Several weeks ago I announced my aspiration to contest for the Legislative seat of Representative in Montserrado County District 7. The truth of the matter is that I had previously had no desire to contest for elected office in 2023. I had spent the past three elections (2017 Presidential and General Elections, 2019 By-Elections and 2021 Mid-term) supporting others in their bid for elected office. Iâd also been lobbying people who I thought would be great candidates for the Legislature to throw their hat in the race. Why? Because I believed that the country needed sound and capable leadership and I so desperately wanted to help make that happen. I still believe this but, unfortunately, some of those who I supported have turned out to be huge disappointments. And the others that I lobbied kept asking me why I wanted them to go to that âmad houseâ (the Legislature) if I wasnât willing to go myself. Considering what was, and still is, at stake in our national governance systems, I made the dreaded decision to contest for office. I had finally reached the conclusion that if I was ever to see the change I wanted, I would have to do it myself.
I was filled with fear. I had prayed about my decision and gotten the support of my family, but I couldnât help but wonder. Did I make the right decision? Could I accomplish this? Would the people of Montserrado D7 embrace and support me? Would the propaganda of âsheâs not one of usâ win over truth? Would my stark aversion to using âcash violenceâ and âquick impact projectsâ cause me to lose this battle? Would my âboldnessâ be seen as not caring about getting votes? Would I be able to deliver on a promise of helping to create a transparent and representative governance process that helps ensure D7 residents’ voices are heard? Could I honor my commitment to improving the quality of life for D7 residents? Would my 27+ years of private sector professional experience and skills be enough to bring about transformative change in the public space? And most of allâŚWould I have to change who I am in order to win the hearts and minds of voters? All these questions, and so many more, kept me up many of nights.
But in the end, I made 3 decisions that calmed my fears a bit.
1) Winning at all cost would not be my strategy and I would never allow my desire to win change who I am.
2) Montserrado D7 has some very conscious residentsâŚI would put the elbow grease into making my case to them the old fashioned wayâŚI would (a) tell them the truth about our current situation as a nation and the future possibilities available with HARD WORK and COMMITMENT and (b) not make any false promises that I could not keep, no matter how badly they wanted to have it.
3) And the most important decision of allâŚI would always remember that life has never been handed to me on a silver platter and if I could achieve what I have in my life, then I would not allow fear to stop me from attempting to venture into public service.
And so here we are today.
True to my philosophy that âsuccess is 90% planning and 10% executionâ, as soon as I made the decision, I began the task of PLANNING for this journey. And I can tell you that the experience so far has been interesting and surprising at the same time, to say the least. I have encountered many different personalities and had varying thoughts and emotions during this time. We all know how the political scene can be in Liberia, especially around elections time. I have met some âtypical politiciansâ, but what has very pleasantly surprised me is that the overwhelming majority of my engagements with D7 residents supporting my candidacy has been extremely gratifying. Iâve met people who have been deprived and want better. People who have been battered but still believe that there can be a better tomorrow. People who are willing to roll up their sleeves without asking me for a dime. People who have challenged me just to see how serious I am about contesting. People who have positively surprised me in so many ways.
When I began this journey, I thought that I would be the one coming to bring hope. But I can honestly say that many of the people Iâve met in the recent weeks have actually validated my decision to contest, inspired me to continue the journey, and given ME hope!
And so today, I want to share a word or two about HOPE.
I have always harbored the hope that the conditions we face as a people and nation will change for the better, even during the times when the reality seemed to make hoping a futile effort. In my private life, I have practiced giving as a form of personal gratitude and food for my hope. But as I prepared for the daunting task of seeking and serving in public office, and looked more closely into the conditions of D7, all I saw was impossibilities.
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Wheew, what a bunch! You see, HOPE comes in many shapes and forms. And I must say that D7 residents are some of the most resilient people I have seen. They truly know how to make a dollar out of fifteen cents! When I hear about some of their daily life experiences and see the conditions that they are forced to live in, I am left with one question â How in the world are they still standing?? And when I speak with them, I ask myself â where do they get the strength from to continue hoping? Many of us would crack under these conditions.
The past several weeks have been mind-blowing. The people of D7 want change. They are tired of politicians lying to them. They know all too well the elections âgimmicksâ where candidates say all of the âsweet nothingsâ pre-elections and then forget they exist and who they represent in the Legislature once they take office. They have appreciated my being truthful and not being a âtypical politicianâ. They want adequate representation and they are RESOLVED that this time around, they are going to settle for nothing less. Yes, they are CONSCIOUS and this has reinvigorated my Hope on so many levels.
So I am honored, willing, and ready to serve YOU, the people of D7! Itâs gonna be a long and rocky journey, but weâll get there TOGETHER!
