Speech Delivered at the AME Zion University Economics Student Association's Program

Stephen Johnson/Harvard Kennedy School. 

Distinguished academicians, Dear students, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to be with you here at the AMEZUC and being able to address such a distinguished audience. Whenever I visit academic institutions I see myself more of an academician than just someone in statecraft. 

Let me say thank you very much to the leadership and members of the Economics Students Association for this invite. I too, some years back, was a member of an Economics Students Association. Through those years, we had busied ourselves with understanding the concepts of supply and demand. We were reading the various schools of thoughts and juxtaposing them against the Keynesians and Classicalists point of view.

Liberia ranks -0.74 on worldwide governance indicator (on a scale of -2.5 to 2.5) in the latest World Development Report but well on course to achieving middle income status in 2030 in accordance with PRSP-II projection. According to the World Bank, countries with per capita income of US$1,035 to US$12,616 are classified as middle income countries. Liberia's current per capita income is US$370 (or US$600 at PPP). This means, holding all factors constant, Liberia should attain an average GNI per capita growth rate of 6.65% or above from now to 2030 (see the rule of 70 or compound growth algebra for easy calculation) in order to reach middle income status. According to the report, Liberia's GNI per capita is currently at 7.9%.

In the years, we need to have more intellectual interaction, because we have many challenges in front of us, therefore, I also want to express my thanks to the organizers and also to the students especially the economics students for their presence here and their organizing contribution to this association. We are living in such an accelerated flow of economic times, we cannot be static. We cannot have prejudices in our minds; we cannot have stereotypes, if we want to understand this new global transformation. There is a change in the paradigm of economic order. There are developed countries and the others should reach to these countries, which were the paradigms before. But now there is a shift of economic paradigm, economic power is shifting from transatlantic to other regions. At the same time there is a question of new economic order in the sense of consumerism against economic justice.

If our people are dying because of hunger, while a few are consuming more food than the total Liberian people are consuming in one year, is this order sustainable? How do we address the issues of imbalance between lifestyles and economic power and consumption of different regions within our country? How can we develop ways the distribution of economic wealth among our people? These are the fundamental questions we ought to ask ourselves. And so, as economics students, we have to look for new solutions in helping those who do not have even the basic needs for their daily life. We need to ensure that the national interest and human responsibility to respective sectors within our geography should be balanced.

Finally, there are big challenges in the global transformation of world economics. There are challenges for us as Liberians especially in these troubling economic times that are at hand. There are challenges about job creation and employment, education and health as well as infrastructure.  But at the end of the day, it is us who will decide what the future will be. All of us, either academicians or statesmen or students or intellectuals, we have the responsibility today and at this moment should begin the process of creative thinking for the betterment of our nations and by extension all humanity. Liberia is all we have so let us work tirelessly as we strive to remove our people for the airtight cages of poverty and underdevelopment.

You too can make a difference!

Thank you very much.

The Man… Stephen Reuben Johnson

Stephen Johnson/Harvard Kennedy School

A young man of humble beginning whose formative years was in the relegated quarters of society. He embodied and demonstrated the resilience and profound inclination of successful leaders whose determination toward personal development and societal progress could not be weighed down by the social, political and economic perils of the society he found himself growing up. 

Instead, the young Stephen saw himself as a leader of thought, a beacon of hope, a symbol of love, a magnet of unity, and a steward of trust among his colleagues. Stephen Johnson is a youth and student activist, pro-democracy advocate, human rights campaigner and community organizer. As an avid believer in the principles of people-centered leadership, his relatively young career is already a success story for many within Liberia and the world at large. It is a story of honesty, dedication and innovation typical of a mind that is result-driven. 

