With Bush and Rice, Monrovia becomes center of attraction

Monrovia is named after former US President, James Monroe. It is Liberia’s capital city. Liberia is one of the oldest independent nations in Africa; it is 158 years old. It gained its dependence in 1847.

The city during the height of the 14 years Liberian civil war for many, was a "no go place" or a dangerous terrain. However, in recent times, the situation is a paradox. Despite the lack of electricity, pipe borne water, poor communication system, deplorable road network, and other odds, Monrovia at present is a center of attraction for many.

Mrs. Laura Bush, wife of US President, George W. Bush, and Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, are among several notable characters in international politics that have in recent times gotten attracted to Monrovia. Mrs. Bush and Dr. Rice, are expected to lead a US government delegation to Monrovia next week.

Besides the US delegation that is eyeing Monrovia, the influx of people including foreign based Liberians and aliens into the city since last December, has increased tremendously. A recent media report quoting a spokesman of the Liberian Embassy based in Washington, D.C. claimed that the number of applicants now seeking visas to travel to Liberia especially Monrovia, has tripled.

But why the influx into Monrovia ? The reasons are many, but the two foremost are: Everybody wants to be a part of the first African female president-elect, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf  inaugural euphoria, and for some, especially the foreign based Liberian politicians, they are rushing to Monrovia because they want a " piece of the pie". In other words, they want to be considered for appointments in government.

Whatever the reasons maybe, one thing is certain. That is, Liberia  will make another history on January 16, 2005 when Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf officially takes over the political mantle of the nation as the first African female head of state. Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf snatched the presidency of Liberia from her archrival, soccer legend George Oppong Weah on November 8, 2005 during a run-off vote. She won with more than 59 % of the votes cast while Amb. Weah of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) lost with less than 41 %. The run-off vote was preceded by the October 11, 2005 general and presidential elections which featured 22 presidential candidates.

Preparations for her inaugural ceremony according to sources in Monrovia, are elaborate. Government facilities are being renovated and the city is being given a facelift. In spite of the current economic hardship the country is faced with, the Liberia National Transitional Government (LNTG) has made available US 1 million dollars for the ceremony.  It is reported that 500 foreign guests including diplomats and heads of government are expected to be in attendance.

Wow! What a great news. It is pleasing to note that after 25 years of misrule, raping, killing, and maiming, Liberians are making such massive preparations for the ushering in of a democratically elected administration. These activities manifest to the world that Liberians are war fatigued and despite the many socio-economic hurdles, they are ready to move on with their lives.

Congratulation Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf  on your ascendancy to the presidency of Liberia.   
However, madam president-elect,  please be reminded that after the elaborate celebrations are over and the dust shall have settled, a lot would be expected of you and your team of administrators in every aspect of life. The people’s expectations are extremely high because you are taking over Liberia at a time when they are hungry and unemployed. According to a US Agency for International Development (USAID, 2005) report, 85 % of the Liberian working population is unemployed while the poverty rate in the country
is 78 %.

Furthermore, your administration is being inaugurated  at a time when the Liberian government 54,000 employees have not been paid for 14 months. News report put the employees salary arrears at US 14 million dollars.  Madam president-elect, these reports are alarming and heart breaking. Liberians expect your administration to in a timely fashion pay the civil servants salary arrears, create job opportunities, and put in place an economic policy that would help alleviate the high level of destitution in the country.

Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf, the socio-economic problems facing post war Liberia are overwhelming. In the area of health and sanitation, the situation is horrendous. A recent report collectively submitted by the 26 committees you constituted a month ago to do an assessment of the nation’s socio-economic problems after 14 years of civil war, claimed that only 10 % of  Liberians has access to health care.  Many medical institutions in the country including the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Memorial Hospital, a one time enviable medical institution in West Africa, are currently dormant or ineffective because of the lack of drugs and government’s support. To sum it up, the HIV/AIDS rate in Liberia, is now approximately 6 %(The World Fact book, 2003). 

Moreover, Monrovia and its environs are filthy and they lack pipe borne water and electricity.  These are problems that demand immediate intervention. Besides these problems alluded to, the people would also be watching with keen interest the effort your government would  exert in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation’s educational and communication systems. At the moment, half of the school going age children in Liberia are out of school while for those who are in school, they are faced with  the problems of over crowdedness and the lack of instructional materials.

Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf, in addition to the countless social, political, and economic quandaries that your administration has to grapple with for now, every Liberian including your supporters and critics, expect government to begin an immediate clamp down on corruption which has over the years become synonymous to the political culture of Liberia. The astronomical level at which government’s revenues are being pillaged by self centered public servants is disheartening . The recommendation put forth by delegates at the UN donors conference held on Liberia last year in Copenhagen, Denmark urging the LNTG government to fight corruption, attests to the notoriety that Liberia has gained in the international community for dishonesty and misrule.

Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf, time and space can not allow me to go on naming the many daunting challenges your administration has to cope with for now, but one message I would like to leave with you and your able lieutenants is, You have a formidable task on hand, and Liberians will hold you and your team of national leaders accountable for the many LOFTY PROMISES made over the years.

Madam president-elect, there is no time for merry making or pussy footing because your desk is over crowded with national and international problems that need timely resolutions. You are taking over a country that for many in contemporary politics, is considered, a " failed state". Your administration has an obligation to prove Liberia’s critics wrong.

About the author: Moses D. Sandy, is an MSW graduate student at Temple University based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He holds a BA degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Liberia, and he once served as editor-chief of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS). Mr. Sandy, lives in Delaware state.

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