Stop Shifting Your Failure on Becoming President of a Broken Liberia: Muster the Courage and Political Will to Fight Corruption Reaction to President Sirleaf Annual Massage By political Commentator: DASHWARD A. WUMAH With 16 billion dollars in direct foreign aid to Liberia and the failure of the Sir leaf’s administration to delivered the Liberian people from ensconce of poverty is not only irritating but scaring. Madam Sirleaf continues to complain over the years that she became president of a broken country. Madam Sirleaf is now eight years into her administration. Will she continue to complain about becoming President of a wrecked and divided nation? President Sirleaf government is the first in Liberia history to received huge support from the international community, but fascinatingly the Liberian people continue to live in deficiency. Now a critical analysis of President Sirleaf annual massage to the third session of the 53rd National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Sirleaf spoke on many critical national issues. Today I intent to look at some of those pressing issues from a microscopic and political commentator point of view, with no personal hate against the president but within the context of intellectualism. THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY President Sirleaf spoke on the state of the Liberian economy as a huge success but I want to disagree with her assertion “But we must all be reminded that our country is recovering from a low economic base where 90 percent of our productive capacity had been destroyed, which is arguably the greatest decrease in economic output recorded in any country since World War II. Coming from where we were – a broken, destroyed and nearly incapacitated country – we have made marked progress in economic revitalization and the restoration of basic social services as part of the governance pact with the Liberian people. Socioeconomic conditions have improved as a result of the combined strong efforts of the national government, the people of Liberia and our development partners.” Disagreement to president Sirleaf affirmation on the state of the Liberian economy as a huge success How President Sirleaf did measured the success of the Liberian economy in her annual massage? When it is a clear fact that the Liberian economy remains’ in an unacceptable condition, according to the World Food Program (2013- 2017) An estimated 64 percent of Liberians live below the poverty line, of whom 1.3 million live in extreme poverty. Social safety nets are poorly developed. The country still depends on food imports and is vulnerable to economic shocks. Agricultural markets are poorly integrated, especially in rural areas, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty. Food insecurity affects 41 percent of the population and chronic malnutrition is high. Madam Sirleaf stated an increased of the national revenue which started in 2006 by an average of 29 percent each year, and total revenues, including contingent revenue and on-budget borrowing, rose from US$148 million in FY2006/7 to US$559 million in FY2012/13. Expenditure for budget year 2012/13 totaled US$593 million, an increase of 22 percent over the previous year and annual average growth of 28 percent over the seven-year period. The critical question I continue to ask as a political commentator is; how did the increased in the expenditure for previous budget years improved the lives of the ordinary Liberians? Our sisters and future mothers are still hanging around the streets corners at night waiting for men as means of their economic survivor. THE ISSUE OF LAND DISPUTES IN THE COUNTRY I want to take this time as a political commentator to show appreciation to President Sirleaf for the establishment of the “Land Coordination Centers” that are fully operational in Lofa, Margibi, Bong, Nimba and Maryland Counties to settle land disputes . I am afraid if land disputes are not handled in a timely faction, this too could lead to another wave of violent and blood share in Liberia. THE LIBERIA MARINE TRAINING INSTITUTE Special gratitude to president Sirleaf and her administration for re-opening in October 2011 The Liberia Marine Training institute after closure since 1989, this institute graduated 80, bringing to over 500 the number of trained and certified Liberians who are now prepared for employment in the Maritime sector. Even though, during the course of last year the Maritime authority was in court battle with some cadets families who died on the beach. I encourage the government of Liberia to improve their level of training and improve training materials to avoid such occurrence. FOREIGN AFFAIRS The contribution of infantry platoon-size unit of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) joined the Africa International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) – the first time that our country is participating in peacekeeping operations in 52 years is a plus. Nevertheless, our own security at home needs improvement. SECURITY, PEACE, JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW “The celebration of a Decade of Peace in 2013 was a milestone achievement for us as a nation, regardless of our individual status, ethnicity, political and religious affiliations. We are all proud of this collective achievement, recognizing that violence, which knows no boundaries or differences, shatters and destroys; while peace pools the resources of a people, leading them to greater development. Under the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense, a 1,980-person-strong Armed Forces of Liberia continues to position itself to support a democratic environment through tactical and technical proficiencies and the development of a robust capacity to defend our territorial integrity. The Armed Forces Training Command, now headquartered at the newly renovated Todee Camp, assumed responsibility for tactical and proficiency training locally, and is presently training 140 new army recruits, which will be increased by some 400 recruits who were vetted and endorsed by the Joint Personnel Board. The AFL is also expanding its Engineering and Medical Units to assist in reconstruction projects and social service delivery. Similarly, the Coast Guard, of 82 persons, is expanding and strengthening its capabilities to patrol and protect our maritime domain, as evidenced by the arrests of several illegal fishing vessels in our waters.” President Sirleaf spar decade of peace we all now enjoy as Liberians and affirmed the transformation of the Liberian Army under the leadership of the minister of National defense in her annual massage. My fear as a political commentator and a law-enforcement professional is the UNMIL drawdown plan is near, Liberia will be left to control their internal security. The security detail is compromise by our current Minister of National Defense, as evidence of the Ellen’s Corkrum secret recording of the Minister of National Defense. The critical question is; can the Liberian people trust their country security in the hands of the current minister of national defense? My Appreciation to the Liberian government for making this wise decision of thinking about installing on February 11, 2014 Armed Forces Day Celebration, a Liberian Army Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and the Brigade Commander, all of whom, if confirmed, would be installed in these positions on February 11, Armed Forces Day. It is a good thing for the Liberian government to increase the strength of the Liberia National police 600 persons annually from the police training academy, but professionalism in the police is lacking. Commanding officers at the police training academy should stress the ethical code of policing so that those police officials who are graduating will know that police job is perform with professionalism. Recommendation to the Liberian government I have noticed with interest lots of Liberian living in the United States of America with degrees in criminal justice, law-enforcement and police science .The Liberian government could set up an exploratory committee to explore the possibility of recruiting these highly trained Liberians to work in the Liberian security as the government awaits the process of UNMIL drawdown. ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION “In the short term, the focus is to expand the transmission and distribution infrastructure and to respond to the demand of residential and commercial customers. The medium term of one to three years will see major expansion in generation capacity. In this regard, rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee hydroelectric power plant, our flagship program, is well on course. Manufacturing of the turbines, the most critical component of the project, is already under way, and physical work on the powerhouse and dam has already commenced. Two days ago, on January 25, to the rousing reception and delight of the people of Louisiana, a few of you joined me and several of our partners in groundbreaking for the civil works phase of the project.” The president confirmed the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee hydroelectric power plant in her annual massage. I believe as a political commentator the issue of electricity in the country is belated. Electricity is the major source to the growth and development of a nation. Electricity creates job opportunities for the citizens of the country. With electricity companies and cooperation’s can decide to do business with in the country. The government of Liberia has set December 15, 2015 as the day the hydro at Mount Coffee will be ready for use, we as political commentators are watching to see the reality unfold. YOUTH ENPOWERMENT The government of Liberia is doing little to improve the lives of the most vulnerable population of Liberia who are often gullible to most form of destruction in the country. There is a common saying that an adore mind is the devil workshop. The government of Liberia should double up their endeavor in making show that the young people of Liberia acquire skills to help them survive the global economic challenges’ HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I must extol this government for the creation of community colleges around the country. I agree with president Sirleaf when she said “Education is the most critical element of a development agenda. It is not cheap and it requires sacrifices by parents, students, teachers, leaders, and the entire nation.” The establishment of community college around the country is good but the government of Liberia must now see this as a mounting Challenge to send smart Liberians abroad to attain skills and education in different field of studies, so that they can return to Liberia and instruct those community colleges. DUAL CITIZENSHIP “Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen: A great human capital resource for the development of this country lies in the Liberian Diaspora. We trust that as you move forward during this session, and in your deliberations, you will give adequate consideration to the recognition of citizens’ rights for those persons born as Liberians, and those born of Liberian parentage who wish to contribute fully to the development of this country as citizens. The grant of Liberian citizenship would enable us to draw on the wealth of financial, technical and other resources available to that category of persons that could be deployed nationally.” President Sirleaf is 100 percent right on the issue of granting Liberians with dual citizenship the right to work in Liberia. I suppose the issue of dual citizenship is a critical component to the development of Liberia. And these are my reasons to defend my intellectual argument. One reason is the health sector of Liberia is in a deplorable ship. Most Liberians who are American citizen are now Doctors and nurses and the restriction due to the dual citizenship law in Liberia cannot allow them to hold certain positions in the health sector to better serve Liberia. Reason number two; the United Nation Mission (UNMIL) will soon drawdown their troop from Liberia. Lots of Liberians in the United States who are citizens of the United States are schooled in the area of criminal Justice, Law-enforcement, and Police Science and could fill the vacuum that will be created by UNMIL withdrawal, if they are allow to occupied sensitive security position in the country. CORRUPTION Finally corruption in now the biggest monster in the Liberian government, President Sirleaf has failed miserable in her fight against corruption. Madam Sirleaf lacks the political will to fight corruption. Her failure to put friendship aside and be a patriotic Liberian and say enough is enough to this cancer that is eating the Liberian government is her major problem. She has lost control of her “iron lady” nomenclature. I now call her the “weak lady” instead of the Iron lady. Madam Sirleaf failure to perform what she preached in the eighties during the Late President Samuel Doe regime is not only exasperating but frustrating to patriotic Liberians home and abroad. I agree that corruption is at all level of the government including the legislative branch of government as evidence of the 73 millions communities quick impact bill introduce by the legislature. Even though the county development fund is in the law, the Legislature cannot account for what is being done with that money . Some part of last year we heard one of the law-making, Edward Ford in a secret recording talking about “you eat I eat” in an attempt to embezzle the Liberian people money. The court is also slow in dealing with corrupt cases. In the mist of this, madam Sirleaf must play her part by putting on her iron lady jacket and help in the fight against corruption. Long live the republic of Liberia, Long live the Liberian people. May we sustain the peace that we all enjoy? I Dashward A. Wumah ,commonly called political Dash approved this massage. The author of this article is a political commentator; He holds a degree in Police Science from the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, A degree in Criminal Justice from the North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, A law-enforcement certificate from the Minneapolis community and technical College, Minneapolis Minnesota. He can be contacted at politicaldash@yahoo,com or cell at 763-400-6828..
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:58:05 +0000
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