A Statement on a Better Liberia Agenda

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
February 27, 2022

Fellow Liberians, members of the press:
Before proceeding any further, please reflect with me for one moment of silence on the memory of Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer the founder of the Liberian People’s party, and many of the founding members of LPP that predeceased him, including but not limited to the following members:
 
Boley N’dorbor
Mathias Nimely
Ismael Campbell
Nyanfor Koffa
Wiwi Debbah
Nelson Wiah
Zardoe Dwana
Wuo Garbie Tappia
Tonie Richardson
David Momolu Lavala
Benedict Garlawolu
Albert Saywon
John Koti
Nathaniel Jebboe
Tarplah Weah
Henry Wylie
Thomas Jaye
Stephen Konah
Kpanbayeazee Duworko
Peter Karr
James Logan
Tom Kamara
Tarnue Johnson
Amos Bartu
Theodosia Clark
Let us also reflect on the over 300,000 Liberians who died during the fourteen years of civil conflict due to corruption, lack of respect for the rule of law, and other practices of bad governance in Liberia. May the result of the 2023 Presidential and legislative elections in Liberia make their souls finally rest in perfect peace. Amen. Thank you.

Liberia is nearly 175 years old, but remains backward and underdeveloped in absolute terms and comparison, to other African countries.  The cause of Liberia’s underdevelopment is complex, but due, in large part to the collective failure of Liberians to work for, demand, and make the necessary hard choices and sacrifices for good governance and inclusive growth and development.

A chronic deficit of leadership characterized by greed, a thirst for illicit wealth, and self-interest, as opposed to the welfare of the nation, is a significant factor in the current state of Liberia. Indeed, successive Liberian governments and their officials have demonstrated no capacity or vision beyond the protection of their narrow interests. This situation has left the country with eroded work ethics, national consciousness, and productivity.

The decadent culture of impunity and complacency is killing the Liberian nation across all aspects of governance. This has not only stalled but also reversed the little developmental gains the country has made. Our country has witnessed several failed interventions to foster democratic pluralism and good governance. These attempts at establishing a better Liberia were skillfully undermined and destroyed by the ruling elites. The current Liberian reality of diminishing space for social, economic, and cultural opportunities and advancement continues to remind us that mere political pluralism is not enough, as it has not provided the expected benefits to our people. This is a discouraging factor in our collective effort to build a democratic country.

Against this background, the current government was voted into office on the promise of “change for hope”. Upon coming to power the government adopted a “Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD)”. However, the disparity between a cabinet minister’s salary and the lowest paid civil servant’s salary is very high. Also, the prices of basic goods, especially food, have skyrocketed while the income levels of the poor have declined overall in real terms. Considering the fact there is a direct relationship between the price of food, especially rice, and poverty in Liberia, whenever the price of rice goes up, the people of Liberia get poorer. The current economic woe of the country proves that the government’s pro-poor agenda is geared toward making the Liberian people poorer, instead of freeing them from poverty. Despite the hardship in the country, top officials of the CDC government have continued to build big houses and purchase very expensive vehicles for their wives and concubines as though they are money magicians, while at the same time appealing to the people to wait for better days to come. Despite the government’s assertion that things are improving economically, the realities on the ground confirm the fact that officials of government do not care about the daily struggles of the ordinary people of Liberia, ranging from our sons and daughters being referred to as zogoes, the physically challenged, including the albinos, civil servants, nurses, the police officers in the streets, market women, yana boys and street sellers, the teachers in the classrooms, etc.

The current state of governance has placed upon us a sacred responsibility and reinforced our resolve to work towards the achievement of “A Better Liberia.” Since the late 1970s, patriots like the Late Albert Porte, the Late G. Baccus Mathews, now the Late Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer, Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh, Dew Mason, Dr. Nya Quiawon Taryor, and Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, amongst other supported by labor unions and student activists,   suffered for putting Liberia first by speaking truth to power. Also, Lawyers, including Cllrs. J. Emmanuel Berry, Leveli Supuwood, the Late Frances Garlawolu, Beyan D. Howard, C. Alexander Zoe, Frederick Jaweh, Charles Abdullai, and your humble servant, provided free legal services for the poor and persons perceived as enemies of the political establishment from the 1980s to the present. It is these efforts that provided an opportunity for a name such as George M. Weah to appear in the office of the President. As noble as those efforts have been, they have neither changed the state of governance in Liberia nor improved the living conditions of most of the people. The poor continue to get poorer and even those who previously had are getting poor. Now is the time to show that Liberia can be a better place for all Liberians without discrimination or preferential treatment. Now is the time to make every Liberian know that all Liberians have an equal share in the “corporation,” called Liberia or the national cake. Now is the time to change the process of governance in Liberia for the better. A Gongloe administration can change the situation for a better Liberia. This is not a speculation or an empty dream. Our track record of honesty and dedication to the cause of a better Liberia, even under risky situations, over the years, is well-known to all Liberians.

