Voice of Liberia

Change in Mind and Change in Attitude and the Credibility Issue in Government

Introduction

Praises and recognitions are often accorded to people when they have succeeded in changing their “minds and attitudes” or have had a positive turning point in their lives for a new chapter to move on with new challenges in life. In contrast, when an icon championing a national drive for citizens to change their minds and attitudes towards themselves, others and the state is entangled into a negative turning point and enmeshed in the webs of financial mad-practices, corruption charges and misappropriation of state funds, then, the entire essence for “change in mind and attitude” becomes deceptive and lies and with dubious intentions. In series 16 of Simple Reality of National Development, I mentioned that “change in mind and attitude” was a mere lips service initiative skewed to attracting popularity and social essence. World over, “change in mind and attitude” initiatives come through programs and projects with sustainable intentions not dubious ones. My favorite minister has let me down.

A political icon, highly appreciated by the state and its citizens has ruined the trust and confidence of the president, the state and the international community. The president number one public enemy, which is corruption, has a profound relationship with some top public officials. Tax payers have read and heard enough of corruption charges and allegations in this government. Action plans to discourage and thwart financial mad-practices seem to be very feeble, frail and scrawny to succeed with any serious impact.

The Impacts of Corruption on National Development

It is important for government officials to understand that corruption can suffocate economic growth; reduce economic efficiency and development despite the enormous resources in the country. Corruption creates negative national image and loss of much needed revenue. It devalues the quality of human life, robs schools, agricultural sectors, hospital and welfare of the state. It discourages foreign investments leading to decrease in Foreign Direct investment. It exacerbates inequality, desecrates the rule of law and undermines the legitimacy and stability of democratic regimes. It slows down administrative processes thereby making the implementation of government reforms policies ineffective. People engage in corrupt practices in Liberia and go walk way without any deterrent measures and therefore corruption continues to recycle itself at the disadvantage of the state and its citizens. Poverty is getting higher and civil servants are under-remuneration and financial hardship is strike parents in rural Liberia while few citizens embezzle state funds to benefit themselves. The biggest challenge for the UP led government is not to dismiss or compel corrupt government officials to resigns but to institute stringent measures that would go down to history as it is being down in other nations.

How Do We Feel

Tax payers are viewing corruptions issue as something being made permissible in the Liberia society and the hope for deterrent is invisible.  The general level of corruption prevalent in states institutions need to be assessed and compare with the corruption perception index in West Africa. Liberia in a transition from war and grappling with economic resuscitation and amelioration of standard is being strangulated by government officials that are trusted with public offices. Liberia economy cannot be reformed with the prevalent level of visible corrupt practices in government.

Legitimization of Corruption

The new horizon for corruption is personal salary increment and board approval, as evident in the salary saga at the Nation Port Authority of Liberia.  Liberians are awaiting the justification of such increment. The citizens in West Point, New Kru Town, or other major town in Liberia why should a person of Liberia earn $144,000.00 per annum and 400 gallons of gas when they are living and sleeping in hunger, and darkness. This is unfair and unrealistic to the state and its citizenry. As people of Liberia, we need to rethink our drive for development and progress. I personally feel the good intention of the UP led government for transforming Liberia from the devastation of war; but what is inconceivable is fact that government is profoundly lenient with corrupt officials. Hard precedent must be set to transmit massages of deterrent for the progress of the state. People must understand that their appointments are based on trust, credibility and confidence. These qualities are not trivial and must not be ruined for and reason, especially educated people.

Mohammed Swaray

swaraymas@gmail.com

Credibility Issues In Government

Introduction

The upsurge in disappointment with the public sector’s officials is creating enormous credibility issues in government. Some public officials are overwriting the level of trust and confidence reposed by citizens and the international community in the U.P. led government. The issues range from financial misappropriation to abuse of powers, from incompetency to lack of professional practices. These reckless and irresponsible discharges of functions in state institutions are eroding the level of progress made by this government since 2006. A lot of credibility issues were involved in the LPRC saga, the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank frauds, the Kendeja financial misapplication (involving the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism) and a lot more that the government has dealt with in the past.  Even more disappointing is the fact that most of the people involved in these sagas and frauds are young people that the President trusted both in competence and as career people. Meanwhile, her continuous disappointments are not only frustrating the government but even the very citizens that elected her the U.P. leadership.    A new trend of disappointment coupled with power abuses particularly relating to people center issues are unacceptable and therefore must discontinue

