Independence Day Message

Stephen Johnson

My fellow citizens….

I bring you warm felicitations as we celebrate yet another year of independence! I am delighted not merely because today makes Liberia 164 years but because I am grateful to God Almighty to be alive in this generation and have the strength to contribute my professional quota towards the development of our common patrimony, Liberia . This celebration calls for a time of sober reflection on our history that is plunged with seas of internal contradictions.

We should use the as a period to also do a comprehensive analysis in realizing where we have come from, where we are and where to hope to go as a people with one voice. It is a time for us also to do an inventory of the many successes, failures and challenges we have both as individuals and as Liberians in general.

We must begin to address the fundamental question; what can I do to help my country? We must also indentify ways in which we can emancipate our country from years of degradation and underdevelopment to a pinnacle of development, long lasting peace and above all, grassroots exhilaration-I must commend the present government for taking the lead.

We must reinvigorate ourselves with the fortitude and courage to effectuate the much needed changes that would propel a robustly radical paradigm shift. We also must do a fair assessment of ourselves taking into consideration our assets and liabilities and derive a net-worth that can be harnessed for the betterment of Liberia . This should be our focus and this should be the drive which leads us as we go through the festivities.

Let us remember, that the road towards nation building and national renewal is rocky, steep and difficult to navigate but in unity and with one voice, this herculean task can be attained. Let us also remember to care for one another, show love where there is hate, compassion where there is sorrow and help a fallen comrade when you can.

Let us pray for Liberia especially in the coming months and most importantly as we go to the polls to make a decision to determine who steers our country for the next six years. Let us also pray for those that are sick, bereaved and going through times of difficulties and let us also pray for our leaders so that God will grant them the wisdom and courage as they lead us.

Towards this end, my family and I wish you all a Happy Independence and God’s richest blessing upon you all remembering that in union strong, success is sure.

May the Lord Almighty bless the works of our hands and save the state!

Liberia after 164 years: Ellen, A promise fulfilled

When many thought that Liberia would remain a failed state and that the possibility of regaining its prewar status was highly unlikely, Ellen showed up. When many thought that Liberia would never be a place for us Liberians to be proud of and call home, Ellen has given us multiple reasons to be proud of our country. When many thought that Liberia would sink under her leadership, she proved them wrong and Liberia is rising.

When many thought that our debts would be a life time burden for our future generation to be in credit before their birth, Ellen successfully lobbied with the international community to give a 4.9Billion debt waived. When many thought that the possibility of having unhindered access to state of the art medical facility in rural Liberia was mythical, Ellen managed to get a 500 bedroom hospital in Tappita, Nimba County. When many of us thought that we continue with the ‘one year one semester’ trend at the University of Liberia, Ellen didn’t just manage to get a new structure at Fendell erected; she increased the budget of the institution to a whopping US$19 million.

When many had given up and felt disconnected with the population of Liberia, she insisted that we have a road leading to Bella Yalla. When many would ride to work and school in dust and suffer from airborne diseases, she paved the Caldwell, AB Tolbert and GSA roads. When many had to relocate hundreds of miles to Monrovia without even a relative there to attend school, she opened a University in Maryland County, a college in Lofa County, a University in Nimba, a college in Grand Bassa County and a Polytechnic in Grand Cape County.

When many thought that cutting edge technology would reach Liberia in the next world, she ensure a 25 million dollar ACE undersea fiber optic cable system for modernization of the IT environment. When many youths who are passionate about sports had given up on their future, she ensured the erection of mini stadia in West point, New Kru town, Clara town to give hope and aspiration to the youths. When many thought pipe borne water and electricity was a mirage in Monrovia, she restored water and light to the capital.

