This is a sponsored story, paid for by the Free Liberia Movement (https://FreeLiberia.org)
TAPPITA, Nimba – A U.S.-based Liberian human rights activist, Torli Krua, has called on the government to begin to honor ordinary senior citizens who have had a significant impact on society.
Krua, the lead campaigner for the Free Liberia Movement, a flagship program of the Universal Human Rights International, frowned on the government for preferring to honor politicians rather than ordinary citizens whose lives have positively impacted society. He spoke on July 13 at a ceremony meant to celebrate the life of his father, Rev. Mahn C. Krua Sr., on his 100th birthday.
Rev. Krua is an Indigenous Liberian who led the team that mobilized resources for constructing the Ziah Mission School in Lower Nimba in 1960. The school became the first learning institution to provide educational opportunities to children in the area.
At his 100th birthday celebration, his friends and family members organized a ceremony to honor him for his contribution to society, including sacrificing to grant opportunities to native Liberians to acquire quality education. Even though he himself did not receive formal education, he was the founding principal and successfully led the school for decades.
His son attributed Liberia’s underdevelopment to the failure to prioritize education and acknowledge honest people. Instead, he said Liberia focuses on foreign aid, foreign investment, and promoting politicians. He said it was a disgrace that family members, rather than the government, honored his father for his selfless work and dedication to developing the minds of citizens, the secret to sustainable development.
In the United States, where he lives, the younger Krua said the City of Boston honored him for his advocacy in seeking equal opportunities for all humans, including undocumented refugees. Boston declared May 10 of every year as Torli Krua Day, something he wants the Liberian government to emulate.
He has, meanwhile, highlighted his push for the rebirth of Liberia, beginning with equal opportunities and U.S. visa waiver for all Liberians because he believes that American slave masters envisioned, designed, and created the current corrupt structure of the country to empower and enrich politicians while trapping the people in poverty to always look up to politicians called ‘honorables.’ He thinks that after 200 years, Liberia will make no progress, regardless of who is elected until the current corrupt structure is abandoned.
Using the U.S. as an example, he said Texas has a very high budget of US$119 billion because it invests in its citizens by providing equal educational opportunities for all. When they acquire education, the citizens become the source of wealth, and the government taxes them to generate revenues for the state.
“It is a tragedy – we don’t have a government of the people; what we have is a blueprint envisioned by slave masters; that’s what we have,” he said.
“If you have somebody like Rev. Mahn C. Krua, who has contributed his whole life and poured his life into the first school for all children in the town of Ziah, should it be only his children coming to honor him today? It is a disgrace for our country, but that’s the kind of country we have; we always honor the politician, aka the ‘honorable.’”
Speaking briefly, the honoree, Rev. Mahn C. Krua, called for the construction of a market in Ziah, one of the leading producers of gari and other agricultural produce in Nimba. He acknowledged the government’s pavement of the Ganta to Tappita road but stressed the importance of maintaining the road linking Glehyee Zorpea in Yarwein Mehnsonnoh District through Ziah to Tappita. He thanked organizers and praised individuals who contributed to its success and those who gave him gifts.
Rev. Mahn C. Krua, alongside Cllr. Gongloe, at his 100th birthday celebration. Photo by Jerry Myers.
Liberia People Party’s political leader, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, who attended the honoring ceremony, also recalled Rev. Krua’s contribution to his life in 2002 when former President Charles Taylor imprisoned him.
Gongloe said Krua’s assistance showed the kind of discipline he has and instilled in his children. Cllr. Gongloe said those who believe in God and act consistent with his commandments live longer; adding Rev Krua living up to 100 years is evidence.
This is a sponsored story, paid for by the Free Liberia Movement (https://FreeLiberia.org). Featured photo by Jerry T. Myers.