The Chairman of the Board on National Port Authority

The recent threat issued by the National Port Authority (NPA) ) Board chairman to employees in that entity as a result of the unjustifiable salary increase made by the Managing Director. This not only contradictory to the labor ordinance of Liberia, but rather imposed tremendous trauma and mental havoc to NPA employees. In series 27 of Simple Reality of National Development, I attributed bulk of the problems in Africa to acquisition of wealth, (self-aggrandizement), the misuse of power (oligarchy) and the quest for unwarranted social prestige (the inappropriate means of acquiring social status in society). The fact that the Board Chairman issued threat to employees in NPA after the release of information on the salary increment indicates that he consented to all salaries that were increased in the NPA Hierarchy without any relative judgment. The sum of his preemptive threat to workers at NPA was total embracement to best practice in human resources and effective administrative decision making.

The Expression “You are fired”  

I am not sure of the managerial skills and understanding of the Board chairman of the National Port Authority but as a passionate practitioner of Human Resource Management (HRM), the expression “you are fired” or dismissed must never be mentioned in public for any reason. For the purpose of enlightenment, the procedure for firing employees comes through stages of investigation, warning, suspension etc, and any reason should dismissal be certained; it must be done professionally and in conjunction with the labor statutory ordinance of the state. Moreover, firing employees from jobs has its societal stigma; therefore, it must be treated confidentially in closed door because of its impact on people in society.

In a society emerging from economic decimation, where poverty and disease, hunger and suffering are challenging government, what justification could be given to ordinary tax payers for such unimaginable amount of salary for one person. Per annum, excluding benefits, the NPA Managing Director earns $144000.00 (one hundred and forty four thousand dollars). Discussion on such issue, one must be profoundly cautious and meticulous about public interest and sentiment. The fact that NPA Board Chairman sees no challenge with the increment, not even in the nuance of the sum, demonstrates that the roles of NPA Board chairman be rigorously examined as chairman by the Audit Commission, Anti Corruption Commission and civil society organizations. In the eyes of the public, this is a complete legitimization of corruption.  The NPA Board chairman sees it that there is nothing wrong that the Managing Director can do that cannot be perfected by his right as Board chairman. This is not transparency and the salary increment decision is not in the best of Liberia.

Salute the President

A major correction and clarification made by president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was of absolute necessity. Employees at the National Port Authority have been assured of their rights to enjoy working at the Freeport of Monrovia and that no one will be fired as mentioned by the NPA Board chairman. From a managerial perspective, this move by the president has reinstated NPA employees’ confidence in the government, promoted fair and productive workplace relationship, and robustly boasts the trust and energy that was eroded by the NPA Board chairman. Government officials must stop embarrassing the president with her continuous interventions on their behalf with apologies and corrective initiatives on reckless misstates.  

Mr. Board Chairman of NPA

An important component of your function in the public sector is to know and understand the dynamics of the environment in which you are employed. This covers on reading and understanding the employment laws of the labor act that gives a national standards and statutory entitlement to employees. In addition, for the portfolio as Board Chairman on NPA, you must establish a simple, fair and flexible working environment that would rise above selfish interest and public suspicion. Our impression is that it was in good faith that the president appointed you as NPA Board Chairman and it should be in similar good faith that you maintain her confidence and trust by working behaviorally competent. As president, she has corrected on your behalf a technical error you committed by enhancing the self esteem and confidence of the employees at the NPA. Moreover, your frequent use f the word, “confidential” seems to create credibility issues, as though you have not experienced trust in any of your previous workplace. In the main time, be mindful of the word “fire” or “dismiss” in the Liberia society. You are not operating in the vacuum but one amongst equals

