Either you have democracy or you do not. Do not pretend to exercise it if you do not believe in it. It is 2010, and blood is still being shed in West Africa because of elections. What they do over in East Africa is another matter, but here in West Africa we are ashamed today.
If you cannot stand losing an election, then do not run, it is as simple as that.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Do not look back!
Who did what when and why. We love to discuss these things on end. Just take a look at the popular Liberian forums around, visit the Chai shops. What a complete waste of time. What happened in the past happened. It is nothing we can change, or do anything about. Let us focus on what we can influence, the future.
Wake up and smell the coffee, we live in a land of endless opportunity, but we focus on the unimportant, the trivial. We still sit on the dock waiting for a ship that might come by.
Wake up and smell the coffee, we live in a land of endless opportunity, but we focus on the unimportant, the trivial. We still sit on the dock waiting for a ship that might come by.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Debate this!
Our president decided to send her cabinet on administrative leave the other day, in order for those affected to contemplate wether or not they were willing to give their all during the final year of this administration. What she said in effect was "If you want to continue, let me know. If not, let me know."
There is nothing to debate, but we just love politics and discussing these things. Let our president do her job. Discuss how Liberia would become the shining star of West Africa. Discuss how you could contribute to this. Do something meaningful with your time.
There is nothing to debate, but we just love politics and discussing these things. Let our president do her job. Discuss how Liberia would become the shining star of West Africa. Discuss how you could contribute to this. Do something meaningful with your time.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
What scares me most...
Our people are quick to forget.
Some of them never forget.
A suit and tie can fool most people.
A lie does not become true because the person is wearing a suit.
Our belief in the supernatural.
Our belief in the short term.
Our inability to act as one people.
Our inability to act responsible.
Some of our so called leaders greed for power.
Our tribalistic shortcomings.
Some of them never forget.
A suit and tie can fool most people.
A lie does not become true because the person is wearing a suit.
Our belief in the supernatural.
Our belief in the short term.
Our inability to act as one people.
Our inability to act responsible.
Some of our so called leaders greed for power.
Our tribalistic shortcomings.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Whats wrong with Liberian business
I came across this snipet of an interview i a Liberian Quarterly Magazine called "Business Liberia Magazine" that pretty much sums up my thoughts. I know very well who he is, but he pretty much hits the nail right on the head.
Read more here
Read more here
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Unemployment challenges facing the country
As a country where we have never had a middle class, let alone a producing middle class as in all other countries, this is a tough one. We import the lion’s share of our fresh produce from Guinea; we do not grow it ourselves. Most of our people have for various reasons flocked to Monrovia in search of livelihoods. Most academics here have studied here and abroad with one purpose, to land jobs in government or international organisations.
These are, as you know generalisations, that of course have many exceptions all around us, but in general this is the picture. What is missing here is the entrepreneur. It is hard to find entrepreneurs among people who have studied law, political science and accounting. Sure, we have businessmen/women, but in reality these are traders. Here I mean the Lebanese, the Indian, the Fulani, the marketwomen, the wheelbarrow boys. They import or buy wholesale, and sell wholesale/retail. There is no value added.
What we are missing is a group that invest and risk capital on projects that use local produce/raw materials and produce products for the domestic or international market. The first that comes to mind is the food processing industry. The farming industry is also neglected.
Sure, there have been numerous concession agreements signed. This is positive, but still the jobs created thus far have been marginal. What we need are large scale, labour intensive industries that produce what we need here.
Enough said, but the morale of the story is study business, come home and invest in your ideas for the good of the nation.
These are, as you know generalisations, that of course have many exceptions all around us, but in general this is the picture. What is missing here is the entrepreneur. It is hard to find entrepreneurs among people who have studied law, political science and accounting. Sure, we have businessmen/women, but in reality these are traders. Here I mean the Lebanese, the Indian, the Fulani, the marketwomen, the wheelbarrow boys. They import or buy wholesale, and sell wholesale/retail. There is no value added.
What we are missing is a group that invest and risk capital on projects that use local produce/raw materials and produce products for the domestic or international market. The first that comes to mind is the food processing industry. The farming industry is also neglected.
Sure, there have been numerous concession agreements signed. This is positive, but still the jobs created thus far have been marginal. What we need are large scale, labour intensive industries that produce what we need here.
Enough said, but the morale of the story is study business, come home and invest in your ideas for the good of the nation.
