to peace,” he said.
Comany Wesseh’s political career spans decades.
He served as Senator of River Gee County and remains widely respected for his legislative advocacy, democratic engagement, and contributions to post-war governance reforms.
Before his Senate tenure, Wesseh was active in civil society and peacebuilding initiatives, part of a generation of Liberian leaders who navigated the country’s transition from war to democratic stability.
Political analysts often credit Liberia’s sustained democratic transfers of power since 2005, the first in over half a century as partly the result of efforts by peace advocates like Wesseh.
Speaking on behalf of the United Methodist Men, Monrovia District President Father Gareson Bailey described the honor as the district’s highest Father’s Day recognition.
“This award is reserved for men whose lives reflect spiritual discipline, integrity, and sacrificial leadership,” Bailey said.
Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., who has led the Liberia Episcopal Area through major doctrinal and institutional transitions, commended Wesseh for his steadfast loyalty to the church’s mission.
“His life has become a testimony of commitment to God, family, and nation,” Bishop Quire said.
The bishop also praised the overwhelming attendance, describing it as evidence of Wesseh’s enduring influence.
A commemorative plaque was presented to the former senator, honoring what church leaders described as his “faithful service to God and humanity.”
In his acceptance remarks, Wesseh used the moment not only to reflect on fatherhood but to caution against misinformation and division within the Church.
“Our Church has traveled a rocky road because of falsehoods,” Wesseh said, addressing recent controversies surrounding doctrinal debates within global Methodism.
He reiterated his belief in traditional Christian marriage, clarifying what he described as widespread public misunderstanding regarding the church’s stance.
His remarks come amid wider tensions in global Methodism over same-sex marriage and church governance issues that have led to divisions across several African conferences in recent years.
As Liberia continues to rebuild its institutions and strengthen family values in the face of economic hardship where nearly 44% of Liberians still live below the poverty line, according to World Bank estimates, the church says honoring role models like Wesseh remains vital.
The ceremony ended with prayers, tributes, and a renewed challenge to fathers across Liberia to lead their homes with faith, humility, and integrity.
For many in attendance, Wesseh’s recognition was more than ceremonial, it was a reminder that in Liberia’s fragile but growing democracy, fatherhood, faith, and public service remain deeply intertwined legacies.
