…And so Liberians, we are celebrating 163 years of existence?

By: Stephen Johnson

When I woke up that morning and found out it was the 26th [Independence Day] I sat on my bed in retrospect of our 163 years of existence as a country and people and it brought memories about what have we really achieved or what can we point out as an example for others to follow? While pondering on answers to these many questions and much more, I realized that we have a lot to show besides being one of the oldest African republics.

We, in the contemporary time have done something many countries the world over can use as a model. We have elected Africa’s first female president- something which bigger powers are still finding answers to. We have had our debts waived in a relatively short period of time through the HIPC Initiative, we have seen roads rehabilitated and constructed, we have seen electricity and pipe borne water, we have seen civil servant salaries being disbursed on a timely bases, we have seen a professional military-a place of upward career mobility. While we have seen the many goods, we have also seen the menace corruption eating the economic fabric of our nation. We have seen people build mansions and skyscrapers, we have seen them ride in luxury and style, we have seen them shop from the best, we have seen them, oh yes! We have seen them.

While we remain to see good and evil, we can safely say that as a people we will definitely triumph over evil and build for ourselves a society where we can actualize our God given potential and make amends where necessary. For it is only by doing this we can set nation building and national renewal on the right pathway. We can either choose to sit and watch or we can take our destiny in our own hands. Be it a reality or imagined, we have a crucial role to play in our quest for genuine reform in a postwar economy like ours. We must put nationalism above greed, we must put patriotism above self and love for country must reign supreme above all else. We must and will not fail mama Liberia, our dearest patrimony!

Again and again we must constantly remind ourselves that we have a role to play and said role is pivotal to the communal relationship we envisage if we so desire to grapple upon the many challenges and turn them into opportunities, and as Sir Isaac Newton clearly postulated, “if I have seen further than other men, it is because I have been standing on the shoulders of giants”, we must indeed see ourselves as the giant upon whose shoulders we can succeed. We must be seen as a partner in progress, we must be seen as assets and not liabilities. We must be seen as an integral part in our quest to transform the lives of our fellow compatriots. Yes! We must be seen as a collective force which drives our developmental agenda.

“When freedom raised her glowing form on Montserrado's verdant height, She set within the doom of night, ‘midst low ring stars and thunderstorms the star of liberty - and seizing from the waking morn, its burnished shield of golden flame she lifted in her proud name and raise a people long forlorn to noble destiny”.

THE LONE STAR AND LIBERIA FOREVER…!

Elections 2011, The Liberian story: Blessing or curse?

By: Stephen Johnson

As 2011 dawns, many new faces will emerge in an attempt to lure the people of Liberia in getting them elected into public offices. What remains a question is the simple fact as to whether these aspirants have what it takes to lead a country emerging out of years of total backwardness and massive underdevelopment. The challenges are quite enormous and herculean and it must be addressed by people with brittle characters coupled with the requisite credential and love for country-for it is only by having these values can one run an effective and efficient administration.

They have begun making promises, engaging in community work, spewing out ill-gotten wealth and claiming to be the true representatives of a group of people with little or no education-Hence their ability to think critically is affected by their desire for handouts. They are not in hiding for we see them every day along the streets of Monrovia beating their chest that no matter what, they are the winner, be it imagined or a reality, it is only but important that we engage our people in a massive awareness campaign which incorporates the grassroots movement with a rather rude awakening. I have heard names evolving, I have also heard organizations popping out, I have heard coalitions, I have seen crossover and unwholesome marriages, discovered strange bedfellows, I have witnessed meetings but what I have not seen is a clear defined agenda for Liberia in the years to come.

These conditions only pinpoint to the fact that we more concerned with getting elected rather than putting those who elect us first. We are only concerned with the gains and the benefits rather than the development of the communities we represent. We are more concerned with the luxury and royalties, fancy cars and flashing billboards rather than salary improvement for the ordinary civil servant and their families, we are more interested in the accolades rather than giving praises to those who truly deserves it [the people]. We are more fascinated about the social successes rather than a robust strategy geared towards self actualization. We are more prone on creating more beggars rather than making more people empowered. We enjoyed the “Yes Manism” rather than been called servants.

If we must have a radical shift in the paradigm from the past, we must begin to change the way we see things and form a common front, with a single goal, and a clear strategy which engenders the development and empowerment of our people, we must engage them in sustained programs and provide for them the basic necessities of life. For too long we expect too much from our people when in reality, we haven’t done much to bring them to the level where we all can hold hands and march towards success. So, as we go to the polls come 2011, let us bear in mind that the future of our country is at stick and we must, must and must do what is right for the betterment of mama Liberia. It’s our common denominator and all we have; we must together preserve it and prepare a safe haven for our future generation(s).

Together we will and YES WE CAN…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!