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Posted October 11, 2006
Sawyer-Kortie Saga: The Dangers Of Loosed Cannon
By Sam Ajavon, Jr.
tagleparyo@yahoo.com
When those who are considered and charged with
the responsibility to perform duties that could alter the direction of the
society, but conduct themselves in manner that undermines the basic
principles for such consideration, replacement or dismissal should be the
only panacea in this regard. This should be the case with David Kortie who
now serves as a non-functional Commissioner of the Governance Reform
Commission (GRC). From the moment Kortie began his tirade about corruption
at the GRC involving its Chairman, Dr. Amos Sawyer, it became a clear that
the time had come for Kortie to reveal his true colors – the cat had been
let out of the bag.
Liberians from many walks of life pondered over
the yardstick utilized for Kortie’s preferment to serve at such level at the
GRC. This is an institution that should be consigned to deep thought,
research and analyses on the formulation of policies that would transform
Liberian institutions and laws. This is not a place for loosed cannons, the
likes of David Kortie! Considering the allegations he levied against the GRC
head, it would have been prudent for Kortie to provide clear evidence and
documentation for these accusations and validate his claims in order to
receive his accolades from the Liberian people whose interests he pretends
to seeks. Strangely, when the chips fell, Kortie’s accusations turned on him
and, obviously not as a surprise to anyone, he seems to be the culprit in
the saga that he had created with his hands deep, deep in the cookie jar.
His only way out when confronted with hard and substantiated evidence, as
was expected, was to walk out of the hearing that was being conducted by the
House Committee on Governance and Reform. What a shame!!! But Kortie cannot
be allowed to walk away from these allegations without providing any
evidence of accountability for the funds that were disbursed to him. If the
GRC can fully verify along with the Ministry of Finance that these funds
were signed for and disbursed to Kortie, it is prudent that he accounts for
same; his failure to do so should warrant legal actions as a deterrent to
anyone who undertakes similar practice. It therefore becomes necessary for
the Legislature to swiftly act in passing the corruption legislation that
has been developed by the Executive to curb the rampant excesses that have
plagued the country for over a century since its existence.
Kortie’s action should not be taken lightly by
the Committee, the GRC or the Executive. This is a devious individual who
thrives on chaos and, sadly so, views aspersions and confusion as a means
for making a name for himself. Kortie’s action has, however, exposed some
flaws in the way the GRC and perhaps the Ministry of Finance conduct
business, especially in the disbursement and accounting of funds for the
Commission and the Government. These loopholes must be closed, and perhaps
they have, for the GRC must be the last place where improprieties such as
Kortie’s actions exist, for charity begins at home. Now that Kortie is out,
individuals who are prepared and ready to put serious effort and time into
developing sound and practicable policies must be offered the opportunity.
However, caution must be taken to avoid other loosed cannons.
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