The inception of his early leadership career is characterized by immutable contributions made while serving in many positions including Senior Representative for the College of Business and Public Administration at the University of Liberia, Vice Chairman, Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), Co-Chairman for the Concern Student Movement of the University of Liberia (a conglomeration of all students groupings advocating for the reopening of the University following abrupt closure by the regime, Chairman for the Committee Organized for the Promotion of Education) and liaison between USAID and the University of Liberia authorities during the over US$250, 000 renovation exercise. While at the University, 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.  Zizou, as he is affectionately called, has a natural quality for effective communication and public debates. Using this ability selflessly to serve the youth and student community, he agreed to be a panelist in the national youth debate to discuss the “Role of Youth in the Democratization Process” following 14 years of conflict organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY). Stephen also represented the entire university students’ body at several meetings with the then US Ambassador, in the capacity as spokesperson, to lobby for funds for the reopening of the institution. 

In addition, 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. His public advocacy landed him a spot as one of the youth and students representatives on the Civil Society Movement of Liberia. Significantly too, he was a lead advocate for the position of Youth Representative to the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA), an unprecedented arrangement in the country’s history. Hardworking Employee… Immediately after leaving the walls of UL in 2005, Stephen worked with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) “Youth Education for Life skill” and the “Youth for Truth” projects in various capacities including: Grant Database Assistant, Grant Development Officer, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. His outstanding services in these positions tremendously impacted the social development of young people and communities across Liberia. He was very successful in implementing the 3rd phase of the project which brought together over 50,000 young people from different communities within Liberia, helping to reintegrate them into the society, since most were active participants in our civil conflict, and was also the brainchild behind the “Youth for Truth” project which was geared towards creating a knowledge base for youth people and teaching them about the workings of the TRC. 

He also worked with several underprivileged communities across Montserrado County through life skills and community empowerment initiatives such as the building of latrines, water wells, and public schools rehabilitation. To date, there are thousands of people across the country that is a success stories as a result of these many interventions. He was privileged to travel to the United States in pursuit of higher education. While in the United States, Stephen worked as a Mortgage/Loan specialist with the US Bank Corporate Trust-a Fortune 500 company. He returned home to contribute his service to the development of his country. Currently, he serves as Senior Economist at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Previously, he served as Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance, one of the few young people ever trusted to serve in that capacity with direct oversight of the eleven (11) customs rural collectorates including: The Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Toe Town, Butuo, Loguatuo, Ganta, Jorwah, Yealla, Mendicorma, and Bo Waterside collectorates. His position has allowed him gain better experiences while interacting with colleagues from across Africa and the world on regional integration, trade facilitation, peace and security, and land borders and sea port operations, etc. 

He recently represented Liberia as an Expert at the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting to discuss Liberia’s participation in the Common External Tariff (CET) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). He was also selected as an Expert at the Mano River Union’s (MRU) Technical committee on Peace and Security-a gathering which brought together major security sector stakeholders from across the MRU basin. He has had many trainings some of which include: RC-T Awareness Training– 2011, Suspicious Activities Reporting (SAR) 2011, SAFE: Information Security Awareness 201, Anti-Money Laundering for ELAVON Europe 2011 (English), Corporate Treasury Awareness Training 2011, Identity Theft Red Flags 2011, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 2011. Mr. Johnson incontrovertibly has the power of the pen. He has published several articles some of which include: Campaign period in Liberia: The need for a shift in the paradigm;, The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Administration and my take: A deeper look; A flaw in governance and the case with the True Whig Party: A look from my lenses; A dedication to all of our young revolutionaries in the Liberian struggle; Love as the core of bonding“, What is the meaning of a true Humanitarian? In Liberia, The way I see it… 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;, “Youth 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, Highest Honors) in Finance.  He was awarded a certificate of completion for the "Emerging Leaders" Program, November 2015 at the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education. He is currently enrolled at the Penn State University reading another Master in Public Policy.

Speech Delivered during the President's Young Professionals Program (PYPP) 5TH Anniversary Celebration.

