MONROVIA – Liberia’s civil society sector has long positioned itself as a watchdog over governance and public accountability. During a leadership transition at the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, prominent human rights lawyer and statesman Tiawan Saye Gongloe delivered a pointed message linking corruption, poor governance, and the country’s development challenges. Addressing stakeholders during the installation of new officers of the Council, Gongloe argued that corruption does not merely drain public finances but systematically erodes essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. His remarks also drew attention to rising barriers to education, urging collective civic action to defend access to learning for Liberia’s young population. THE ANALYST reports.
Prominent Liberian lawyer and governance advocate Tiawan Saye Gongloe has called for stronger public accountability and a renewed commitment to people-centered governance, warning that corruption continues to undermine Liberia’s development and the future of its young generation.
Gongloe delivered the remarks during a program marking the transition between administrations of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, where outgoing officers formally handed over leadership to a newly elected corps of officials.
The ceremony brought together government representatives, civil society leaders, religious institutions, members of the media, and other stakeholders.
Speaking under the theme “Governance is for the People, Not for the Pocket,” Gongloe stressed that public office should be regarded as a platform for service rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.
According to him, Liberia’s civil conflict, which lasted from 1989 to 2003, was not primarily driven by ethnic or religious divisions but by systemic failures in governance.
“As I have said on many occasions, the civil conflict that started in 1989 and ended in 2003 was caused by bad governance, not tribal or religious differences,” Gongloe stated.
He warned that greed and corruption within government institutions continue to threaten national progress, emphasizing that corruption extends beyond financial theft.
“When public officials steal, they do not only steal money,” he said. “They steal classrooms from our children. They steal medicine from our hospitals. They steal food from families and create more hungry citizens. They steal roads from our communities and steal hope from an entire generation.”
Gongloe argued that corruption ultimately weakens national development by undermining basic services and social infrastructure.
“When development is undermined, education suffers, healthcare weakens, food security declines, and infrastructure crumbles,” he noted. “Corruption is not just a crime against the treasury; it is a crime against the future of Liberia.”
Education and Development
The governance advocate also emphasized the central role of education in national development.
Drawing on economic principles, he explained that national productivity depends on three key factors of production—labor, land, and capital—but highlighted labor as the most critical element.
“In economics we are taught that labor, land, and capital produce output,” he said. “But the most important of these factors is labor because without labor neither land nor capital can produce anything.”
Gongloe stressed that trained and educated labor is more productive than untrained labor, making education a fundamental driver of national transformation.
“No country has developed without heavily investing in education,” he asserted. “Not one.”
However, he expressed concern that Liberia’s investment in education has remained low over the years while financial barriers continue to increase.
He criticized what he described as excessive graduation fees charged at various levels of Liberia’s education system—from preschool to university—arguing that such costs place additional burdens on families already struggling to afford tuition.
“Parents are struggling not only to pay tuition but also to pay in order to celebrate the graduation of their children,” he said.
Gongloe called on civil society organizations, students, parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community groups to organize peaceful and lawful advocacy against excessive graduation fees.
“Education must not become a privilege for the wealthy,” he stressed. “It must remain a right for every child in Liberia.”
Lessons From Other Nations
The speaker also compared Liberia’s education challenges with policies adopted in other countries that prioritize access to schooling.
He cited Botswana and other nations that provide incentives to encourage school attendance and reduce barriers to education.
According to him, many Liberian students are increasingly seeking education abroad, particularly in Rwanda, where tuition is often more affordable and educational systems are perceived as more accessible.
“What kind of country are we building if our young people must leave home to find affordable education in other countries?” Gongloe asked.
Call for Ethical Leadership
Gongloe concluded his address with a call for ethical leadership and civic responsibility, urging Liberians to reject corruption and demand accountability from public officials.
“Governance is not about enriching a few,” he declared. “It is about empowering the many, building minds, training labor, creating productivity, and securing the future.”
He encouraged citizens to commit themselves to integrity and national responsibility, emphasizing that the future of Liberia depends on a collective rejection of corruption and renewed investment in education.
“Governance is for the people, not for the pocket,” Gongloe concluded. “Because government is a place to serve, not to steal.”
The ceremony also marked the formal installation of new officers of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, signaling a renewed phase of civic engagement aimed at strengthening advocacy for transparency, accountability, and democratic governance across the country.