Juxtaposing UP Wealth Display, Founding Father’s Ideals -Konneh Urges UP Prioritize Liberians’ Needs over Politics

MONROVIA – As the ruling Unity Party’s jubilant supporters took to the streets on Saturday, December 7, clad in their finest green attire, the air was electric with excitement and cash pledges flowed in – nearly $2 million towards purchasing their party headquarters. Yet, amidst the fanfare, a discerning few saw an opportunity to reflect on the party’s values and legacy. One such voice was Senator Amara Konneh of Gbarpolu County, a former Finance Minister and stalwart of the party. In a thought-provoking social media post, Konneh wondered what the late Dr. Edward Binyah Kesselly, the party’s founding father, would make of this extravagant display. THE ANALYST reports.

Senator Amara Konneh, perhaps watching the display of power and wealth last Saturday by the leaders and ordinary partisan of the ruling Unity Party, made a reflection on the late Dr. Edward Binyah Kesselly, founder of the Unity Party—a reflection that serves as a poignant reminder of the party’s roots and its responsibility to the Liberian people.

Konneh’s insights, drawn from Dr. Kesselly’s book, offer a critique of the party’s current trajectory and a call to action for its leaders.

The Gbarpolu County Senator shared his thoughts on what the late Dr. Edward Binyah Kesselly, founder of the Unity Party, would say to his party today.

According to Konneh, Dr. Kesselly would likely commend President Boakai for maintaining stability and fundamental rights, and urge the party to focus on the economy and job creation for Liberians.

Konneh notes that Dr. Kesselly would be pleased to see the party in power, but would also remind them of the importance of inclusivity and good governance.

“He would remind his party how exclusion and political marginalization of others fostered bad governance and corruption during his time, widening the inequality gaps between political elites, technocrats, residents of slums and ghost towns, and many underprivileged citizens,”  Konneh said.

Konneh also believes that Dr. Kesselly would urge President Boakai to prioritize regional diplomacy and to focus on the country’s socioeconomic challenges.

“He would probably advise him to embrace regional diplomacy more, especially with his three neighbors,” Konneh said. “He would urge integrity, respect for the code of conduct during party rallies, and a collective effort towards progress and constructive change.”

Konneh’s reflection on Dr. Kesselly’s legacy seems to serve as a call to action for the Unity Party and the Liberian government to prioritize the needs of the people and work towards a better future for all.

Here is the full text of his commentary:

The answer can be found in his book, ‘Liberia Today & Tomorrow: Some Personal Reflections.’

1. He would probably share his insights on Liberia’s historical struggles (old Liberia vs. new Liberia) and leadership challenges. He would commend President Boakai for maintaining stability and fundamental rights, and for not targeting the opposition, as Dr. Kesselly and other politicians of his era experienced in the 1980s.

Dr. Kesselly would be pleased to see his party in power after winning a very close election through a strong coalition, and he would share his experience in maintaining political alliances through the lens of the Grand Coalition of the UP, LAP, and LUP back in the 1980s. He would remind his party how their main opposition (CDC) ignored members of its winning coalition and those who helped them win in 2017, which contributed to their 2023 loss.

2. He would also remind his party how exclusion and political marginalization of others fostered bad governance and corruption during his time, widening the inequality gaps between political elites, technocrats, residents of slums and ghost towns, and many underprivileged citizens. He would make hopeful calls for good governance, responsible citizenship, national unity, and development—showing deep concern for the country’s future and its unemployed youth amid ongoing challenges.

3. He would urge President Boakai to focus more on the economy and job creation for Liberians, likely highlighting his recent foreign policy successes with Liberia’s traditional partner, the U.S. He probably would advise him to embrace regional diplomacy more, especially with his three neighbors.

He might have attended recent events of other political parties in the UP’s governing coalition. He would expect those parties to join the UP’s event today and deliver messages to the nation.

4. Dr. Kesselly would probably urge integrity, respect for the code of conduct during party rallies, and a collective effort towards progress and constructive change. He would warn of a vicious cycle of political governance where those in power repeat the mistakes of their predecessors.

5. Finally, Dr. Kesselly would encourage Liberians (both at home and abroad) to foster genuine love for their country, avoid corrupt practices in governance, promote unity, and actively participate in building a better nation.

Congratulations to the ruling party on a strong showing in headcounts today, as it enters the midterm of its six-year term, akin to the CDC’s rallies when it was in power. I hope we can all get back to governance—hopefully better governance—beginning Monday and show the same or more progress in socioeconomic indicators and statistics, and in the number of families who are not struggling to meet their basic needs: the “bread and butter!”