When many aspiring doctors and teachers could not afford tuition, she made the Teachers’ college, A.M Doglitti college of Medicine and the TNIMA tuition free and moreover, gives students monthly allowance for enrolling. When many thought that our foreign reserve would remain depleted, she ensured a 293million dollar in foreign reserve. When many could not speak their mind and exercise their rights to free speech and press freedom, she opened it with NO limits. When counties felt deprived in the national budget and argued that historically it didn’t represent them, she ensured a County Development funds managed by the counties’ leadership.

When many thought her electability was impossible and that Liberians would not show mass support to her and appreciate her good works, we showed up in our millions singing “It will hold, it will surely hold”…

Campaign period in Liberia: The need for a shift in the paradigm

Stephen Johnson

In most democracies, if not all the world over, the people’s power which is often felt 4 to 6 years depending on the prescribed tenure as indicated in a country’s Magna Carta, is usually tested. This power is the power to decide whether to go ahead with the status quo or replace it with another administration they deem capable of continuing from where their predecessors left off. This vote of confidence does not come handy, you have to have demonstrated some level of leadership traits and or have the charisma to convince voters. Many a times within our country, this is a period usually referred to as the “chopping period” by voters.

It is a time that tradeoff is made between voters and politicians. It is a period where the barter system is in full effect. For many electorates, they relish this period since for them politicians can be milk. This is the period where the question “How did you come?” pops up and in order to answer it, resources have to exchange hands. Interestingly, there is no guarantee that as resources exchange hands; votes are bound to come in return. Most times, voters usually say “My vote is my secret” or they could make commitments, which are practically impossible to authenticate.

I believe the reason for this is that politicians have eluded our people with vague promises for many years ahead of elections. Once they win, they care less about those who voted for them. As a result of this pattern, electorates convinced themselves that they have to collect as much as they can whether its material or monetary gains since they won’t see these politicians until after another six (6) years. For me, I will not blame the electorates because if politicians were true to their words, people would have a different approach to electioneering. If politicians who crowd the political amphitheater were delivering the goods, would we have had a different experience? I can, without any doubt, answer in the affirmative.

I can recall back in 2005, I along with few of my colleagues had traveled to rural Liberia during the campaign period. We organized series of town hall meetings with the locals and explained to them about the importance of elections and voting. We all spoke about why they should vote for our candidate. In response, they thanked us and said we have spoken well but the ultimate question which popped us was “this come weh your come, how your come?” (We have you all brought from us now that you people are here?). While this might appear to be a simple question, it presents an idea of the understanding of our people relative to politics and especially campaigning. This question was the theme song across communities all through our trip. Where they right? Certainly they were! I am convinced that if we were pointing to projects and programs we had initiated prior to the campaign period, the fundamental questions would have been, what additional projects could we benefit from? What new program (s) can our children look forward to receiving? Moreover, what else can we hope to see?

As July draws nearer, campaign is about to start again and the “chopping” will begin. I hope we can have a radical shift from the past and begin to focus more on improving the lives of our people void of deceit and rhetoric; we should rank the people above “self empowerment”. We should formulate policies and programs that are people driven and community focused. Let us remember that as leaders, we are servants for our people and not there reverse. Lets us remember that this glorious land of liberty shall long be ours. I look forward to a time when campaign period would not be a “chopping era” but rather a time when people can do an apple-to-apple comparison of politicians and their platforms and choose those with best potential to deliver and have demonstrated that through their records of accomplishment. May God bless the works of our hands and save the state…

Your friend along the way, Stephen Johnson….

The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Administration and my take: A deeper look.

There have been numerous calls from many quarters requesting a deeper look into the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration. Therefore, it is equally important that we zoom in on the administration from all sides of the leadership equation. If is safe to say that this is arguably one of the best governments we have seen. This does not in any manner or fashion suggests that the government is a saint. While it is not, it has demonstrated the willpower to make the much needed changes we Liberians so yearn. It has also helped revive our lost image among the comity of nations. Today, as Liberians, we are proud to state our nationality –something we could not do for fear of been branded as hoodlums, thugs and cannibals using the collective guilt syndrome. It excites me to see the many transformational changes we continue to see by the day. Liberia, through a process of incremental gradualism, is getting there in piecemeal. Can government do more? A resounding YES!

