By: Julius Konton
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has call on all Liberians to see the rebranding Liberia now as a national imperative.
He said while his government recognizes some historical shortcomings, collectively
Liberians must also take responsibility for shaping the nation’s future.
” I genuinely believe that Liberia can be rebranded especially with strong leadership and a people focused vision, we can create a country that embodies what we aspire to be as a nation”, he re-emphasized.
He indicated further that as national leaders are beginning to see change; Liberia was overwhelmingly elected to the Security Council; adding that Liberia’s independence celebration this year went global, hailing the Liberian diaspora worldwide and other key actors for making sure such dream now becomes a reality.
“These are just a few of the refreshing moments of renewal for our country this year noting that collectively Liberia has to restore its waning glory in the global community, he said.
President Boakai also told the gathering that at home, his Government is taking steps to address the complex social and economic conditions his administration’s inherited.
He informed them further that through the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, his administration are focused on six critical pillars that will promote development, namely; Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, Tourism, and Technology.
According to him, The agenda is a response not only to current challenges but also aligns with the National Vision 2030 to transform Liberia into a lower middle-income country and build a capable, inclusive state.
The Liberian leader reassured the Diaspora Liberia his that his government is committed to is improving livelihoods and ensuring that every Liberian, both at home and abroad, can share in the growth and progress that the reform agenda and national development plan will bring.
“Already, we have seen substantial progress in several areas, including healthcare, education, road and infrastructure development, agriculture, and sanitation, at the same time, Progress he stated has also been made in governance, the rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts.
Despite these efforts, we acknowledge that challenges remain and that more should be done, and quickly, too, he noted.
Highlighting key areas of national reform, President Boakai named governance reform, economic transformation, social inclusion and reconciliation as vital to the forward march of the Country, reminding them that Liberia’s greatest efforts must be to overcome and not to come over to greener pastures.
Speaking about governance reform, he disclosed that the crises Liberia faces today are deeply rooted in governance.
It does not take much for an observer of Liberian society to see that many of the country’s problems are fundamentally linked to governance”, he re-emphasized.
According to him, Governance should no longer be a privilege for a select few, but a responsibility for everyone.
He stressed that the days of benevolent leadership are gone where a small number of people unjustly and personally use the institutions of the state to amass and control wealth at the expense of the majority in society.
President Boakai rally Diaspora Liberians to see the need to continue to embark on reforms that give voice and power to citizens in all counties and communities.
“And we must move beyond Monrovia focused decision making and embrace decentralized, participatory governance adding that this is why his administration is committed to fast tracking constitutional reforms including decentralization, local government empowerment, and improved service delivery”, he added.
Speaking about Good governance , President Boakai stated that it requires accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law.
Good Governance he stated must lead to a strong, capable state that serves all its people without discrimination or favoritism.
As part of said drive, he informed the gathering that his government Instituted the Performance Management and Compliance System which underscores the Government of Liberia’s commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and performance excellence in public service.
The Liberian leader wants a robust economic transformation one that will impact the lives directly of the people especially so with over a third of the population living in poverty and a long history of rural neglect despite abundant resources.
He calls for a major rethinking of how the Country do business including organizing the society.
“Our economy must be inclusive and work for everyone, Liberia remains a predominantly agricultural society with vast natural resources. Yet, our development model has historically prioritized commodity extraction over inclusive growth, We need to reconsider the concession regime and focus on adding value, promoting local ownership, and investing in agriculture, where the majority of our people especially women and youth are actively engaged”, he added.
President Boakai said now is the time to replace growth without development with growth that delivers development.
He said the irony is that while commodity extraction has supported the economy over the years and contributed to increased growth, such growth has been unequal because the nation have not reinvested profits in development to benefit the majority of our people stating that by reinvesting revenue into infrastructure, health, education, and job creation, Liberia can reduce poverty and build a more equitable society.
Speaking about Social Inclusion and National Reconciliation, he said Inequality in Liberia is not just economic it is social, historical, and structural.
He historicized that from settler indigenous divisions to ethnic favoritism and generational exclusion, these cleavages have long undermined national unity.
“Our system, as it were, has contributed in a way to many of the inequalities in the country, thus depriving many of our people of a voice in their own affairs and of the opportunities for a better and dignified livelihood. We must confront them honestly and dismantle them systematically”, he added.
According to him, Overlooking impurity and expecting peaceful co-existence is like plaiting hair without first picking the louse.
Additionally he pointed out that his Government is committed to promoting peace and reconciliation.
“Since peace was restored in 2003, we have been on a long and difficult journey to rebuild ourselves, to restore broken trust, to reconnect detached communities, and to define, or better yet, redefine our identity”, he said.
He wants Liberians to come together, confront the difficult past, and begin to build a future rooted in truth, justice, and compassion.
President Boakai stressed that for too long, many citizens have carried their pain in silence, with little space for dialogue or closure but now is the time that his government is embarking on a journey of justice reconciliation, not just for the atrocities and violence during the war, but equally for historical wrongs adding that by acknowledging the past together, Liberia begin the journey of national restoration together.
“As the diaspora community, you must lend your voice to reconciliation and national healing, just as you participated in the TRC process. We may build the infrastructure and the superstructures, but without true reconciliation and healing, all those will come crashing down under the weight of divisions and conflicts”, he noted.
