Liberia: A Nation On The Brink Of Disaster!

Despite celebrating its 167th year as an independent nation on July 26,

2014, The Republic of Liberia is facing ALL of the challenges of an
underdeveloped Third World country. There are several reasons for this
overwhelming sense of despondency on display by citizens and other
inhabitants. Even onlookers from the international community are shocked and
surprised by the socio-economic inadequacies which have been brought to light
in the face of an EBOLA outbreak. The current outbreak is far greater than any
the world has experienced since the disease was discovered in The Republic of
Congo (Zaire) in 1976. The crisis has laid bare the frailties of a seriously flawed
healthcare system and unraveled a political system with underpinnings of alleged
rampant corruption and a lack of strategic or decisive responsiveness on the part
of its leadership.

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 The administration of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been accused
of acute cronyism and nepotism which have resulted in malfeasance and self-
aggrandizement by entrenched political actors charged with managing the fiscal
affairs of the country. From Ministers to Agency Directors, the Liberian Anti-
Corruption Commission (LACC) has brought corruption charges against several
past and current government officials. The accused have been reported to the
Ministry of Justice for investigation / prosecution. According to LACC Vice
Chairman (Counselor Augustine Toe) many of these cases have been submitted
to The Ministry of Justice for prosecution but are still on the docket pending
proper disposition.

The onset of the EBOLA outbreak coupled with allegations of a lack of

vision and an ethical vacuum on the part of the current political leadership, have
pushed the citizens in this poor African nation to question their leaders’ vision for
a better tomorrow. Some Liberians in the Diaspora have begun to ring the bell
demanding the resignation of the country’s first female President. The
atmosphere in the country has become toxic and conversations in social media
have accordingly become caustic. Some have chosen to abandon civility in their
demand for drastic, immediate and radical changes in the county’s current,
elected administration.

They feel that a change in the Presidency will change the short and long-
term destiny of a people beleaguered by a deadly disease and crippled by the
apparent lack of fortitude and honesty of their leaders. This perception of a lack
of commitment on the part of some of the country’s public officials was tested
recently when President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf demanded that all appointed civil
servants without proper permission / assignment return to the country at such a
critical juncture in the country’s history. Dismissals following the President’s call
are a testament to some government officials’ call to duty or unwillingness to
make sacrifices for their country.

All of these issues are only symptoms of a more disturbing situation. The
Republic of Liberia appears to be in serious need of committed, qualified and
visionary people who are willing to make the kinds of sacrifice that will allow this
struggling nation to experience the kind of re-development that will restore hope,
peace and tranquility. It is sad and quite disheartening to see how far this country
which once served as a beacon of hope, democracy and prosperity on the
African continent has fallen.

It is quite obvious that the nation is still struggling to get a grip on how
various arms of government should operate. There are glaring gaps in the chain
of responsibility which appear to discolor and distort the placement for
accountability. This unfortunate chink in the administration’s armor was exposed
when confirmed reports showed that the Ministry of Health was not taking charge
of coordinating the collection of bodies left in open public places with the Ministry
of Transportation along with other agencies. While only those involved in the

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decision-making process within the administration can confirm if there was a
logically established reporting structure in place, the general public was forced to
live with panic and uncertainty as they watched family members lay dying or
dead and abandoned.

Will a change in the Presidency result in an immediate return to

prosperity? It is seriously doubtful! Abandoning ship in the middle of this fight
against a killer disease is neither the smartest nor the most appropriate way to
handle the country’s dilemma.

Having said that, it is important to state that the people should be given a
chance to review and deliver justice in accordance with the country’s constitution.
To do so, it will be necessary to establish the proper policies, legislation and
statutes which will empower future administrations to review and act in line with
the country’s constitution to identify and prosecute those who by their actions or
inaction have brought pain and undue suffering to the people of Liberia. Where
appropriate or necessary, the citizens can seek redress beyond its borders
through the recently established African Human Rights Court.

Some issues are significantly more prominent and important than others
and require immediate attention. There is a strong need to adjust, augment,
change and enhance the culture and value system of the people all the while
ensuring to preserve, protect and promote a positive Liberian culture as
mandated by Articles 5 (b) & (c) of The Liberian Constitution.

