*Vivian Akoto

Story by: Our Staff Reporter

Hundreds of young music lovers where thrilled over the weekend at the grand finale of “A Star is Born 2009” competition when the first female emerged as the winner since the initiative was started in 2006. Young musical icon, 19 year-old Ms. Vivian Akoto, was declared winner at the well-attended event held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion. UN Envoy Ellen Margrethe Løj congratulated Ms. Akoto and presented her with an award.

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General for Recovery and Governance, Mr. Moustapha Soumaré, told the gathering that one of the objectives of “A Star is Born” was to use music as an instrument for social change, as a tool for national unity, and as an agent to promote peace and development. “This year’s competition was intended to promote the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) priorities and raise awareness of the critical issues to be addressed in order to continue to build a strong and peaceful Liberia,” he noted.

The competition, now in its fourth year, has fulfilled its purpose through the voices and initiatives of the past winners of the competition, said Soumare. “Investing in young people is investing in the future; the performances we have seen this evening indicate to all of us that the future of this country is very bright indeed.” He expressed optimism that “A Star is Born” will continue to discover the bright light of the young stars of Liberia: “the light that will illuminate the way for this country’s successful future”.

Acting Information Minister Elizabeth Hoff said the “Star is Born” competition hosted by the Liberian Government and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) aims to identify young and potential stars in Liberia and is linked to the Government’s PRS, the national development plan. Ms. Hoff called on Liberian parents and senior citizens to support and guide young people in all of their positive contributions to Liberia.

“Do away with the erroneous concept that our young people  are, by nature, opposed to leadership; they need leadership, and if they cannot find it in the establishment of which they are a part, they become easy prey to people who do not have our country at heart,” the acting Information Minister emphasized. If they cannot trust the elders who are expected to give them leadership, she stressed that they will turn to those who do not mean well, because they have to trust in someone.

UNMIL Chief of Public Information, Mr. George Somerwill, said this year’s event was launched on 19 September. One thousand five hundred (1500) young people from all of Liberia’s 15 counties participated. Of this number, 18 persons were selected and subsequently invited into the Music Academy. After further contests, including six events in Monrovia, only six contestants made it to the finals. In the Academy, the contestants were taught leadership and time management skills, and they participated in training workshops on rape and HIV/AIDS.

He said UNMIL would encourage the Government, organizations and individual Liberians to take the lead in organizing the event for next year. He thanked sponsors to the competition – Comium, Ecobank, Population Services International and CT-Dot-Com – for supporting the concert in diverse ways.

This article was originally published on www.ceasefireliberia.com