With a proven anti-corruption track record in public service, we can say without any fear of contradiction that, if we are placed at the helm of power, we will deliver a PEOPLE-ORIENTED LIBERIAN NATION based on the consciousness that “A BETTER LIBERIA IS POSSIBLE”, united with one destiny. Unity in Liberia is possible because of the commonality that exists amongst us Liberians. For example, the word keh means “but” in every Liberian language. We are one people that have been torn apart by nearly two centuries of bad governance, motivated by greed, selfishness, dishonesty, and a total lack of love for the country. This has led to a lack of trust in the government of Liberia and accentuated hopelessness, which has led to most Liberians being angry with every government. The year 2023 is the time to elect a government that will deliver a BETTER LIBERIA.

Our message is that “A Better Liberia is Possible” on the foundation of integrity and a strong commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights. These will be the guiding principles for strengthening our educational system, improving the state of security, protecting the environment, promoting gender equity, providing quality health services for all, making Liberia a food self-sufficient, improving basic infrastructure (road, air, and water transport and housing, schools, etc.); reducing raw material export and promoting value-addition to raw materials beginning with wood, and other natural resources.

We commit to pursue the following 10 objectives in our quest to build a better Liberia:

1. There will be zero tolerance for corruption under a Gongloe Government. Within the first 100 days, a thorough review of all audit reports done by the GAC will be carried out. That review will determine prosecutions and make recommendations on those that may be statute-barred. Our administration will commission routine audits including lifestyle audits of all public servants. Because corruption is the major obstacle to the creation of a better Liberia, we have developed a detailed 12 count prescription for combatting corruption with the caption GONGLOE’S 12 COUNT PRESCRIPTION FOR COMBATTING CORRUPTION as an integral part of the Better Liberia Agenda.

Corruption has been at the foundation for Liberia’s underdevelopment. Liberia that is the oldest independent Republic in Africa is currently much more underdeveloped than most African countries. Countries like Mauritius, Lesotho, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Botswana, and even Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, next door to Liberia are more developed than Liberia. Although most African countries are affected by corruption, Liberia seems to be in the top bracket of corrupt countries on the continent. Botswana, for example, at independence in 1966, 119 years after Liberia’s independence had a budget of US$3,000,000. However, because its first President Sir Seretse Khama was an honest leader and left a legacy of honesty that all succeeding presidents of Botswana have followed, by 2005, Botswana’s budget had grown to US$4,000,000,000. The main sources of Botswana’s wealth are diamonds and meat. Liberia could do better because it has diamond, gold, iron ore, uranium, amongst other minerals, rich soil, a vast and beautiful coastal land, and 43% of the remaining tropical forest in West Africa. Even if Liberia discovers petroleum in addition to the current natural resources that it has, the country is likely to remain underdeveloped if the theft of public resources is not stopped. Under Gongloe’s administration stealing will be curtailed in the following manner:

a. Asset declaration will be strictly implemented, with the President declaring and publishing his asset before being sworn into office.

b. In addition to the requirements laid out in Section 10.1 of the Code of Conduct of 2014, Ministers and all commissioned appointees shall declare their assets before their names are submitted to the Liberian Senate for confirmation and at the beginning of each year as well as upon leaving office.

c. All asset declarations shall be published by the government for the citizens to be informed about their government functionaries, consistent with Article 15(c) of the Constitution of Liberia.

c. That the salaries and benefits of the President and all officials of the government in the three branches of government shall be published online, and in the leading newspapers of Liberia.

