— Gongloe highlights agents of Liberia’s perennial Poverty
Human rights lawyer and former presidential candidate, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has re-echoed the long-standing issues of mismanagement, corruption, and ineffective leadership as key factors contributing to Liberia’s persistent poverty and lack of development.
“Our leaders, past and present, are corrupt, and short-sighted,” Gongloe said when he spoke at an event recently in Monrovia. The event, which was taking a look at or examining factors that are leading to Liberia’s entrenched poverty and perennial backwardness, was held under the theme: “A Call for Transformative Change: Liberia’s Path to Prosperity.”
Cllr. Gongloe highlighted the stark reality that despite Liberia’s vast natural wealth, the nation remains among the poorest in the world.
Reflecting on the governance of President Boakai, Cllr. Gongloe noted that when the president took office, he promised a “Rescue Mission” to transform Liberia. However, he argued that the country remains plagued by economic hardship and stagnation.
“His experience in governance raised hopes for real progress. Yet today, poverty still grips our nation, and it is clear that what we need is not just a change in leadership, but a revolution in governance—one that places the needs of the people above the wants of the few,” Cllr. Gongloe stated.
The Liberia People’s Party (LPP) Standard Bearer emphasized that Liberia’s future depends on bold action, systemic reforms, and a commitment to responsible, people-centered leadership.
“Liberia is rich in resources—gold, diamonds, timber, fertile land, yet these assets have not translated into prosperity for the majority of the people. Why is this case? The answer lies not in resource scarcity but in poor governance, corruption, and the prioritization of personal gain over national development,” he asserted.
Cllr. Gongloe recommended eliminating wasteful government spending as a key step toward national transformation.
“It is unacceptable for government officials to continue enjoying lavish salaries, foreign travel, and excessive state functions while the majority of Liberians struggle to access basic services,” he lamented.
He called for redirecting public funds toward critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture, arguing that these investments would lay the foundation for sustainable development.
Cllr. Gongloe cited examples of African nations that have successfully prioritized good governance and economic growth despite having fewer resources than Liberia.
“Look at Botswana, Rwanda, and Mauritius countries that have managed to build thriving economies through human development, transparency, and wise resource management. If they can do it, so can we. Liberia has the resources and the potential; what we lack is leadership that prioritizes the needs of the people over political interests,” he concluded.