Unfortunately, Liberia unlike many developed countries, do not have a solid revenue-generating base that can are tie mainly to income generated through taxes. Sad enough, only a minute portion of our population bears the tax burden. Many can argue that people lack skills and career opportunities in order to be able to generate taxable income. Quite frankly, this is a legit argument since it is the sole responsibility of national government to create jobs and more jobs either within the public sector or relax the rigidities within the private sector so as to attract more foreign direct investments (FDIs). Let us note, this relaxation serves as boost to building investors’ confidence. These FDIs are essential components to building a sustained economic base through job securities and higher wages.

With Liberia, being an economic in frailties, it becomes very difficult to apportion this revenue based on areas of need since every sector within our economy is a case of “Urgent care”. Take for instance, if government decides to focus more on education and leave health or roads network behind, she would be solving one major problem yet leaving scores of equally important areas undone. In short, national government must develop a multidimensional approach strategy, which tackles all of the problems concisely. The road projects, the establishment of several universities in the leeward counties, the rehabilitation and renovation of hospitals and clinics plus the construction of new ones, the increment in disposable income (civil servant) plus much more are all efforts in the right direction….but, but.. Can we have an overwhelming number of capital projects giving the fact that government operates on a cash based budget? I would argue that it is not feasible for government because the meager generated is what we have as spending money and a greater portion of what she accrues goes towards the operational side (logistics, salary, petroleum, equipments, etc). So capital projects become increasingly difficult for government to undertake. This is why the need for foreign partnership is pivotal. This partnership does not come handy, it has to do which benchmarks, milestones and deliverables that the receiving government must meet in order to gain donor confidence. This is, it must demonstrate sound account management, fiscal discipline, show responsibility and accountability-something that this current administration has been doing through the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) and the Governance Economic Management Action Plan (GEMAP) and other programs.

On the issue of the SAP, I personally believe that there were serious lapses. The government did not evaluate the aftermath of the program. While it thought it was solving the problem of over-staffing, it was creating unemployment either knowingly or unknowingly. What government needed to do in the short-run was to create in-service training programs for those deemed ineffective and lacking basic skills set in order for them to have a career path that would make them more career mobile.

More besides, government should have focus on private sector jobs creation by giving potential investment firms tax holiday as attraction incentives. If this had happened, jobs creation in the private sector subsequently attracting more workers from government too since these investment firms would offer better incentives. The downsize exercise would have been automatic given this scenario. Because of government’s failure to make use of this economic model, a greater portion of the current unemployment numbers is link to this. However, there is a way to begin with the unemployment numbers. Firstly, we can use university students as a case study. How? We can introduce community service as part of their academic curriculum. University students and assigning to agencies corporations and concessions as interns, are paid stipned, and get tuition deferment. Repayment will amortized over a period once he/she starts actual work. Therefore, you see, you are providing income (stipend), creating job path (job creation) and providing education (academics) simultaneously.

Secondly, government should increase spending on small-scale community projects to provide employment for these with technical skills and by extension, unskilled laborers. A robust mass community rehab program will also address quick impact needs. Thirdly, provide small-scale loans for market women petit traders, entrepreneur and farmers alike, these loans over a stipulated period are paid. Criteria for loan qualification should be less rigid in the pilot phase. This is, for instance, we will give you a loan of US$500.00 through an application and verification process. We could suggest for petit traders, that in order for them to qualify, they should have been in business for over a specific period, let us say, 1-3 years. This way, it demonstrates the creditor’s payback potential. Down the road, we would increase the requirement base on the size of the loan.