No woman/man should be considered an institution. Therefore a properly

designed system of governance in both the public & private sectors will empower
the country to operate without undue duress in the event of a "personality
malfunction". No one person should be allowed to destroy or derail the people's
march toward progress.

Liberians have to accept and embrace the challenges ahead. It will be

futile to expect to have any immediate impact on re-development efforts in this
nation once labeled as a “failed state" in 2003 by Dr. Susan E. Rice in her role as
Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution. The Republic of
Liberia was again labeled a “failed state" by Foreign Policy Magazine in 2012.
Nonetheless, it is never too late to develop an agenda which will address all of
the misgivings of past and present administrations. They should all be properly
investigated and if members of any administration are found guilty of having
usurped development of the country for the benefit of the people, they should be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Right now, all of the nation’s resources (domestic and international)

should be focused on combating the deadly EBOLA virus and returning the
country to a state of peace and renewed health. ALL other matters are trivial.
Potential political rivals should wait until there is a healthy, secure and fiscally

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sound socio-economic situation on the ground. This will encourage the citizenry
to subscribe to a more optimistic view for the future.

Liberians should work “TOGETHER” by donating their resources (ideas,

financial & human capital, influence and voices) to maintain a clarion call for
continued assistance from the world community to save souls and bring faith &
hope back to the people. Promoting “division” will destroy an already struggling
nation and literally bring it to its knees. By presenting a “United Front” Liberians
will give the world cause to pause and reconsider the plight of a people
determined to be good global citizens.

Personal & professional differences can be addressed when the nation is

back on even keel, a fully functioning country capable of providing, food, clothing
and shelter for its citizens. Any allegations of corruption, fraud, misappropriation,
malfeasance, treason or crimes against humanity should be left to a duly elected
administration which will assume office at the next election.

The country should

create new policies and
legal stipulations which
require ALL government
officials (Senators,
Representatives, the
President and his/her
cabinet, Agency Directors,
etc.) to submit their
passports and all travel
documents to a “Joint
Commission” between the
Ministry of Justice and The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These documents should
be provided to the new
government at the end of
each departing
administration’s term of
office.

This will ensure that those responsible for managing the affairs of the
people are available to respond to subpoenas and / or assist the new
administration with its efforts to conduct proper reviews into the roles which
elected and appointed officials played in executing their responsibilities in the
previous administration. Mandatory travel restrictions should be in place for the
first year after leaving office. Any extension of said restriction should be reviewed
on a person-by-person basis to ensure that no individual’s rights are violated
while ensuring that the public interest is being served.

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 The best way to show faith in Liberia’s ability to strive for a better, more
rewarding and fulfilling future is to “Rock The Ballot”. VOTE!

The African Development Bank and The World Health Organization

recently stepped into the breach to help poor countries fighting the EBOLA
outbreak with a sixty million dollar ($60 M) financial assistance program. This
move is intended to stave off what could otherwise be a major game changer to
The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) and the global
community. Recipient nations should use this grant for the intended purpose and
be required to provide full and complete accounting of how the funds were
applied.

Meanwhile the Liberian people should work diligently to establish better

plans which will yield more efficient and cohesive results. These initiatives can be
better achieved through closely monitored programs coordinated with the efforts
of The African Development Bank (ADB), The World Health Organization (WHO),
The Center for Disease (CDC), Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans
Frontières and other local & international AID organizations.

Bottom Line: Unity is the best way forward! This is a “CALL TO ACTION”!

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our
manners.”
~ Author Unknown

Submitted by: Preston Williams III

A researcher & published author, Preston Williams III is a pioneer & futurist
with 20+ years of Big 4, Fortune 500, Global 100 and entrepreneurial
experience: Senior Auditor with Price Waterhouse, Controller for Lynn-Phill, IT
Consultant with McGladrey & Pullen & Andersen Consulting, Project Executive
at IBM® Global Services. First Product Manager for Global Data Collection
with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and first Chief Information Officer (CIO) at
Langston University. Preston is Founder, Senior Partner & Chief Information Officer (CIO) at
GBC® Global Services.

September 7, 2014

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