Ref.: Our Natal Day Council to President Boakai
Your Excellency!
MONROVIA – As we soberly reflect on our 26-year professional journey as the country’s most analytical newspaper, we not only share flowers of our joy with you but also use the moment to present our earnest advice on a very pivotal element of national governance, the media, and what we candidly think you must do not only to keep a better relationship with the Liberian media, but also act consistent with constitutional dictates of free speech, free press and other human freedoms.
While we acknowledge that you and everyone in your new administration are preoccupied with how to get your bearing and entrench your tentacles on the governance landscape, we are compelled to leave you with this subject of this memo during the observance of our 26th anniversary because amid all the storms hovering over the nation since your incumbency.
Thus, let us say, Mr. President, that when you took the oath of office on 26 January 2024, you made a number of elating statements and vows, amongst which is the pledge to protect media freedom as a foundation for sustainable peace and development, and to end business as usual. It is not difficult for anyone to admit the importance of why you promised to uphold press freedom and end business as usual. Time after time your much-vaunted 40-year political and public service life was underpinned by a strong support from the media. And you fiercely agitated against your predecessors for not doing better.
Reading from the history of your public service life, and all the promises you made to improve the media landscape and end corruption and business as usual, much is expected from you. You have often advocated that press freedom is the mother of all freedoms. To whom much is given much is expected. Thus, you stand morally obliged, now as President of Liberia, to vanguard the cause of freedom of the press than any other Liberian President and the improve governance. That expectation, as far as the history of your long public service life is concerned, is not comparatively satisfactory. There are early outcries that you are not doing much to show any difference in terms of fighting corruption and ending impunity. Everyone is saying you fight is as good as that which is unleashed only on your perceived political foes, and that you are cuddling and covering your own. We find this unacceptable.
More so, even though your administration is still young, public ears and eyes are sharper – sharper not because love or hate you than your predecessors, but because many consider this period of our national existence under your leadership as the most crucial political epoch. Your incumbency is crucial principally because it many think it must cut the corner and sustain the democratic gains this country has made in the last 21 years after the end of the civil crisis.
Thus, on the need to be thorough and intentional in fighting corruption, ending impunity and business as usual which is the eloquent cry in the public space, you cannot afford to ignore the stern admonitions in the air. There should be no reason to pay deaf ears. This is why the expectation is so high amongst Liberians; and this is why the people want you to accelerate the Ship of State and push it far to noblier heights.
Let us once again remind you that in the last six months of your incumbency, there are ample indications that Liberians are divided over the gains and failures of your administration. There are those who exalt you and your regime, particularly because according to them, you have made a radical difference in terms of your “demonstrated political will” to tread where angels had feared, you mustered the courage to begin preliminary steps towards war and economic crimes court. You are taking actions on audit findings, a somewhat dim but welcomed signs of resistance to the temptation of kleptocracy or the misuse of public funds.
However, we think you should particularly be attracted to and animated by critical comments. You and, by extension, the entire nation, have more positives to reap in listening to and assimilating criticisms than in being amused by eulogies. And these are key concerns that make a lot of sense and are urgent imperatives for your government if you are truly to prove to be the Messiah that would take Liberians through and from the Red Sea to the Promised Land.
Finally, our concerns are clear and to the point: Be a president of Liberia, not president of Unity Party. Stop haunting and hunting professionals who are providing services to Liberia. Stop breaking the laws, including tenure laws. Stop bullying public servants left behind by the Coalition for Democratic Change government. In our fight against corruption, impunity and business as usual, don’t cherry pick. Be the statesman, national father-figure that we believe you are given your long record on the public service landscape. Whether this nation achieves reconciliation, unity and ward off relapse of political crises or not, the responsibility rests on your shoulders.
While we are not suggesting that you water down stance on radical actions, don’t also forget that bitterness and hatred are still boiling in the hearts of Liberians and against Liberians as a result of the last elections. National reconciliation, though much-sung as a national priority. is yet to find its roots in the schemes of things for national revival. Some say, and we are tempted to agree, the roadmap is yet to be laid on solid ground, or if laid, it is yet to be given the attention it deserves.
As we celebrate, we thought these random thoughtful counsels of ours are necessary to be shared with you. Thanks for your attention.
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