Fourthly, this is not a government’s approach but rather from the angle of Diaspora Liberians. Lest we forget, we represent the middle class that is lacking in Liberia. We play a significant role in job creation through small business initiatives. For example, if 5,000 Diaspora Liberians created small businesses and employed 10 local Liberians each, the result will be 50,000 new jobs (5,000 x 10) and if we assume that the dependency ratio is 10 to 1(employed), it means through the multiplier effect that we have empowered 500,000 Liberians at home. This initiative, I believe will greatly impact the landscape but it takes the passion, the courage and a business driven attitude to engage in such ventures…We ought to be thinking entrepreneurial!

Lastly, government must show the willpower, the tenacity and audacity to combat corruption. I do agree that she is making strides but I strongly believe we can do better. We must institute internal control measures and tighten loopholes that continue to gut out state resources. We should encourage public vetting processes for public officials. That is, we submit names of potentials to the citizenry and generate feedback and those findings used as a source document for appointments. The recent recall of a number of appointees by the president is clear indications of an effective public vetting procedure. The court of “public opinion” is an integral part in the fight against corruption. Moreover, audit reports properly assessed and where evidence is overwhelm, dismiss and forward for prosecution. This is not attainable without the involvement of the Legislature and Judiciary. They too, like the Executive, has a pivotal role in the creation of a fast track corruption court and enact robust laws to combat this menace, corruption respectively.

I am however positive that Liberia is on the right trajectory towards sustained socio-economic political growth, national renewal and nation building and that we all as Liberians should serve as a cushion to national government in its quest to ensure that Liberia is a better place. If we do this, we will be building for ourselves and future generation a Liberia we all can be proud. IN UNION STRONG, SUCCESS IS SURE!

Your friend along the way, Stephen Johnson!

A flaw in governance and the case with the True Whig Party: A look from my lenses.

Harvard Kennedy School 

It has been roughly 32 years since the oligarchy of the past, the TWP, left power. During its 133 years of rule (misrule), Liberia was yet still a society in peril. A society where the disparity between the “haves” and “haves not” could in no way be compared to the distance covered by Neil Armstrong during his trip to the moon. A few handful of elites dressed up as “westerners” plunged our country into years of waste, loot, misrule and abuse of not only state resources but all power. This system became entrenched so much so that top management positions were for a few not because of meritocracy, but because of surnames, family ties and by extension sexual favors. For them, this was the real meaning of life; they did not care whether the masses suffer nor had little to eat since they always spelled masses without an “M”.

Their kids had the luxury of attending some of the best schools at home and abroad while a vast majority attended public school poorly funded by government. While their colleagues trekked to school with deflated bellies and rags calling it uniforms, they drove flashy cars, ate fancy breakfast, and wore classic uniforms. No doubt, they could have won accolades for being “Best dressed”. They had unhindered access to the necessities of life that were for many, luxuries. They would fly overseas for vacations while others retired to the rural areas to make farms and sell produce in order to raise funds for the next academic year. Those who chose to stay in the urban terrains were mostly staying with these elites and where usually called “John” (no pun intended). Many were dehumanized and treated as slaves, slept in rice bags, wore “hand me down” ate leftovers and barely wore shoes. If they did, it was their “Masters” once used shoes nearing the dustbin. They did not have a say in anything, decisions about them where made by their “masters”. As of the females, they were house cleaners and sex slaves and once they got pregnant, these girls left these homes involuntarily.

As for rural inhabitants who mostly survive on shifting cultivation and could barely generate enough lest we say raise money, were compared to pay taxes and if they failed to, they were chained, beaten, humiliated and disgraced before their kids and sent them to prison. For over 133 years, our people were subjugated to inhumane treatment at the behest of these elites. The fundamental questions here going forward are:
• Could we have avoided this?
• Was it possible for these elites and the local people to integrate?
• Did the local people deserve such inhumane treatment?
• Was it payback, an avenge, or a revenge?
• Was it possible for our people whether elite or not to coexist for a common cause?
• Had the locals, from the beginning, allowed to partake in the process and to benefit from the wealth of the nation, could we have avoided the brutal civil conflicts?
• Would 1980 not have happened?

