Another Plan

Recently, the Government of Liberia published a Poverty Reduction Strategy which spells out its aim of reducing the burden and hardship our compatriots endure as a result of grinding poverty. Not only is poverty pervasive in Liberia, but it tentacles stretches across third world countries and thus has led to crises and fueled conflicts in many such countries, Liberia included. Certainly, reducing poverty is a major undertaking that is front and center of any government, especially in Liberia, where our society has been devastated by war. 

This administration must be commended for developing another plan. That we have such plan is a first step, but how we implement same is where all of the efforts are needed. This is so because Liberia has had a number of plans! Fingers, toes, limbs would not be able to count the number of plans that have been hatched to move the country from stagnancy to progress and to address the endemic burden of poverty - Remember Vision 2024 hatched in 2002; The Grain Revolution, etc.?  

Having a plan to reduce poverty must be accompanied by tangible actions that demonstrate a commitment to its implementation. One such action would be upgrading JFK Medical Center and improving its standards that the President of Liberia does not have to come to the US for a medical/physical checkup! In this case the President can use her physical at JFK to send a message to all Liberians of the important of having a yearly physical exam – that’s a step towards reducing poverty. With this Liberians can begin having longer life span and would be able to prevent some life threatening illnesses. Savvy?