Liberia’s political landscape has undergone significant upheaval in recent years, revealing deep-seated issues that hinder the nation’s progress.
By: Austin S Fallah, contributing writer
The sentiment among the populace, particularly the young people, often reflects a grim reality: “Oh, or yes, at least he or she did well. “
However, this attitude fails to address the critical mismanagement of resources that characterizes much of Liberia’s governance.
Too often, the politics of popularity and immediate gratification (That his or her time) overshadow the long-term vision necessary for sustainable social and economic development.
I will argue that to foster genuine growth in Liberia, it is imperative to recognize that government is not merely the sum of its leaders or political parties but a continuity of public service aimed at the collective good.
This understanding will shift the focus from individual accolades to national progress, ensuring that Liberia’s vast resources, such as gold and diamonds, translate into tangible benefits for all its citizens.
Let us look at the historical context of governance in Liberia:
To appreciate Liberia’s current governance landscape, one must consider its tumultuous history.
The aftermath of civil wars, political instability, and economic mismanagement has left a lingering impact on the nation’s psyche.
Post-war leaders, equipped with lofty promises and visions, often ride the wave of populism, seeking immediate approval from the masses rather than instituting policies that ensure long-lasting stability.
This short-sighted approach to leadership fosters a culture of dependency on charismatic figures rather than a robust system of governance.
Consequently, the developmental efforts become disjointed and unsustainable.
Liberia’s wealth in natural resources, including gold and diamonds, is a double-edged sword.
While these resources have the potential to contribute significantly to national wealth, as we are seeing in recent events in Africa, the historical context reveals a narrative in which such natural wealth often leads to strife due to mismanagement and corruption.
The government’s inability to effectively administer these resources while providing for the populace emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in governance.
Liberia as a nation cannot boast or show any reserve of these resources in the volt at the Central Bank of Liberia that could benefit current Liberians and future generations.
All we see is the exploitation of foreign investors to the nation’s detriment, leaving behind continuing poverty and peanuts called fees or tax payments.
We saw and continue to see, for almost 100 years, the exploitation of our natural rubber without any tangible and heartfelt results from foreign exploitation.
It is time for critical-thinking, industrial-minded, and true nationalist Liberians to be placed in positions of national trust, not seat warmers with no critical thinking skills for the common good.
Now is the Time for Liberia to make significant changes and progress in the middle half of the first half of the 21st century.
The issue of diamonds and gold, which have benefitted many nations on the African continent and other nations worldwide, must claim the attention of every well-meaning Liberia.
The remaining part of this article discusses the importance of diamonds and goals discussed in almost every way, including reserving them.
The Politics of Popularity:
The desire for popularity among political leaders has engendered a culture where immediate political gains are prioritized over substantive policy decisions.
Politicians tend to focus on initiatives that yield quick results and visible impacts, often motivated by the desire to please constituents in the short term while neglecting the foundational work necessary for long-term development.
The “wave of the moment” nature of politics in Liberia promotes a cycle of mediocrity, as leaders become more concerned with flattering public sentiment than with executing meaningful projects that could foster enduring progress.
For example, a leader may initiate a flashy infrastructure project that captures public attention and generates immediate applause.
However, without a strategic approach to maintenance, funding, and integration into a broader economic plan, such projects often disrepair soon after completion.
The public, dazzled by the initial spectacle, fails to recognize the lack of continuity in governance and the essential ideological shift necessary for effective development.
This ephemeral attention to popularity detracts from the ongoing responsibility of governance: to serve the people in sustainable and equitable ways.
In Liberia, this often means neglecting the importance of transparency, accountability, and proper resource management—elements that must undergird any successful governance model.
Looking at Government as Continuity:
Understanding the concept of government as continuity is essential for addressing Liberia’s development challenges.
The government should not be viewed merely as a political entity subject to the whims of individual leaders or parties but rather as an enduring institution dedicated to the welfare of its citizens.
This distinction is crucial for fostering a national identity emphasizing collective responsibility over individual accolades.
When leaders and citizens embrace the idea of government as a continuum, it becomes easier to appreciate that development is not an individual achievement but a communal/national endeavor.
