29 June 2009
Monrovia — Since the inception of the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf political administration, and if the precipitate transitional period is to be included, billions of United States Dollars has been used to stabilize the collapsed Liberian state through a gamut of emergency, recovery and development strategies and efforts initiated and implemented by both Liberian and international stakeholders. While some believe the progress made in the last five years following the cessation of hostilities outnumber reform and transformational programs of decades before the war, there are observers who think the Liberian state is still bogged by the combination of social, economic and political factors underpinned by official complacency and lethargy. As The Analyst Staff Writer reports, the Chief of Communications at the ever-alert General Auditing Commission (GAC) shares the latter thought outlining a plethora of indicators holding national recovery and development at ransom.
As Liberia’s reform program continues under the aegis of the Sirleaf administration and its external partners, Liberians are divided over the pace and magnitude of the gains made since elections and the subsequent inauguration of the post-conflict regime.
Some Liberians, probably include international observers, contend the level of social, economic and political transformation Liberia has undergone since elections has outpaced achievements made by two or three political administrations combined.
Those making such a claim often point the fiscal reforms resulting into spiraled growth rate, the amiable democratic space manifested in lack of political prisoners and burgeoning media and free speech environments, the restoration of Liberia’s place in the comity of nations evidenced by glamour amongst nations and organizations to waive the country’s debt and reestablish their diplomatic missions in Monrovia.
On account on these supposed development strides, the proponents of the aforesaid viewpoint often wave off criticism against the Sirleaf administration, saying the country under the administration has surmounted the most formidable challenges and there is no need to panic.
Some critical minds however believe despite the initial minimal gains made at the economic, political and diplomatic fronts, the Sirleaf administration faces enormous challenges that threaten to wreck whatever achievements made so far.
GAC Communications Chief, Ernest S. Maximore, in a keynote statement delivered at the commencement program over the weekend shares the latter observation, saying he believe there are more challenges ahead than already endured by the post-conflict state.
“Noteworthy developments of the last past years appear, the challenges facing the nation are still huge and worrisome,” Maximore told his audience at the close of academic activities of the Wisdom Community Elementary and Junior High School in Sinkor.
He said there are still a plethora of gray areas that we must confront if our dark yesterday is to turn into a bright tomorrow.
“First, there is still the problem of corruption. Despite a couple of reforms measures put in place, including the inauguration of GEMAP and the radical overhaul of the state bureaucracy via downsizing and rightsizing, the nation’s meager resources are leaking profusely to the advantage of a few persons,” Maximore, who at the onset of his speech his utterances at the program did not reflect the views of the GAC, stated. “Despite the declaration of war against corruption and graft, the vice has become an epidemic infesting every stratum of society, particularly the public sector.”
In the face of the rampancy of corruption under the Sirleaf administration, Liberia needed bold and urgent action.
“The time for answer is now,” he cautioned. “The time for lip-service is no more. Corruption is moving with the speed of torpedo, and unless all of us--students and adults, ordinary citizens and officials of government, private enterprises and public offices--rise up quickly to fight back, Liberia is doomed; the vicious cycle of poverty, conflict and war will continue to loom.”
Maximore: “As we are all aware, the General Auditing Commission (GAC) has been producing a couple of reports that are telling bleakly about public life. Nearly every public institution audited by the GAC was found to have fiscally performed miserably, either due to the lack of credible financial system or because of the blatant abuse and stealing of public money or both.”
As a frontline fighter in the war against corruption, the GAC has the responsibility not only to expose graft, corruption and plunder; it also makes useful recommendations to institutions audited and to the entire government as to how the profuse leakages of state resources can be sealed up, he said.
According to the GAC Chief of Communications, what the rest of Liberians can do is to encourage the Auditor General John S. Morlu and the GAC to continue to do its work without fear and favor.
“To ignore the work of the GAC, to interpret the GAC intervention as a witch-hunt or to provide excuses for fiscal excesses unearthed by the GAC will further plunge Liberia into the abyss of underdevelopment, poverty and conflict,” Maximore said, adding that the battle against corruption and its perpetrators demands radical and revolutionary approach to our way of life.
He said Liberians must admit that corruption exists; that corruption is responsible for the woes they face as a people and that corruption has the capability to turn this country to another corruption.
“Let’s not make the mistake or have an illusion about this fact,” he exclaimed.
While it is however important that Liberians must admit that corruption is prevalent in government and the resources being looted by a few belongs to all Liberians, he said corruption is smelling everywhere in the country--in the streets, in the churches, in the kitchens, in the susu clubs, in the schools, and just everywhere and that corruption cost so much damage everywhere it strikes.
“For instance, Ladies and Gentlemen, the news of corruption emanating from our school systems is not only pronounced but indicates that our entire education system is in great danger,” he shifted focus of discussion from government to the private sector.
“Being a former teacher myself, I cannot pretend I know much about the situation here at the Wisdom Community Elementary and Junior High School. But news is overwhelming that grades are on sale in many of our schools, either for cash or for illicit sexual activities or for both,” he asserted amid applauses.
“And in this school-based corruption, we are hearing that many are culprits and blamable--students, teachers, school administrators, and most surprisingly parents and guardians. We are hearing that our schools are submerged in a horde of illicit social behaviors, which are robbing our young generation the opportunity to learn well for their own benefit and the benefit of the nation,” he said further.
The GAC Communications boss cautioned students, teachers/school administrators and parents/guardians to concertedly counter the growing waves of corruption in Liberian schools.
In Liberia’s recovery from war to peace, from conflict to development, young people who are students today are heavily relied upon for tomorrow’s leadership, Maximore told the students.
He said following years of conflict, a conflict that led to the death, disfigurement and displacement of educated citizens resulting into massive brain drain, national recovery and development efforts need capable Liberians; technocrats, politicians, chemists, pilots, engineers, auditors, administrators and a host of other skilled and shrewd people to put Liberia on par with other institutions.
“I therefore urge you as you go to another stage in education to burn out the nights, study your lesson and grow academically,” he cautioned the students. “As you go step by step in your learning process, I admonish you to always try to do things that are right, things that are just, things that are equitable, things that are good in the sight of God because you have to account for your stewardship on earth in whatever you do.”
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There is no doubt, that the fate of President Sirleaf's first term will be judged by the the way she handles some destinct problems such as: #1.Reconciliation #2.Education #3.Corruption #4.Rehabilitation and Demobilization,finally #5.Jobs Since taken office in 2005,the President had tackle most of the above problems. But the question is how were these problems handle? The President willingness to speak of the country terrible past always spark critics from her oppositions.But has opened the door for reconciliation. This President is driven to moves the country in a positive directions. President Ellen Sirleaf will be considered as the most impressive leader… [Read Full Text]
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