While we ponder on answers to these questions, let us do a sober reflection of the past remembering that never again might we take this path which led to the death of many of our compatriots for no probable cause. Let us remember that UNITY is the key and we must foster genuine and not blanket reconciliation and national healing and renewal as a people under one banner. We should use our history as a stepping-stone into the future. We should and must see ourselves as coequals no matter our level of education and or our social stratification. We should promote and ensure a culture of collectivism and remember always to treat each other with love and respect bearing in mind that Liberia is the only common denominator we have. Let us put Liberia first above all else.

Love as the core of bonding….

Life teaches us about how it is unpredictable and it is often characterize by many uncertainties. Howbeit, life is yet worth living. Life constantly reminds us about its entire circle, which begins at birth and ends when we finally give up the ghost. Between birth and death lie many happenings some of which are more often than not unexpected. It is within this perimeter that we begin by establishing friends and building relationships. These friendships and relationships mature with time until BONDING takes place. Depending on the bond, it can either be seasonal, temporary or for a lifetime, but the common denominator is that a bond is established and its strength can be determined by the extent to which the friendship and or relationship survives. This bond comes with it a number of responsibilities, which includes trust, respect, honesty, and above all else, LOVE. For many of us, we are of the belief that with love, all other things will set in. Love in this case is not just the “generic” love but the one that goes much further in been expressed through our actions, deeds and the way we treat others. To this end, as we go through this circle, let us along the way show love to each other, let’s be there for one another, lets strive to be the cushion and be that person our friends and relatives can rely on. Let us build a lifetime bond and let us charge after its survivability.

Your friend along the way Stephen Johnson

A dedication to all of our young revolutionaries in the Liberian struggle….

History tells us that there have been a number of young revolutionaries who didn’t charge after the struggle for the redemption of mankind and the attainment of self actualization from a passive perspective but rather with a radically robust posture. They believed that in order for tyrants to listen, they needed a constant reminder through mass rallies, protests and by
extension, agitation. For many, they saw the actions taken by these great revolutionaries as uncivilized and counterproductive either because of fear or simply because they were in a way benefiting from the spoiled system. Let’s note that bravery can’t be construed as the mere absence of fear but the defense of beliefs and principles not matter what the circumstances are.
This was the guardian cornerstone with shifted their thought process and motivated them even further.

They, like their colleagues, could have chosen to remain silent and watch or sit on the margin of history as tyranny lives on. Instead, they knew that posterity which is the greatest judge of us all, would have given them a harsh sentence so much so that instead of them being martyr their names would have been written in the dustbin of history. They went where many dare go, they were beaten, jailed, harassed and some killed by rag tagged militia and underpaid thugs dressed up as state securities simply because they spoke the TRUTH. Some fled into exile and while there, the struggle remained unabated.

A tyrant might succeed in silencing revolutionaries for a brief while but their legacies which are embedded within the minds of the people can never be silenced nor forgotten, sooner rather than later, there is bound to be a rude awakening. They are not celebrities nor do they seek slots on Reality TV shows, they are not flamboyant and are often on the backburner. They are not worried about gaining fame since they understand that the true fame belongs to the “Masses” who are the pillar and human fulcrum upon whose shoulders they stand. They are the ones who names can be attached to the democratic space we enjoy today, yet they are humble! They are the ones whom the ordinary market women can relate to. They are the ones whom the shoe shine boys see as a partner in progress. They are the ones whom the car loader at red-light market can trust. YES indeed, they are the ones!

They are the true Revolutionaries and NOT the usual Reactionaries and their tendencies we often see around here and mostly on these social media. We are proud of you for it was you when it became dark and gloomy, when there appears to be little or no hope, you came at our point of NEED! So, as a new chapter dawns, you will forever remain the northern star which protects our footpath, you are the beacon of our hope, you are the true heroes and heroines. So, we SALUTE you and say….”Aluta, continua”…….

