Liberia’s ‘Bowl of Rice’ Must Be Shared Equally -ANC Leader Decries Widening Poverty Gap in Liberia

MONROVIA – Alexander B. Cummings, leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), has sounded the alarm on the widening poverty gap in Liberia, attributing the country’s economic woes to the concentration of wealth among a privileged few. Cummings is urging the government to take bold steps to address the escalating drug menace, create jobs, and grow the economy to ensure that every Liberian has access to the country’s resources and opportunities. The Analyst reports.

Alexander B. Cummings, presidential contender in the 2023 elections, has spoken out on the pressing issues facing Liberia, including the escalating drug menace and economic inequality. According to Cummings, life under the current Boakai regime is unbearable for many Liberians, with many unable to afford basic necessities like rent.

“It’s saddening to see that despite the country’s rich resources, many Liberians are struggling to survive,” Cummings said, adding: “The average Liberian is a poor person, and that’s sad when our country has iron ore, gold, diamond, bauxite, lithium, and yet, most people are struggling to get a meal a day.”

Cummings drew a correlation between the hopeless state of Liberian youths and the drug epidemic, noting that the ongoing crisis is fueled by the hopelessness borne by Liberians due to compounding economic situations.

“Young people feel hopeless; they don’t feel they have a future; they don’t have a job, or they don’t have skills,” he said.

To address these issues, Cummings called on the government to take the lead in combatting drugs and reviving the economy.

“Only the government can stop the drugs from coming in and ensure that those benefiting from this illicit trade are held accountable,” he said. “The government must also create jobs and grow the economy.”

Cummings used the metaphor of a “bowl of rice” to illustrate his vision for a more equitable economy, since the country’s staple and “political commodity” is rice.

“All Liberians eat rice because it’s our primary meal,” he said. “What we need to do is make that bowl of rice bigger, grow that bowl of rice, and guarantee that every Liberian has the right to put their hands in that bowl of rice.”

Cummings emphasized that access to the “bowl of rice” should not be based on tribe, gender, age, religion, or political affiliation. “Everybody has the right to play in that bowl of rice,” he said. “And if you break the law, we will not let you eat that bowl of rice, because that’s also a choice.”