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Liberia: Laying The Foundation For Democracy, Stability, Accountability And Public Trust
Jan 16, 2006
Author: Edwin F. Kruah/ Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, U.S.A

The Challenges Of The Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Presidency:

Today, January 16, 2006, the eyes of the world will be focused on Liberia as Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf takes the oath of office to become Africa’s first democratically elected female president. This will indeed be a historic moment for Liberia, another milestone for a nation known as Africa’s first independent state. For Mrs. Sirleaf, this will be a dream come true, a climax of a long and arduous struggle, and finally an opportunity to serve her nation and people. It is no doubt that Mrs. Sirleaf faces a huge responsibility – the task of rebuilding a ravaged nation.

For Liberians of all walks of life, January 16, 2006 marks a turning point … a beacon of hope for a new beginning and a renewal of their shattered lives. This will certainly be an opportunity not only for Mrs. Sirleaf, but for all Liberians, to rise to the occasion and seize the moment to move the country forward. The victory of November 8 , 2005 does not belong to Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirlearf alone, it belongs to all Liberians who wish to see their country unshackled from the state of backwardness, corruption, decadence and misrule to a model of development and prosperity. Despite its status as Africa’s oldest independent state, Liberia is a story of a failed nation, owing to a consummate culture of corruption, lack of accountability, bad governance, and the erosion of national consciousness.

There is no doubt that Mrs. Sirleaf ascends to the Liberian presidency at the most testing and difficult time in the nation’s history, yet Liberians take consolation in her experience, integrity and indomitable will power to achieve results. Truly, Mrs. Sirleaf’s place in history will be defined not by what she did in the past, but by what she does as president of Liberia…the legacy she leaves behind. The challenges are many, but the following issues certainly constitute the core elements that must be immediately tackled:

Institutionalizing Democracy:

The history of Liberia is replete with a culture of undemocratic rule, embedded in a tradition of chieftaincy and dictatorship. The political culture has been characterized by sycophancy, cynicism, bigotry, the suppression of the majority will and the lack of transparency. It is therefore imperative that a true spirit of democracy be injected into the political fabric of the country; that every citizen be provided the opportunity to freely express his/her view without fear or favor; that the system of one man one vote be scrupulously upheld; that the political process be open, free and fair for the full participation of every citizen, and that all elected officials be accountable to the people. Democracy must pervade every facet of the nation, from the village to the city, from the farm to the market, from the palaver hut to the legislature, from the factory to the mines, and from the classroom to the office. It is true that sustainable socio-economic development will occur only when true democracy is allowed to prevail.

Establishing Stability

Crucial to the task of national development is the establishment of stability. This is the fulcrum upon which all things rest. Pursuing true reconciliation must not only be a program, but a national agenda that seeks to create lasting harmony among the Liberian people and heal the deep wounds of the civil war. Every Liberian should be made to have a feeling of belonging and ownership, to develop a strong sense of national identity above tribal, ethnic or sectional identity. Every effort should be made to galvanize the people towards national unity, ensuring that every Liberian’s rights are respected. The ills of the past that divided Liberians into privileged and under-privileged classes must be completed eradicated and replaced by a new socio-economic order that provides equal opportunity for all. The resources of the country must be utilized to benefit all the people and improve their quality of life. To achieve genuine stability, Liberians must be assured that they now live in a society where the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all; where discrimination has no place; where oppression and suppression will never be condoned; where freedom rings from every, hill, mountain, tree and valley, and where every Liberian will be judged, not by his/her tribe or ethnicity, but by the content of his/her character.

Establishing Accountability and Public Trust

The tendency of corruption, lack of accountability and the misuse of public office should be seriously discouraged and eliminated. A code of conduct for all civil servants must be established and enforced with the highest level of discipline required. A new culture of accountability and decency in public service should be instituted to ensure that those serving in positions of responsibility are worthy and deserving of public trust. For too long, Liberia has been vandalized by unscrupulous public servants and officials who see public service not as an opportunity to serve, but as a means to an end. This time around, the Liberian people deserve nothing less, but the highest standard of professionalism, performance, and integrity from their public servants and officials. To win public trust and ensure transparency in government, it must be required of all appointed and elected officials to declare their assets before taking office. The same should be done when leaving office with a complete accounting of all government properties entrusted to them. This process will curtail the tendency of some individuals who seek public office simply to enrich themselves.

The Role of Liberians

As Liberians, we now have the opportunity to take ownership of our country, roll up our sleeves, and work assiduously to rebuild our war-torn nation. Together in unity and with a sense of purpose, we can once again restore our country to its rightful place in the comity of nations. To achieve this, we need a new vision…the ability to think outside the box…to look beyond the horizon and seize the emerging opportunities. Foremost amongst these is the economy. For too long, the Liberian economy has been dominated by foreign entrepreneurs who, apparently, have little or no interest in developing the country, but rather to exploit the country and its people. It is hoped that the new administration will ensure the full implementation of the Liberianization Policy, with the intent of creating the avenue for Liberian entrepreneurs to succeed and eventually take over the economy of the country. This, of course, does not mean that we can not seek partnership with foreign entrepreneurs/corporations, but such partnership should not be to the disadvantage of Liberians as was the case in the past. Liberians must ready themselves to fully participate in every activity of the economy and at all levels, from retail, services to manufacturing.

It can not be over-emphasized that the task at hand is enormous, but with the appropriate attitude, dedication, and resolve, Liberians can attain comparable level of development to that of any developed country in Africa. Today, unlike the past, Liberia is blessed with talented, experienced, educated and internationally trained men and women in every profession, capable of taking their country to a new level of development and progress. This, of course, requires a strong sense of patriotism and self denial on the part of all Liberians to respond to the call of their country for duty. This is not the time to ask “what Liberia can do for me?”, but what we can individually and collectively do to lift our beloved country from its current state of misery to a state of vibrancy. Whether you are residing at home or abroad, every Liberian has an obligation to shape the direction of the country by being involved and making positive contributions. The lesson of history and our recent experience must serve as constant reminder that Liberia belongs to all Liberians, and what affects it affects all of us, no matter what your social and economic status may be.

On a concluding note, I must however reiterate that the direction Liberia takes going forward will largely be dependent on the kind of leadership Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf provides, her ability to be decisive, uncompromising and unwavering in dealing with corruption, cronyism, the abuse of public office, and the violation of citizens’ rights, no matter who is involved. It is important that President Sirleaf sets in motion, from the onset, a clear vision and the direction in which she intends to take the country for the next six years, and the legacy she wishes to leave behind.

About the Author:
Edwin F. Kruah is a free lance writer who has authored several articles dealing with
socio-economic and political issues on Liberia. Some of these include: “Liberia on a New Historical Page” (1980); “Student Politics and National Consciousness” (1984); “Which Way ..G. Baccus Matthews” (1985); “Firestone’s Pledge of Working with Liberia for Progress .. a Paradox” (1982), etc, etc.

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