Winston Tubman and the CDC: Why I believe the CDC will be defeated again…

I know this piece will not go down well with the many supporters, sympathizers, partisans and well-wishers of the CDC, but as a political pundit, I am oblige to providing our reading public an analysis of the chronicle of events from my perspective dating as far back as 2005, yes 2005! The CDC came in being on several platforms and with a number of conclusions. Firstly, the CDC argued that the “educated people” failed Liberia-apparently, she meant to say that those who have had the academic credentials plus service in government. Let’s agree for the sake of argument that she was referring to those mentioned supra because if it was just the educated people in general, George Weah wouldn’t have returned to school immediately after the 2005 elections. Secondly, the CDC asserted that it was time for the grassrooters to take over national leadership. Grassrooters for her was George Weah even though he is a millionaire who lives in a flashy home somewhere in Monrovia and spends most of his time commuting between Florida and Monrovia. What puzzles us is whether or not grassroots in this context means a Liberian who struggled to climb the success ladder in terms of being economically endowed? If yes, then it safe to say that most if not all of us are grassrooters. If not, what else is the true meaning of the term “grassroots”? Is it poverty and sufferings? Is it living in Liberia all through the war years or is it going to bed with deflated stomach? Or just maybe, is it not having a home? And thirdly, the CDC also presented the thesis that it was time for the young generation-a new breed of youth politicians, to take over the mantle of authority and that George Weah for them, represented the face of such youthful revolution.

The conclusions represented the core and fundamental reasons for the evolution of the CDC. It was against this backdrop that thousands of Liberians saw this platform as the way forward for Liberia. In both rounds of the 2005 polls, they demonstrated such attitude and though the CDC didn’t win, she made a clear statement to us all that she was indeed a party to be reckoned with. After the elections, the CDC remained the lead opposition in terms of numerical strength and not on sticky national issues. The CDC hasn’t been an outspoken opposition. That is, one that would critique government and present alternative solutions with regards to policies formulation. You will agree with me that the Liberty Party is in the lead among oppositions though her theories and solutions are somewhat debatable, yet she has been vocal.

Interestingly, many political analysts thought that the CDC would have grown not just in terms of numbers but political maturity. Contrary to this belief, the CDC instead degenerated with many key stalwarts deflecting across the political aisle. I wouldn’t delve into the specificity of each separate case but what remains a consensus among those deflectors is that the CDC lacks guidance and that it is a party of one-manism. For me, quite frankly, personality cult is one key component of every political party in Liberia and that the ruling party too is a culprit. Once the standard bearer leaves, the party tends to take a different dimension and in the end, we are left with an abandoned list of alphabets; NPP, NDPL, and TWP etc. This trend continues to permeate itself in our body politics and if it is to be curtailed, we must begin to focus more on organization construct and institution building rather than personality cultism. This much I know, is true!

Moreover, the CDC hasn’t demonstrated the guts of a political party seeking the presidency. Instead, it has allowed itself to be used as a casino- a place where hopefuls can go and try to win the bet based on their purchasing power. First it was Brumskine who lost at the 11th hour was allegedly duped and then lately, Winston Tubman won since the slot machines were blazing hot and in a rush to October. It is widely speculated that resources changed hands in this process. Howbeit, it would be cynical to think that a Tubman could defeat George in a CDC primary after joining the party in less than 14 days. If for argument sake CDC members would argue that it is the beauty of democracy, then it confirms our argument that Weah’s population has dwindled and that he lacks the political and academic pedigrees so much so that a Tubman is preferred ahead of him within his own pepper bush (CDC). If not, then it raises more questions about the credibility of the CDC. We can be sure that this latest subtle political maneuvering hasn’t resonated well among party’s faithful (the recent spilt and crossover and the many declarations within the social medias are classic examples which points to the facts).

