Liberia, our esteemed nation, faces a pivotal moment in its history. It is crucial for every patriotic citizen to engage in the discourse surrounding our country’s future. The distressing situations we observe today, compounded by our leaders’ apparent disregard for the decisions of our revered Supreme Court, resonate deeply with many. As proud Liberians, it is imperative that we articulate our concerns while simultaneously upholding the sanctity of the court’s ruling, as such respect is foundational to our democracy.
With patience and optimism, we have awaited a response from our president, a seasoned politician, hoping he would navigate this complex situation with the wisdom and understanding required. His oath to uphold our Constitution necessitates a commitment to respecting judicial decisions. While he may harbor reservations about the Supreme Court’s ruling, a public appeal for all Liberians to honor this decision would have fostered unity and reinforced our democratic values. This is a crucial opportunity for reconciliation among diverse groups, all striving to serve the interests of the Liberian populace. We implore our President to contemplate the enduring legacy he wishes to establish.
Liberia, endowed with abundant natural resources, is paradoxically home to 85% of its population living in extreme poverty and lacking access to quality education. The underlying issue appears to stem from a prolonged absence of competent and visionary leadership over the past two decades. The negative legacy of historical practices, compounded by the current disorder within our legislative body, necessitates urgent intervention. We propose a series of reforms that could substantially transform our nation within the next two years, ushering in a new era of progress and prosperity.
- We advocate for a transformative alteration in our legislative framework, suggesting the replacement of all senators and representatives with motorcyclists. Each motorcyclist would receive $2,000 to acquire a new motorcycle and a monthly salary of $3,000, resulting in an estimated savings of $4,635,000 in vehicle expenses. These funds could be redirected to increase the salaries of educators, healthcare workers, and law enforcement officers to a minimum of $350 per month. The savings derived from legislators’ compensation could facilitate the modernization of public schools, benefiting current and future generations. The contributions made by motorcyclists and kekek riders have significantly outperformed both the Unity Party and the CDC in enhancing the lives of Liberians over the past twenty years.
- We recommend designating our resilient market women to lead the Ministry of Commerce. Their ability to manage during economically challenging times positions them uniquely to cultivate significant improvements in our economy, particularly with the input and guidance of trained economists.
- Given his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Liberian people, we propose appointing Honorable Kolubah to head a team responsible for reviewing all current concession contracts operating in Liberia. Honorable Kolubah’s proven advocacy for the interests of our citizens could ensure that these contracts align with their best interests. It is estimated that 95% of concessions operating in Liberia are exploiting our resources, and a thorough examination led by Honorable Kolubah could rectify this.
- We believe that all Liberians residing abroad who wish to return home should be granted a one-time duty-free allowance on one personal vehicle and their belongings. This initiative would acknowledge the substantial economic contributions of Liberians in the diaspora, which are estimated to exceed $800 million annually.
- To foster and protect local businesses, we propose that foreign nationals be allowed to own only 20% of companies operating in Liberia, while 80% should be owned and managed by Liberians. The government should facilitate the operation of businesses by citizens rather than foreign nationals. It is disconcerting that less than 10% of expenditures within the country remain domestically. Additionally, we urge foreign enterprises to ensure a minimum salary and health benefits for all employees, promoting fair treatment and support for our labor force.
- To enhance trade and commerce, we advocate for developing ports in Maryland County and Grand Bassa County to accommodate container traffic. This is vital for alleviating the substantial operational challenges currently faced by the Freeport of Monrovia.
- Finally, we propose the appointment of Liberian journalists to lead the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism. Their profound understanding of our nation’s values and heritage would provide fresh insights and valuable perspectives for the ministry’s initiatives.
- It is advisable to consider privatizing the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation as part of comprehensive reforms to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and affordability. Privatization could attract new investments and technologies. Liberia’s economy currently operates on eight hours or less of electricity, and we believe privatization could help address this issue.
- Instead of the usual political rhetoric, we believe it would be more meaningful for institutions like the Spoon Network, Focus on Africa, and The Closing Argument to amplify the voices of the community—marketers, motorcyclists, students, nurses, and police officers—who are directly experiencing the hardships of life in Liberia. These individuals can provide a genuine representation of the challenges they face and the impact of the current situation, giving a voice to the struggles many citizens are enduring.
- The Government of Liberia should no longer pay politicians’ expenses to seek medical treatments outside the country.
- We propose a competent and visionary team of people to aid the president in moving the country forward expeditiously. We envision this team comprising individuals such as Taiwan Gonglow, Alexander Cummings, Dr. Moniba, Kiatamba, Dualu, Counselor Pearl Bull-Brown, Rudolph Bropleh, Leo Johnson, Elkanah Phillips, Yahsyndi, Magdalene Harris, Coach Quaweay, Charlyne Brumskine, Henry Peabody, as well as student representatives from Cuttington University College, University of Liberia, AMEU, MCSS, BWI, and Nimba University etc.
In conclusion, these proposed reforms aim to steer Liberia toward a path of recovery and growth, ensuring that our nation can truly fulfill its potential while uplifting the lives of its citizens.
Wynston Dixon, M.Div.
Retired United Methodist Pastor
