Liberia's Finance Minister, Amara Konneh, has declared that tribal and religious differences are seriously hindering Liberia's progress, warning that this situation could be further compounded by an emerging class struggle bordering on wealth and opportunity acquisition.

Addressing hundreds of Liberians in the United States of America when he served as Independence Day Orator, Minister Konneh pointed out that ethnic discrimination as witnessed during the country's war years leads to death thus it should be stopped to pave way for sustained unity, peace and development.

Said Minister Konneh: "I have seen the damaging impact of tribal and religious prejudice. I was raised in a diverse family; my grandfather married a Dei woman from Gbojay, Bomi County. And as a child I witnessed, with great displeasure, members of my community treating her harshly because she did not speak our language or share our faith from birth.

The same is true for many other ethnic groups before and during the war, as people were ostracized, or robbed of their dignity, their limbs and lives, simply because of their ethnicity."

Tribal bias, he said, exists in both private and public sectors, thus creating bitterness and hatred amongst rival tribes.

"On a daily basis, I feel the pressure from members of my ethnic group to hire all Mandingoes; they resent and badmouth me when I resist. I am told on a daily basis that my colleagues with whom I work will undermine and betray me because they are not Mandingoes," he narrated, throwing light on the renewed stereotype that is being directed at Liberians within a relative high income group," he stated.

The Finance Minister continued: "We've all heard the words 'Congo" or 'Country,' used in less than affectionate ways, or used those words ourselves, in private conversations. You'll be interested to know that, in as much as your community here has its tensions - which are normal - it will be a whole different ball game when you get back to Liberia. Because, as a Krahn man or woman, for example, your American accent, nice clothes, respectable car and personal affluence will out of a sudden earn you the label of 'Congo.' Because the term is no longer used only to describe African American settlers; it is now used as a blanket label for all those who have risen to a certain income bracket. It is especially used, now, on those of us who have lived abroad for a certain length of time."

"You will also find, on coming home, that any job you get will be seen as one less job for the average Liberian who braved the war, never having made it to the great United States. You will be resented, even hated, by some, just because of the opportunity you had and the advantage it gives you." Minister Konneh further pointed out.

The US Independence Day Orator accentuated that the new class between Liberians at home and those in the Diaspora is rooted in the growing sense of little or no opportunity and income.

The Finance Minister explained that the proposed legislation seeking dual citizenship for Diaspora Liberians, is unpopular on home soil because many Liberians at home feel that those outside the country are robbing them of opportunities they deserve.

"So, you see my friends, while we are harboring old tensions due to religious, ethnic and political differences, a new class struggle is raising its head; because the fact is people will always have an excuse to disagree and to choose a negative perspective on other people, issues and events," the Finance Minister noted.

He observed that conditions and challenges underpinning this problem must be tackled head on to prevent the occurrence of an explosive social crisis that could disrepute progress being made since the end of the country's decade long civil war.

The administration of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, he mentioned, has taken practically steps to resolve the socio economic problems via the construction of roads and other infrastructure coupled with the provision of basic social services.

Those policy interventions, the Minister stated, will help increase trade and stimulate the national economy.

Minister Konneh: "People are struggling to make a living. Our youthful population is hungry for opportunities, anxious for productivity, and restless from the lack of jobs that pay a living wage. They are angry and impatient, understandably, for the hope they placed in this government to be realized in a relatively short period of time."

He furthered: "And the challenges are well known. They include: strengthening our fragile peace, enhancing security and the rule of law, fostering reconciliation and national unity; laying durable infrastructure to foster equitable economic growth, while promoting financial transparency to build the confidence that Liberians should have in their government, and to attract larger investments from within and outside Liberia.

Now, we have paved the Monrovia-Buchanan highway, reducing travel time by four hours and providing farmers access to market and to theport of Buchanan; and the sick to healthcare facilities. We are also currently paving the road from Paynesville Red-light Market to Ganta and then the Guinea border, Nimba County; and the Zwedru-Fish Town highway; we are well advanced in our energy program that is expected to bring close to about 100 megawatts of cheap electricity over the next four years not only to Monrovia but to eighteen rural communities activities and contribute substantially to growth."

"Well, it's true that we haven't brought about every change important to the conscience of every Liberian, but we can take a great deal of honest pride in what we have achieved. Tomorrow, during our town hall meeting here in Minneapolis, I want to talk about just how far we've come and what we need to do to win further victories for the Liberian people." Minister Konneh among other things added.