The CDC in its attempt to win come October, managed to recruit a Tubman since he, like Ellen, is a Harvard graduate. So, will Liberians only vote Harvard trained or will they gravitate towards a candidate who besides being a vote magnet has the audacity to deliver the goods? I may not know the answers but 2005 clearly tells us that Ellen wasn’t the only Harvard trained but yet still, Ellen was the only Harvard trained who made it to the runoff. Well, this alone tells us that it was beyond just the Harvard credentials. Is the 70 years old Tubman now the new face of the youthful revolution? Hasn’t George learn that much since 2005? Is Tubman a grassrooter or a “Grass rooter”? Is Tubman among the new breed of Liberia politicians? Is the former Justice Minister during the Doe regime, the right pick ahead of the October polls? Is Tubman who is a direct beneficiary of the spoils, loot and abuse of the Tubman’s oligarchy capable of pulling the votes? Well, as we ponder on these questions, here is what I do know:

I know the selection of Tubman defeats the argument of age against Ellen since he too, like Ellen, is a septuagenarian;

I know that the discussion about “Americo-Liberian” no longer holds water with Tubman being the head of the ticket;

I know that the grassroots debate is finally lay to rest now that an “elite” bears the standard of the CDC;

I know that the long standing debate regarding recycled politicians is finally put to bed;

I know the TWP’s hegemony argument is finally dealt with since an offspring is now the standard bearer of the CDC.

Finally, I’d thought the CDC would have done a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis before zooming in on Tubman. That way, they would have understood that Tubman is more of an excess baggage than an asset. In fact, Tubman was able to barely gather 10% of the total votes in 2005-thanks to Jeremiah Sulunteh who was his running mate! It was his presence which made Bong County to think the Tubman’s way. With this, we can safely conclude that excluding the Sulenteh’s factor, chances are Tubman would have landed far below par. More besides, Tubman did throw his weight [feather] behind George in the runoff and despite his support and along with many others who are now with the already popular Ellen, CDC lost by over 100,000 vote margin. So, with all of these events and the many odds playing against the CDC ahead of the October polls, I am convinced that the CDC will lose again and this time, dismally. I am positive that this will be the final straw which breaks the back of the camel called CDC.

Your friend along the way, Stephen Johnson!

What is the meaning of a true Humanitarian? In Liberia, The way I see it…

Over the years, I have heard the term “Humanitarian” being used either loosely or in the actual context which represents a holistic overall view to its true meaning, there is a need for us to take a closer look at the term and zoom in on it. In most cases, it is a catch phrase or an inane cliché which for a good while has continue to elude our people. For example, Mr. X gives a bag of rice today and down the road, comes back and asks that you vote for him. Is this the definition of one being a Humanitarian? Well, here is how I see it; A true Humanitarian shares knowledge, not because it may make them profit or metamorphose into votes in the long run, but because it will contribute value and impact the lives of his/her fellow compatriots. Knowledge sharing is one key component of a true Humanitarian. That is, instead of giving handouts, it is best when we share knowledge that would aid others in their attempt to achieve higher potential. As the famous Chinese proverb says “don’t just give me fish, teach me how to fishing instead”…

A true Humanitarian leads by example and carries with him/her fairness, honesty, reliability, selflessness, passion and fortitude. Each of these attribute contributes to the well being of humanity as a whole and they are infinitely renewable resources that are shared on contact. Cardinal of these is Love. Love is the zenith form of humanitarianism and it evokes wealth that is not merely financial or political gains but the development of human and societal enrichment. It [love] declares that we should at all times transcend our abilities to purchase or make financial contributions, it[love] is a form of humanitarianism without which all humanity would suffer no matter how economically endowed we may be. Therefore, love is the essential purpose of giving and NOT because of long term political gains.