Stephen Johnson

The Vice President of Liberia, H.E Joseph Nyemah Boakai, the Minister of PublicWorks, Honourable Gyude Moore, the US Ambassador accredited near this capital,Madame Deborah Malac, Distinguished platform guests, PYPs, invited guests,foreign missions, members of the 4th estate, distinguished Ladies and gentleman, one and all!

 Thank you so much for inviting us to talk to you today. I am delighted to be among so many familiar faces and so many dynamic professionals. Rising stars with huge prospects! First and foremost, I would like to offer you my sincere congratulations to the PYPP as it celebrates 5 years of existence. As we say, the more anniversaries you celebrate, the longer you live. So, this is very exciting for you and for our country as a whole. It's a continued chance for you to shine. It has been 5 years already! 5 years of being in the business of grooming some ofLiberia’s bright and brightest. 5 years of grooming men and women of brittle character many of whom find themselves gainfully employed either in the private or public sectors of our society and are equally so making tremendous contributions towards nation building and national renewal.

 Founded in 2009, the PYPP has been an active and constructive group, creating employment opportunities for its members and providing excellent role models for young men and women starting out in professional life. As role models, each one of you in the room today can be an incredibly important stimulus to improving the career prospects of young people across Liberia. Let me openly confess, I have had a rewarding experience working with a few of your fellow PYPs. The likes of Amos Nyawleh Tubor, Frederick Cooper and Sarah McGill are among the finest professionals I have interacted with in my professional life. I am very positive that the same can be said for all of you at your respective areas of assignment. Liberia is at a critical crossroads where the need for more skilled workers and the availability of employment opportunities are overwhelming.

Our country is in dire need of Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, Engineers, Economists, Accountants and Social Workers etc. etc. The recent Ebola scourge brought to center stage the importance of building institutions with strong resilience and skilled human capital. The current humanitarian bubble as a result of the huge presence of foreign aid workers has helped to lend cushion to the economy. After the “CNN Effect”, we expect a huge decline in the economy. Amidst this, there is a decline in the prices of rubber and iron ore and due to the force majeure by big concessions, we expect to see further decline. Howbeit, there are potentials in the real sector. Our post Ebola recovery plan will have to focus on roads, electricity, empowering Liberian professionals and entrepreneurs, health and education as well as building resilience in the delivery of social services to be able to withstand the “stress test” associated with post Ebola. If we have to remain competitive as a country, we will need cheap and affordable electricity in order to power the economy to the extent where it can create the kinds of large-scale jobs that would move our country into a middle-income country.

All of these points to the critical importance of the PYPP. Now let me speak to you all from my heart and as a fellow young professional myself. When you hate what you do every day for eight hours, when you go to work only to receive your monthly salary - your life is not complete to say the least. I like the quotation by Elizabeth Kubler Ross who said, "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is alight from within". The source of this inner light is love for everything that surrounds you - your family in the first place, but also your work! It should give you delight, ensure your professional and personal growth and provide you with a sense of achievement and importance of what you do.

Trust my experience: such people rarely gets bored with their work in the course of years and are much happier than disillusioned money-earners. The most difficult thing here is to find the right kind of job. Every person is unique and is best suited to a particular sphere or position. You will never know which exactly is perfect for you until you try. Whatever sphere you choose, it should be your cup of tea, not just means to earn your living or beguile eight hours of your day. I call upon you to assume an active attitude to your career, and investigate the possible fields of interest right now,while you still have time to be mistaken and opportunity to work part-time. Two years is the term long enough to understand what you actually expect from your job and find at least the direction of your path. You will know the practical advantages of a definite job - and its drawbacks as well. The more you do now, the less confusion you'll feel when the vault of opportunities is flung open and you are welcome to go - but where? Even small working experience will help you to answer this question and find your true self by becoming a skilled professional.

According to my deepest conviction, a happy person is the person who always brings his own sunshine, wherever he goes and whatever the weather. Hope to see these sparks in you in your professional sojourn.

Thank you.