No single leader can claim credit for the advancements made.
Instead, such progress stems from the collective efforts of various administrations and the civic engagement of the populace over time.
Recognizing this interconnectedness can encourage a greater sense of responsibility among leaders and citizens, fostering an environment where strategic planning and sustainable resource management are prioritized.
For instance, Liberia’s wealth in natural resources, including gold and diamonds, should not merely serve as commodities for exportation.
Instead, a systematic approach must be taken to maximize their benefits for national development.
This requires a comprehensive resource management strategy rooted in transparency and inclusiveness, where citizens feel empowered to hold their leaders accountable.
Furthermore, durability in governance encourages long-term perspectives in national projects.
Political leaders should embrace the notion that continuity will entail prioritizing policies that contribute to sustainable development, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements that can withstand the test of time regardless of who occupies political office.
Economic Implications of Resource Mismanagement:
Resource mismanagement in Liberia has dire economic implications that reverberate through every stratum of society.
Despite years of exporting gold, diamonds, and other resources, a significant concern is that the nation lacks substantial reserves, revealing a stark disconnect between extraction and resource management.
Poorly managed revenues from resource extraction stifle investment in infrastructural projects, social services, and economic diversification.
Effective governance demands a shift from viewing natural resources through a lens of individual enrichment to seeing them as communal assets meant to uplift society.
Sustainable practices, accountability in resource management, and strategic planning must replace transient political gains to promote actual economic development.
By fostering an environment where revenues are reinvested into the nation’s core sectors, Liberia can become a nation boasting abundant resources that translate that wealth into improved living standards for its citizens.
The absence of accountability leads to a cycle of corruption and negligence that detaches leaders from the people they are meant to serve.
To break this cycle, leaders must commit to a transparent and inclusive system of governance that acknowledges the importance of citizen participation in decision-making.
Through participatory governance, citizens can have a voice in allocating resources, ensuring that the benefits of Liberia’s wealth are equitably distributed.
A Vision for a New Resourceful Liberia:
Imagining a New Resurcesful Liberia involves reorienting how leadership, governance, and the relationship between citizens and government are perceived.
It necessitates a collective rethinking of the political culture away from personality-driven narratives and toward a model focused on civic engagement and responsibility.
This vision for New Resourceful Liberia begins with education.
Instilling a sense of civic responsibility in young people, promoting awareness of governance structures, and cultivating critical thinking about the role of resources in nation-building.
Creating educational programs that engage students in discussions around governance, sustainable development, and resource management will encourage a generation of leaders who prioritize continuity over popularity.
Moreover, establishing long-term development planning frameworks that transcend electoral cycles will foster stability and progress.
To ensure representational equity, these frameworks should include input from diverse stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the Liberian private sector, young people, chiefs, elders, women, and the general populace.
When citizens feel invested in their country’s developmental trajectory, they are more likely to hold their leaders accountable and demand transparency.
This broader engagement will require shifting the narrative surrounding leadership accolades.
The focus should be on collective achievements rather than individual triumphs.
When leaders recognize that their administration’s success is anchored in their predecessors’ contributions and future leaders’ continuing efforts, they will be more inclined to act in the nation’s best interest.
To summarize, for the good and healthy consumption of every Liberian, Liberia’s path to sustainable development is fraught with challenges rooted in its political culture and historical context.
The politics of popularity, short-term thinking, and resource mismanagement have stymied progress and hindered the nation’s potential.
However, by embracing the concept of government as continuity and channels for civic participation, Liberia can create a new political landscape that emphasizes the collective good over individual accolades.
Liberians need to foster a national ethos prioritizing long-term stability and governance accountability.
The nation stands at a crossroads where it can redefine its future and ensure that the wealth from its natural resources benefits all citizens.
By shifting the narrative from individual credit to national achievement, Liberia can build an inclusive society that champions sustainable development for future generations.
Now is the time to invest in a Liberia where every citizen feels empowered to contribute to their nation’s success, a Liberia that embodies the spirit of unity and collective growth.