In order to fully understand, consider this story: In Liberia, a man somewhere in Bong came upon a large construction site. He saw a worker cementing blocks together. "What do you do" he asked. "I am a mason," the man replied. Then he walked over to another worker, who appeared to be engaged in the same task. "What do you do" he asked. The man replied, "We are building a School." These two men operated with very different perspectives toward their goal or mission. The first one focused exclusively on the task, without reference to his purpose or his love for that purpose. Whether out of choice or out of ignorance, he wasn’t being nourished by the intangible power Humanitarianism. The second worker saw his task in the context of a much larger calling, one that held the power of replenishing his sense of purpose and his love for that purpose. He had chosen to step into the deep boundless ocean of Humanitarianism.

This has led me to ask a few fundamental questions; how do we envision and peruse our humanitarian calling? Do we think primarily in terms of cash flow in, and tithing out or projects? Are we doing what we do selflessly or because we seek long term political gains? Do we measure our success in terms of revenue, and therefore our contribution based on the ruling of the calculator? If so, we have fallen into a deep trap, one that can make our lives devoid of heart and energy. That is the trap of pursuing what we think is good for “us”, instead of what we know is great for “all of us”. Being a true Humanitarian, then, begins with acknowledging the spark of creativity and potential that is our gift to declare and share selflessly too. When we do this, it radiates outward! So then, when you choose to give materially, you will be giving only a “small” expression of infinite love within. Instead, share knowledge, manifest love, be passionate, be selfless, have the fortitude, show honesty, lead by example, and do because you care and NOT because u want…..


“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving”….Mother Teresa

Stephen Johnson: A PERSPECTIVE

By: Stephen Johnson

Stephen Johnson is a Youth and Student activist, a Pro-democracy Advocate, a Human Right Campaigner and a Community Organizer. His young career is already a success story for many young folks within Liberia and the world at large. Over the years, he served as Senior Representative for the College of Business and Public Administration at University of Liberia. He was selected as a panelist by the National Democratic Institute, International Republican Institute and the Federation of Liberian Youth to discuss the “Role of Youth in the Democratization Process”. He served as Vice Chairman for the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP). He represented the entire university students’ body at several meetings with the US Ambassador to lobby for funds to reopen the institution. He became one of the youth and students representatives on the Civil Society Movement of Liberia.

He also organized a public speaking class for university students to help enhance their public speaking potential. He became Co-Chairman for the concerned students of the University of Liberia. He represented the university of Liberia students on more than seven (7) occasions with the Chairman of the NTGL to discuss the reopening of the University of Liberia after a protracted closure. He served as the liaison between Creative Associates International Inc. and the university of Liberia authorities during the over US$150, 000 renovation exercise. He served as Chairman for the Committee Organized for the Promotion of Education.
While at the University of Liberia, he was involved with student advocacy, utilizing his God-given potential to help speak out against the ills in society and also bring to book the critical issues that affected his people. In these activities, he sought to rekindle the hopes and aspirations of those who by this time had almost lost total faith not only in themselves but in their own society as a result of the hopeless situation and the irresponsible acts of national government.

He has worked with the United States Agency for International Development’s project in various capacities such as: Grant Database Assistant, Grant Development Officer and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. His experience in these positions afforded him the opportunity to make tremendous impact in the social development of young people and communities across Liberia. He was very successful at implementing the 3rd phase of the Youth Education for Life skill project and the Youth for Truth-a project which brought together over 50,000 young people from different communities within Liberia, helping to reintegrate them into the society since most of them were active participants in our civil conflict and teaching them about the workings of the TRC respectively.

He has published several articles some of which include: “…And so Liberians, we are celebrating 163 years of existence?”, “Elections 2011, The Liberian story: Blessing or curse?”, “The Quest for Political Power: A need for Change!”, “Liberia at 162: Shifting the paradigm”, “Youths Participation: The Key to Lasting Peace”, and “The Road to National Renewal: A Liberian Scenario”

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc.) in Economics and a Master Degree (MBA) in Finance and Strategic Human Resource Management. He is also pursuing a dual Master in Public Administration (MPA) and Non-Profit Management(MNM) at Hamline University. He can be reached at johnsonzizou102003@yahoo.com