Up Next-Chang in Mind and Change in Attitude and the Credibility Issue

Mohammed Swaray

swaraymas@gmail.com

Simple Reality of National Development Series 26

The Dynamics of Evil and Good in Political Societies

Introduction

Franchise is political right that decides the basis for progressive changes in societies. Most governments in Africa, especially in the last 100 years imposed themselves on states’ institutions and perpetrated themselves in political authorities at the detriment of the state and its citizens. The legacies of these oligarchic leaderships on the continent of Africa were as the results of coup d'état, or revolutionary movement, bloody overthrow of legitimate government or rebellious invasion. The products of these anarchical legacies are unquantifiable death tolls, human suffering, hunger, extreme poverty and disease, injustice and impunity, poor governance and the collapse of rule of law. These consequences are further exacerbated by profound economic decimation, social disintegration, institutional collapse and lack of opportunities for self development. Majority of the citizens are denigrated in defaming situations due to self greed for power and wealth in society.

The Dynamics of Evil

Politicians in Africa have endangered the continent with un-necessary competitions for power, wealth and self aggrandizement. They use deceptions and lies to attract popularity that necessitate their prolong stay in authorities. Over and over again, year after years, political agendas for public positions are usually captivating for acceptance during elections, but in effect, citizens are persuasive rubbed to cast their votes (franchise) without realizing that they are supporters of individuals instead of a state. The worst scenario is evident in the Liberian society. An average educated Liberian will enthusiastically cast his votes based on mere affiliations (short term benefits) as oppose to casting his votes in the interest of the state (medium and long term benefits). For over one and half centuries, Liberia has suffered these depressing and heartbreaking political situations. This means that we have always planted the seeds of evils with our hands, which invariably resulted to poor governance and human suffering. The dynamics of these evils stream down to generations with the same messages and out comes years after years.  

The Power of Voters

The dynamics of good in society lies with the understanding that votes (franchise) can profoundly impact on the progress of the state and its citizens. In the case of Liberia, politicians have realized the gullible nature of voters, with or without education. Affiliation such as tribes, faiths, relations, geographic origins, etc or individual financial status in society are valued as essential influences for according public offices that are critical for the development in Liberia. The question I am obliged to ask therefore, is for how long would this continue? The definite answers lie with those that are eligible to cast votes (franchise) in 2011 elections. Liberia has gone through elections and had different governments over two decades with empty progress. The values of our votes explain the extent to which citizens have voices in their government they elected. This defines the nature and quality of democracy existing in such government. As said by the former World Bank President, James Wolfenson in a 1999 Washington Post article “Voices of the Poor”, he emphasized that without public consensus (votes) on development initiatives, one cannot bring about change. In effect, the citizenry should have the ability to analyze problems and provide informed opinion through their votes. Liberians must franchise sustainable development through their votes.

The New threshold of Lies and Deceptions

The ink of my pen will not dry as long as prevarication, deceptions and evils in society continue to exist in Liberia. The newest threshold of lies and deception in Liberia is the hallucination of theocratizing Liberia from a secular state. The visible potential of conflict in such vision is unlimited and anarchical, yet an educated citizen of Liberia is hallucinating on the possibilities of actualizing such agenda. It seems lies and deceptions are exhausted and the only factor usable for a gullible society is to express desire for theocratic Liberia that could possibly give the chance for presidency. The dynamics of good in post conflict Liberia is the fact that Liberians are able to transcend beyond accepting lies and deceptions. Common sense reveals that the entire world is aspiring to consolidate the values of democracy and the principles of good governance, while our knowledgeable and respected politician, Cllr. Charles Brumskine is hallucinating in mediocrity and backwardness. On a very profound note, as citizens of the Liberia and campaigners for the sustenance of democracy in Liberia, theocratizing Liberia will meet stiff and solid resistance in forms.          

Public Enlightenment on 2011 Elections

 In conjunction with other development issues in Liberia, the Simple Reality of National development will focus its public enlightenment activities for the rest of the year on elections. The prospects for voters to impact changes through legitimacy (votes) will feature in most of the series. Liberians can make development a productive reality in the process of nation building as long we think right to get it right. We can not relent in disseminating knowledge that is capable of enhancing development activities in Liberia. The 2007 series of Simple Reality of National development largely focused on sensitization and the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable competitiveness in the development of a state. In 2009, the state government has established a forum that creates the niche of partnership between the public and private sectors to jointly embark on development initiatives through policy formation and applications. The values of enlightenment must not be underestimated and public commentators must not relent in giving their objective opinions on the progress of the Liberia.