Momentary lapse of reason
To all my people out there, the time has come to appraise our lives up to this point, and decide the nature of our future. Let it be known that only we can promote our own destiny, anything else is a myth. The future is in our hands so it is up to us what to do with it.
On that positive note, I would like to appeal to my fellow countrymen/women to desist from giving up this power to imaginary forces. Look back in retrospect and check who you voted into legislature. What have they done for you lately? That bag of rice or promise of one for a vote for them is long gone now. While they are amassing wealth in their dubious ways, and planning how they can take you for a ride come the next elections, it is up to you to think of Liberias future. Find someone you can trust and petition them to represent you. In fact, why should you not be able to step up to the plate yourself. The opportunity is there, so seize it! That is what democracy is about. God had nothing to do with it.
On that positive note, I would like to appeal to my fellow countrymen/women to desist from giving up this power to imaginary forces. Look back in retrospect and check who you voted into legislature. What have they done for you lately? That bag of rice or promise of one for a vote for them is long gone now. While they are amassing wealth in their dubious ways, and planning how they can take you for a ride come the next elections, it is up to you to think of Liberias future. Find someone you can trust and petition them to represent you. In fact, why should you not be able to step up to the plate yourself. The opportunity is there, so seize it! That is what democracy is about. God had nothing to do with it.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Land mites
Despite the generous allocation our general assembly receives from the National Budget, our dishonourable men and women find it always worth their while extorting those around them. The rackets range from begging for fuel oil, per diem, bags of rice, signatures of approval, crushed rocks, water. The targets are usually ministries, the Lebanese and all the above.
Just how greedy can you get. One man alone cannot eat a whole goat, let alone a pot of rice. Oh my people, where is the sanity?
Has it ever existed? Naw, man! This has always been the norm and it just gets worse. Please remember this when you are about to vote in the next JACKASS into legislature.
Just how greedy can you get. One man alone cannot eat a whole goat, let alone a pot of rice. Oh my people, where is the sanity?
Has it ever existed? Naw, man! This has always been the norm and it just gets worse. Please remember this when you are about to vote in the next JACKASS into legislature.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Pure and utter bull
Accusations and counter-accusations hail the office of the General Auditing Commission. To top it all, National Security attempted to arrest its spokesperson for making accusatory remarks against the office of the president. I mean come on. How childish is that? And like the guy points out in his statement, how come those accused of corruption are not the ones being arrested and threatened?
Grow up minister Fombah.
Grow up minister Fombah.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Musical chairs
I just have to laugh. Ha, ha, ha. Our "honorable" lawmakers are now playing political musical chairs. Recently, one who changed parties a while ago has changed again. Is it jitters before the match that are showing or are there serious changes in policy. Well this is Liberia, whatever party you belong to merely says who you know and who you hang out with. Nothing else. Ideology, especially the political kind, does not exist in our country. The only thing that matters is hanging on as long as possible. What a pity
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The shit has finally hit the fan!
"Please declare your assets."
This is the phrase that has our legislature screaming FOUL. All focus on the messenger, forget about the message. Seriously lawmakers, what is wrong with declaring what you own. Are you afraid of the Liberian people or what? There is nothing strange about this. It is not like you are being asked to shed light on you sexual preferenses or the color of your underware. You are just being asked to declare you financial standing. What do you own and what do you owe. THATS ALL.
OK, now I understand. You fear that those that voted for you will find out how well off you are an the typical Liberian envy will prevail? No. Then explain it to me.
sumo_pipe@hotmail.com
This is the phrase that has our legislature screaming FOUL. All focus on the messenger, forget about the message. Seriously lawmakers, what is wrong with declaring what you own. Are you afraid of the Liberian people or what? There is nothing strange about this. It is not like you are being asked to shed light on you sexual preferenses or the color of your underware. You are just being asked to declare you financial standing. What do you own and what do you owe. THATS ALL.
OK, now I understand. You fear that those that voted for you will find out how well off you are an the typical Liberian envy will prevail? No. Then explain it to me.
sumo_pipe@hotmail.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
When you scratch it, it will smell
Yes. Check the roaches crawling out of the woodwork now. Everybody is endorsing everyone else, but yet no one stands out. Some of our so called political parties (I would rather call them networks of friends) are having trouble with their own mini democracy. It is just that the democracy is what is missing. Conventions are held, primaries held, vetos laid out. I mean some of them cannot even agree in a democratic manner over who to send to the polls.
