Differing with Benjamin Sanvee’s Exploratory Committee By: Harry Ar-toe Gkornean Admittedly, the need for generational infusion or young people’s overwhelming involvement in Liberia’s national governance process is long overdue and even more demanding and appropriate now. With the level of enthusiasm in Liberian youth to actively participate in the rebuilding and transformation process of their country, one can easily agree that the time is now. However, this imperative need should be carefully examined and decisions as to the level of preparedness and qualifications of prospective participants must be properly derived void of biases and partiality. It is in this regard that I have chosen to respond to the superfluity of misinformation recently published in the Tuesday, July 30, 2013 edition of the FrontPageAfrica online website by what is been called ‘Benjamin Sanvee Senate Exploratory Committee’. Firstly, the author(s) of the article titled: ‘Sanvee Eyes Montserrado County Senatorial Bid, Possible Showdown with Weah’ blatant attempt to present an obvious ‘showdown with Ambassador Weah is overly misleading as far as Liberia’s politics is concerned, especially within Montserrado. This raised the question of who are those undertaking this exploration. It is obviously suicidal to anticipate a showdown between ‘little known’ Benjamin Sanvee and Amb. Weah. Moreover, according to Sanvee “Our country is at a major crossroads- a defining moment in our history when we need to focus on how to uplift the people especially the youth and women more than ever……” This statement leaves me with the question of ‘where was Liberia when he became Youth Advisor’? Wasn’t Liberia at a crossroads by then and what was his contribution when he was given the opportunity and platform to contribute? Probably this present crossroads has more intersecting routes than his youth advisory period. Sanvee continues- “….. the need to build a life skills center to teach young people how to transition from university to career life, the need to elevate market women from selling in Duala to owning a store in Sinkor or even shopping center. My goal is to represent the people of Montserrado County in the Liberian Senate to focus on these needs and bringing them to reality”. Interestingly laughable! Unarguably, these needs were even more visible and evident during Sanvee’s public service as Youth Advisor to Former President Taylor. It is now time that he emphasize his contributions as Youth Advisor in addressing these needs when they were more detectable. Since his goal now is to represent Montserrado County in the Senate, we are also interested in his goal as Youth Advisor to President Taylor and his level of achievements. Of course, as his exploratory committee said he became the youngest member of a Presidential Cabinet in the history of Liberia. But that achievement can only take him to stardom but cannot amount to sufficient reason for his preferment to the Liberian Senate. What is recorded is that Benjamin Sanvee national prominence was birthed when he became Youth Advisor and ended immediately after the appointment. Only through joke, deceit or ignorance can a Liberian argue that ‘Sanvee was the lonely voice of youth advocacy in Liberia and succeeded in bringing to the center stage of national politics the plights of Liberian youth when he became youth advisor’. This is ludicrous and a broad day lie distributed from the bellies of un-patriots and turncoats that is unacceptable and his exploratory committee must desist immediately. Little Sanvee, at the time was never one of those prepared and willing to speak to power and that is why it’s difficult for one to give a one sentence achievement of Sanvee as Youth Advisor; And that we can understand. Ignoring relevant individuals and institutions that spoke to the status-quo and attempting to misleadingly hail Sanvee is disingenuous, conniving and devious. Even Sanvee on LBS Bomber Show couldn’t remember where he ever disagreed with the government of Liberia when he served as Youth Advisor. I must admit that I do admire Sanvee’s bravery and courage to contest the Montserrado County Senatorial elections, that is if he will, but bravery and courage are inadequate to mobilize the relevant folks and earn him the senatorial seat. As it is often said, ‘even the devil has courage’. Although it is widely believed that there was a relationship between the Sanvees and former first lady Jewel Howard- Taylor that guaranteed Benjamin the Youth Advisory post, but his unilateral appointment is absolutely distinct from the upcoming senatorial process. However, since previous attempts by Sanvee to get a ministerial position failed, it is believed that he can accrue more relevance in securing a better job after unsuccessfully contesting for the senate. Former Montserrado County Superintendent Grace Kpan, Rivergee Superintendent Daniel Johnson and Maryland Development Superintendent Nathaniel Toe are beneficiaries of this political strategy; I think it can work. While we support the involvement and participation of young people in our national governance process, we won’t rest in critically examining their contributions and preparedness. To assume national leadership, Liberian youth must demonstrate their leadership credentials and readiness to competently contribute to Liberia’s Transformation. No offense to brother Sanvee, but in my opinion his credentials are inadequate and insufficient to land him to the senate. Considering the decisive and defining nature of the Liberian society, that Sanvee also alludes to, we are oblige to find a better youthful candidate with unarguable and indisputable advocacy and leadership portfolio; they are all around in Montserrado. Such a time, such a condition! Trust me, these analyses will continue.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 12:41:18 +0000
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