d. That there shall be quarterly lifestyle audit of the President, all commissioned officials of government, and others as defined by Section 10.1 of the Code of Conduct of 2014.

e. Any official of the government that interferes with the functions of the police or any law enforcement officer shall, upon summary fact-finding, be immediately dismissed;

f. Any official of the government that undermines the independence of the Judiciary by influencing or obstructing its orders, decisions, or judgments, upon summary fact-finding, shall be dismissed immediately.

g. Any judicial official or legislator who engages in any act for which an executive branch employee may be dismissed shall be complained to the legislature for impeachment or expulsion.

h. That upon the discovery of any unexplained or unjustified expenditure; the president shall, upon summary fact-finding, forthwith dismiss the official involved and turn such official over to the LACC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

i. That conflict of interest, as defined by the Code of Conduct of 2014, other statutes, and best practices shall not be tolerated at all.

j. That any government official dismissed for corruption shall not be reappointed to any position in government.

1. That there shall be no pardon for officials of the government convicted for corrupt acts.

2. We shall ensure absolute non-interference with the functions of the judiciary and the police. Without an independent judiciary, peace will not be sustained, local and foreign investors will be reluctant to invest because their investment will not be protected by the courts. The police must enforce the laws of the country without fear or favor. There will be no selective application of the laws both by the police and the court. In the first 100 days of a Gongloe administration, a bill will be submitted to the legislature to make interference with the judiciary and police by government officials a felony.

3. Reconciliation, national healing, and unity will be the cornerstone for the promotion and maintenance of national cohesion in Liberia. We shall pursue the principle that all Liberians have equal shares in the company called Liberia. Not even the president’s share is greater than any other Liberian’s. No tribal, social, or religious identity shall be a cause for discrimination or unfair advantage in gaining access to government services and opportunities.

4. We shall foster the building of an equitable, fair, sustainable, transparent, accountable, and merit-based society on the foundation of rule of law and respect for human rights. Employment and the provision of social services and opportunities for economic empowerment will affirmatively include women, the physically challenged, drug-affected youth, and other marginalized groups. Deliberate effort shall be made to appoint women to at least fifty percent of all ministerial positions and as heads of fifty percent of all the autonomous government agencies, commissions, and public corporations as well as other presidential appointments. A Gongloe-led government shall ensure that Section 10.2 of the Executive Law is fully implemented with every part of this country being represented in the president’s cabinet. Income and wage inequality in government will be addressed by increasing the salaries of employees at the lower echelons of the civil service, members of the security forces, teachers, and health workers to reduce the huge income disparity between the lowest-paid civil servants and ministers and heads of public corporations. The salaries and other emoluments paid to the President and other senior officials of government shall be published annually. The government will address income and wage inequality by also pursuing a legislative action to seek an adjustment of the salaries and bonuses paid to members of the National Legislature. 

5. Our government will take deliberate actions to empower Liberian businesses by ensuring that businesses that have been set aside by law for exclusive Liberian ownership are done by only Liberians. The government will also guarantee soft loans for Liberian businesses. In the first 100 days, the government will commission a study to determine the eligibility criteria for the soft loan. To prepare Liberians to fully participate in these and other economic activities, emphasis will be placed on education and vocational training, with the opening of vocational training centers in every county. The provision of the Decent Work Act that provides for not issuing work permits to non-Liberians for jobs for which Liberians are qualified will be rigorously enforced to increase the employment of Liberians. In fulfillment of its legal obligation, the Ministry of Labor will be required to retain an up-to-date database of all Liberian professionals. Employment in the public service will be based on merit and not politicized. The policy of import substitution and export promotion will be pursued to change the balance of trade in a positive direction, expand the economy, broaden the revenue base, and increase employment. Towards this end tax incentive will be given to manufacturing companies for placing their plants every fifty miles away from Monrovia. This will increase rural formal employment and reduce the current level of rural urban migration. As part of this policy of expanding the economy and increasing rural employment, the government will promote agricultural investments that are designed to stimulate the production of labor-intensive and non-tradable products and services in the rural non-farm sector.