Well, time alone will tell. As a lawmaker, I would not worry too much about who joins the house, but rather about my own ass. The frequency of death in both houses is alarmingly high when compared to the public in average. But then again, thats Liberia.
Well, time alone will tell. As a lawmaker, I would not worry too much about who joins the house, but rather about my own ass. The frequency of death in both houses is alarmingly high when compared to the public in average. But then again, thats Liberia.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Gbarnga in darkness again after 35 days
I have to chuckle here in my slumber, because this is so very Liberian that it almost hurts. It i very common practice in our small country to "fix" things ahead of national and foreign dignitaries.
If it wasn´t for the occasional visit from abroad, the houses along the road from the airport in to town wouldn´t be painted/whitewashed. Now as the case in Gbarnga, pretty much preparation was done ahead of the July 26th festivities there. Now 35 days later, there is no more fuel to run the generator for the street lights.
In the true Liberian way, does anyone care? Not really, because as long as no official is on the way there, nothing will be done about it.
In a way, this mentality reminds me of the old Western movies, where you see a whole town along a high street, but if you enter any of the buildings, you will only find that everything is a prop.
If it wasn´t for the occasional visit from abroad, the houses along the road from the airport in to town wouldn´t be painted/whitewashed. Now as the case in Gbarnga, pretty much preparation was done ahead of the July 26th festivities there. Now 35 days later, there is no more fuel to run the generator for the street lights.
In the true Liberian way, does anyone care? Not really, because as long as no official is on the way there, nothing will be done about it.
In a way, this mentality reminds me of the old Western movies, where you see a whole town along a high street, but if you enter any of the buildings, you will only find that everything is a prop.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
One step ahead, four steps back
"Let justice be done to all" is now inscripted on the walls of the Liberian Temple of Justice. The same sign used to say something else before, that only implied half of the population. This is this step forward I was refering to.
Today, our so-called honourable House of Representatives expelled from chambers, Deputy Finance Minister for Revenue, Elfreda Tamba for not being properly dressed. The minister was wearing trousers, and for this she was expelled. Can you believe it? But then again, are we surprised?
Today, our so-called honourable House of Representatives expelled from chambers, Deputy Finance Minister for Revenue, Elfreda Tamba for not being properly dressed. The minister was wearing trousers, and for this she was expelled. Can you believe it? But then again, are we surprised?
Friday, May 08, 2009
What a mess
Oh yes, what a mess, I must confess. Our new head of senate has struck a journalist for asking uncomfortable questions. Seriously, if you are going to mess up, at least stand up for what you have done. Do not try to hide behind some false sense of authority. There is a small reminder of the century old "do you know who I am?" mentality. Please sir, this is afterall 2009. We are serfs no more. You may not know it but we are all equal. At least try to act equal.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Great god will come down from the sky...
...take away every thing and make everybody feel high.
Again, attitude, and now that I am started, let me just touch the god issue. I don´t think that there is a more religious country than Liberia. Every second person is a reverend somewhere. Taking into account of what we have been through, this understandable. But is it sustainable? Putting our blind trust in our gods to provide. Will they clean our streets? Will they start private companies to provide jobs for the masses? Will they give us food to eat? These and other questions on this issue have been on the agenda since the first missionaries arrived on our shores. We have had foreigners come here and tell us that we need to accept their gods and everything will be fine. Do not worry, my god will provide.
To me, this religious attitude is one of the main brakes of our developement. It makes our people very passive, reluctant to take their destinys into their own hands. I am not saying that everyone is like this, but a majority is certainly there. Those who do not leave everything to a god, but try to work hard to improve their lives are looked upon with extreme envy. We even pray to these same gods that those who are doing well should fail, because we do not have the solidarity there to wish them well. This has to change now. Look beyond your own selfish ambitions. If you have to go to worship something, use that time to try to come together a one community and act as one.
Again, attitude, and now that I am started, let me just touch the god issue. I don´t think that there is a more religious country than Liberia. Every second person is a reverend somewhere. Taking into account of what we have been through, this understandable. But is it sustainable? Putting our blind trust in our gods to provide. Will they clean our streets? Will they start private companies to provide jobs for the masses? Will they give us food to eat? These and other questions on this issue have been on the agenda since the first missionaries arrived on our shores. We have had foreigners come here and tell us that we need to accept their gods and everything will be fine. Do not worry, my god will provide.