Mohammed Swaray

swaraymas@gmail.com

Simple Reality of National Development
President Sirleaf and the “Vision” Criticism

Elections Fever

Perhaps the nearing of 2011 elections seems to minimize the relevance of opposition politics in Liberia. Mush as freedom of speech and movement are evident in post conflict, opposition politicians still blaspheme Liberia to a “failed state” or lack of visionary leadership. A “failed state” is usually characterized by dysfunctionality of a system that gives genuine reasons for multiple competing political factions. This could be due to poor governance, lack of respect for the rules of law, citizens’ basic needs are not being provided. In some cases, when the state does not have a visionary leader, the possibility for participatory democracy, collective decision making, or the capacity to deliver public services would not be possible.

As a write, markets are very functional; roads are effectively used, public and private partnerships are mutually beneficial, the Liberian economic is becoming vibrant and citizens are allowed to participate in the running of the state. The government is remarkably democratizing institutions whereby the people are directly involved in the governance process themselves.

What is the Issue

One of Liberia’s educated councilors; Cllr. Charles Brumskine, from the Liberty Party, in his wisdom and vision for Liberia, has revolved to convert Liberia to a theocratic state and preferably a Christian State, where the organic law of the Liberia (the constitution) would be trashed into dust bins and the Holy Bible would be used to govern the state, Muslims, Christian, and Liberians that do not belong to either faith. In other words, since the president of Liberia has not actualized this vision of Cllr. Charles Brumskine, it invariably means the people’s president-Ellen Johnson Sirleaf lacks the vision to lead Liberia. A simple question therefore to our educated councilor is, could it be possible to have theocratic state in 21^st century Liberia? Or do you hope to see Liberia divided into two or three religious states? Could this be a value of a councillorship or a characteristic of a vision with more division of people? My honest position as a liberal and open-minded Muslim, I feel this is not feasible and educated and patriotic citizens must not be embark on visions that provoke greater devastation. I hold nothing against Cllr. Charles Brumskine, Christianity or faiths of other valuable citizens but I profoundly detest visions that are not developmental and beneficiary to the state. To further dissect with another simple question, who is more visionary? Cllr. Charles Brumskine or President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf? Only the commonest sense can answer such question.

Visionary Leadership

Every Liberian that aspires for leadership position must uphold the values of participatory democracy where the citizens are allowed to meaningfully contribute to the development of their state. This means that Liberia can only be developed by Liberians themselves and that leadership must create the necessary conditions that can facilitate such process. A proactive political leadership creates an economy that is focusing on maintaining a market-oriented and business-friendly environment that attracts and develop talents to boost such economy. The current dispensation promotes sectors that generate higher value for the Liberian economy-including its financial, resources, and more job opportunities for the people. Institutions are being strengthened daily and the rule of law and the process of governance are getting cleaner and efficient, free flow of information and roads are accessible almost across major cities in the country. The energy sector is being revamped and water is in almost every quarter of the capital. Domestic resources are being mobilized to support trade and investment initiatives. The Poverty Reduction Strategy or PRS presents sound economy platform for social and economic transformation. How much more can we speak of a visionary leadership of Liberia. As a public commentator, much as I am critical on development issues in Liberia, rational sense cannot blind my eyes from stating the truth about development and growth in the various sectors of the country

The Value of Education to a Nation

No one can quantify the enormity education has to contribute to the development of Liberia, especially in post conflict situation where every development initiative must start from the beginning. Education must account for professionalism, transparency, discipline and development. Our educated men and women in Liberia must think right to apply their education functionally. They should not capitalize on the vulnerability or limitation of their citizen to exploit them. This is not a conscientious application of education but only detrimental to the state. If our educated men and women will see politics as a medium to reincarnate backwardness of the 20^th century, then it is only the state and its people will confront the challenges with limited solutions. Unless a leader can tolerate mutual coexistence, his or her vision for peace, unity and development remains fragile, incoherent, confused and illogical.

Mohammed Swaray

swaraymas@gmail.com