6. A Gongloe led government shall take deliberate actions aimed at increasing food production and food sufficiency in Liberia to reduce the current high level of dependency on food imports. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), “Rice for human consumption accounts for over 80 percent of imports” in Liberia. (FAO GIEWS Country Brief on Liberia, 2020). This means Liberia is seriously food insecure. This situation must be reversed. Food insecurity in Liberia means that whenever the price of rice goes up, Liberians get poorer. Most countries that have made economic progress have laid great emphasis on the production of their staple food. Even Egypt, a desert country, is listed among the rice producers of the world. This is shameful for Liberia, to say the least. The government shall make capital investments in the agriculture sector to ensure self-sufficiency in food production, not only in the production of rice but also in other major food commodities, such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and yams. Our administration will prioritize the construction and maintenance of farm-to-market roads as a major part of its food security agenda.

7. The school system under a Gongloe administration shall be geared towards producing highly skilled professional Liberians equipped to lead Liberia and capable of functioning in any work environment anywhere in the world. Also, our schools should build a vibrant student community that will, again, serve as research-based critics and the conscience of our society and a place for academic freedom, and excellence, as well as an avenue for promoting accountability, unity, reconciliation, social justice, sustainable peace, economic growth, development, and prosperity. The aim is to provide quality free and compulsory primary and secondary education for all Liberians, as well as develop a sustainable program for promoting high-quality tertiary education. We will ensure the mainstreaming of science and technology in Liberian schools to get Liberia’s educational system to be on par with its neighbors. The educational system will be the main engine for promoting sustained peace, progress, and prosperity in Liberia.

8. We must sensitize the people of Liberia on the merits of effective and meaningful participation in national decision-making as a means of nurturing a compelling atmosphere for the devolution of power. This would entail support for decentralization; free, fair, and regular elections; and freedom of information, expression, and assembly. Promoting integrity in government from the office of the president to the lowest local government official through decentralized governance will be highly pursued for the building of public confidence in government. Public trust and confidence are the sustainable means to secure the tenure of any government. Freedom of expression must never be curtailed or compromised in any manner, shape, or form because the government must be by the will and consent of the people. Fundamental freedoms shall not be compromised under a Gongloe administration.

9. Promoting a healthy population by focusing on preventive health services and strengthening curative medical programs at the community level, throughout Liberia with a strong monitoring mechanism is a must to ensure that medical services reach the population. The government will take deliberate action to increase the number of medical doctors in Liberia and introduce a National Health Service that will ensure that every Liberian has access to a family doctor and where necessary specialist care at little or no cost to the individual. Being poor shall no longer mean death from preventable ailments.

10. The government will invest in sports and athletics programs for the youth to promote entertainment, competition, physical fitness, good health, and crime prevention. This policy will focus on providing financial support for a scaled-up version of sports and athletics programs in schools and communities throughout the country. Promotion of music and the performing arts, including cultural entertainment programs, comedy, and other creative arts will also receive government funding. There is a need for building theaters and cultural centers for performance and creative arts for entertainment, preservation of positive Liberian culture, and promotion of tourism.

Before, I conclude, let me say a few words about the prevailing rumor in Liberia and in the Liberian media space about my being on a ticket with the Standard Bearer either of the Unity Party or the Standard Bearer of the Alternative National Congress. First, let me say that there is no history of Liberian political parties uniting to win, where the issue of standard-bearer is an issue of contention. Up to present the Liberians in and out of Liberia who has spoken to me over the years and petitioned me last year maintain that I should run for the presidency of Liberia. This puts them in dispute with partisans of UP and ANC. A resolution of such a dispute may take away the valuable time for a credible campaign. Second, political collaborations, alliances, mergers, cooperation, and other forms of associations are normally between or among political parties and not individuals, unless they are independent candidates. I am a founding member of the Liberian People’s Party and I am wooing members of that party to elect me as the standard-bearer of the party. Hence, as an ordinary member of the party, I have no legal authority to enter into any formal relationship with a standard-bearer of another party. I fully understand the desire of a majority of the Liberian people for a common front to defeat the ruling party; however, every step taken in the democratic process must be supported by law and the interest of building a better Liberia, devoid of sentiments and quick-fix solutions.  
In a better Liberia, the citizens will experience sustained peace, progress, and prosperity through respect for the rule of law and human rights

A BETTER LIBERIA IS POSSIBLE

I thank you

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