To me, this religious attitude is one of the main brakes of our developement. It makes our people very passive, reluctant to take their destinys into their own hands. I am not saying that everyone is like this, but a majority is certainly there. Those who do not leave everything to a god, but try to work hard to improve their lives are looked upon with extreme envy. We even pray to these same gods that those who are doing well should fail, because we do not have the solidarity there to wish them well. This has to change now. Look beyond your own selfish ambitions. If you have to go to worship something, use that time to try to come together a one community and act as one.
Attitude
In my last posting, I was very negative, for all the right reasons mind you. During the last few days these thoughts have been going through my mind, and I more and more feel that the problem with Liberia is one of attitude. How do we change this? Not an easy task, but once we are aware of the problem, there might be a remedy.
We have a very carefree attitude to our own environment. We throw things (anything) over our shoulders and hope that somehow they disappear. When they don´t, but build up into huge piles of debris all over the place, smelling up our neighborhood, we rather get used to the scent than to do anything to get rid of it. We say that it is the governments job (read City Council) to clean up the mess, so we keep throwing things in the street in that same old carefree way.
Along comes the new mayor, with her clean the city task force. What happens? We gather around with hundreds of others who happen to see them working and watch, preferably with our arms crossed. ANYWHERE ELSE, everyone in that community would have pitched in and taken part, but not in Liberia. No way.
Typical excuses:
• Nobody is going to pay me.
• I don´t want to make my shoes dirty
• I have somewhere to be
• I don´t throw dirt into the streets
We have a very carefree attitude to our own environment. We throw things (anything) over our shoulders and hope that somehow they disappear. When they don´t, but build up into huge piles of debris all over the place, smelling up our neighborhood, we rather get used to the scent than to do anything to get rid of it. We say that it is the governments job (read City Council) to clean up the mess, so we keep throwing things in the street in that same old carefree way.
Along comes the new mayor, with her clean the city task force. What happens? We gather around with hundreds of others who happen to see them working and watch, preferably with our arms crossed. ANYWHERE ELSE, everyone in that community would have pitched in and taken part, but not in Liberia. No way.
Typical excuses:
• Nobody is going to pay me.
• I don´t want to make my shoes dirty
• I have somewhere to be
• I don´t throw dirt into the streets
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Too much talking, no action
For some reason I have recently been getting the feeling that over in Monrovia, everyone is running around attending programs put on display by different players. At these various programs, people gather to listen to keynotes, seminars or whatever. This really appeals to our people because they get to zoot and make merry.
Is anything ever accomplished at these gatherings? Who knows, but I can clearly see that talking is cheap. We do a lot of talking in our country, but when it becomes time to invest your time or money in something concrete, everybody charkla.
Gentlemen, please come help me, lets do this or that. Whoosh! Nobody left. Had it been a question of food, oh, Where is the line?
Yes, Liberia will never go forward. Sound negative to you. Damned right.
Is anything ever accomplished at these gatherings? Who knows, but I can clearly see that talking is cheap. We do a lot of talking in our country, but when it becomes time to invest your time or money in something concrete, everybody charkla.
Gentlemen, please come help me, lets do this or that. Whoosh! Nobody left. Had it been a question of food, oh, Where is the line?
Yes, Liberia will never go forward. Sound negative to you. Damned right.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Hopes are forever high, but discouragement is just under the surface
Yes, sitting here in limbo, wishing for miracles to happen. That is just about how I feel. What is so hard for us to realise? If I line my own pocket from government coffers, how will the rest of my people prosper? Is it so hard to understand this? This incoherent selfishness is exactly what has driven our sorry excuse for a nation to conflict time after time.
Many questions there, but the only answer is to urge those in charge to dutifully carry out their individual tasks with the betterment of all. In varying degrees, this seems to be a worldwide problem, so we are not going to solve it here or today.
Sometimes I wonder wether democracy really is for Africa or more specifically Liberia.
Many questions there, but the only answer is to urge those in charge to dutifully carry out their individual tasks with the betterment of all. In varying degrees, this seems to be a worldwide problem, so we are not going to solve it here or today.
Sometimes I wonder wether democracy really is for Africa or more specifically Liberia.
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