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Liberia: Change in minds and attitudes: an integral part of societal development
Aug 4, 2008
by Michael Kpayili / Staff Writer

Many Liberians have blamed others and continue to hold onto the views of being blameless for societal ills and public neglects over issues that suppress the survival of our country. What is particularly worrisome is the inability of citizens (Liberians) to rethink on attitudes that seems to undermine the fabrics of our National enhancement.

The topic of this article was drawn from the very popular radio Talk Show “Change in minds and attitudes”, hosted by Liberia’s Information Minister Dr. Lawrence Bropleh. The topic, if taken into consideration, would invoke varieties of arguments judging from its nitty-gritty and polarized structure. However, keen attention was drawn from family units, which includes dislike of some attitudes of parents, but they exhibit the same attitude in front of children. For example, parents dislike the involvement of children in alcoholism and smoking, and yet they send their children and teens to purchase cigarettes and liquor.

The realization of “change in minds and attitudes” could rather be consummated if all stakeholders ranging from privileged officials of Government to unprepared parents collectively engage in building up the future of our children and by extension, the protection of our dear country Liberia. The transformation and idealistic principles of refining the minds and attitudes of our children through large-skilled rehabilitation initiatives invoke euphoria among less fortunate children of being part of a progressive society for the change of good.

The challenge of any well-meaning Liberian is to help change the minds and attitudes from the negative embodiment of criminality and anti-development among our children to pivotal and moral values. Therefore, the responsibilities and challenges to succeed in realizing the values of our children are in reconciliation with comparative analysis of the roles youth played during the civil wars in Liberia. In order to achieve the overwhelming and cohesive realization of the bright future of our children, adversaries within the political arena of our country must understand that there must be diversity in policies and opinions, but the common ideological solution to these problems is the change in minds and attitudes.

Let us not restrict or limit the topic under consideration to the future of children alone. Change in minds and attitudes would mean exemplifying respect for those in authorities and vice visa. It would also mean adequate distribution of the country’s wealth by turning away from corruption and nepotism as being highlighted in most of President Sirleaf speech. The challenge are enormous although, but the transformation of the minds of our children from bad to good must be a paramount concern.

Liberians are constantly reminded of the delay in job creations and policy programs for children, and by extension the entire country by officials in Government is now becoming to be a cliché. While it is ture that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the head of Government, principal deputies entrusted to implement Government’s policies are becoming flat-footed, thereby impeding the swift implementation of Government policies.

Ministers Lawrence Bropleh and Samuel Kofi Woods, two young and energetic Liberiansm, have proven the highest degrees of liberalism beyond cabinet Ministerial positions to exemplify the “get busy attitudes”. These two Cabinet Ministers have always identifed with the plight of children, and have created programs for their well-being to help solve if not all, but at least part of the children’s problems. Lawmakers, Cabinet Ministers and Commissioners in Government are all Liberians that are instituting policies for the promotion of youth and children well-being in the country . These must be the shared responsibilities of all.

Parents are also stakeholders in this responsibility. Take the children off the streets, stop sending them to buy alcohol and cigarettes, keep counseling them, share responsibility with them, and draw them closer. The children are our future pride.

About the Author:
Michael Kpayili is a staff writer for TheLiberianTimes.com. Kpayili has written articles which have appeared on TheLiberianTimes.com since late 2005, and his hard hitting investigative journalism has earned the respect of the Liberian press community.

Michael Kpayili may be contacted at mkpayili@theliberiantimes.com.