As Liberia
crawls to elections in 2012, there have been calls for Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,
the current president to seek another 6 year term. Although she had
initially declared when she campaign in the previous elections that ‘she was
seeking only one term,” she has not given any sign of acceptance. Certainly,
pressure is mounting on her to seek another term from many quarters,
especially from her inner-circle and other beneficiaries. The question
however is, and it goes to the core of her character and values, is she a
woman of her word, or was she misleading the Liberian electorate to seek a
personal political agenda? Liberians believe in her and her stance for which
she was branded “iron-lady.” We are proud of her accomplishments in so far
as lifting up this proud nation and people, and we thank her.
However, the
next elections should and must be a generational election that ushers in a
new breed of leaders with new thinking on moving the society forward and in
new direction. The current generation of leaders, led by Ellen Sirleaf, must
be ready and prepared to hand over the reins of power and governance to a
younger breed of Liberian leaders (the likes of the writer) who are
dedicated to CHANGE. Prominent individuals of this new generation must begin
the crusade for CHANGE and join with the current leadership to begin making
the argument for CHANGE and our readiness to lead this vibrant nation. The
fight will begin as the current leaders are expected to resist, but our
generation have the votes, a greater side of the argument, and perhaps are
the only catalyst for real CHANGE in Liberia. Should our generation of
leaders be denied this opportunity, we must disjoint ourselves from the past
and form a new force for CHANGE to challenge and take power through the
ballot box and with a united voice for CHANGE.
