Following the solemn journey home to lay her beloved sister, the late Mrs. Mercy Chea-Dennis, to rest, Mrs. Melissa Chea-Annan made a meaningful post-burial stop that reinforced the enduring power of professional relationships and cross-border media solidarity.
Melissa is the immediate past National Secretary General of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) and a member of A New Day Media Development & Advocacy Organization.
On last Tuesday, just days after her sister’s funeral, Melissa paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) in Monrovia.
The visit carried both personal and professional significance – it was a reunion with Liberia’s current Minister of Information, Min. Jerolimick Piah, her former classmate, fellow ALJA Delaware Chapter colleague, and a longtime member of ALJA before his relocation to Liberia and appointment by President Joseph Boakai.
What made Melissa’s visit particularly timely was that it coincided with the Ministry’s bi-weekly press briefing, a regular forum for journalists to receive updates from government officials. Minister Piah invited Melissa to observe the session and, in a warm gesture of camaraderie and acknowledgment, publicly introduced her to the gathered press corps.
In his remarks, Minister Piah highlighted Melissa’s role within ALJA and praised her commitment to advancing journalism both in the diaspora and at home.
He encouraged the journalists, especially those early in their careers, to connect with her and members of AJA to build a bridge for professional guidance and support.
He shared how the association could serve as a valuable resource through donations of professional tools and mentorship for ethical reporting.
He then invited Melissa to share remarks from the podium.
‘Facts First. Let the Public Decide.’ Says Former PUL VP
The former vice president of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Melissa Chea Annan delivered a grounded, compelling address that emphasized the core values of the journalistic profession. She urged Liberian reporters to focus on factual, objective reporting, cautioning against inserting personal opinion into news content. ‘Facts first – let the public draw their own conclusions,” she said firmly.
She also acknowledged the visible improvements in infrastructure since her last visit, pointing to ongoing road construction projects as a positive development. Gesturing to the gathered reporters, she added warmly, “It is good seeing new faces. The media is doing good.”
Her closing words were a call to resilience: “Let’s continue to do our best.”
