I would also like to appeal to ORDINARY Liberians residing in the Twin cities (St. Paul and Minneapolis) and Providence, Rhode Island to demand that the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) and Liberian Community Association of Rhode Island (LCARI) redefine their agendas so as to positively impact our community and country's development or relinquish their leadership roles.
The Twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Providence hold significant numbers of Liberians that reside in continental USA. I believe, by their sheer size of population they MUST have leading roles in shaping the agenda and impacting public discourse that affect Liberians in their communities and at home.
Recently I stumbled upon a Youtube clip ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CSQFrfvkeA ) that bare for the world to see the giant show of shame that exists in the OLM. In the clip, a single question posed by Dr Dolo all but ended the meeting. There was no sense of agenda neither was the speaker properly positioned to maintain decorum in the meeting. It leaves me to wonder what this organization, eaten to its core by internal acrimonies, can ever achieve.
On the other hand, the ineffectiveness of the (LCARI) has rendered it all but nonexistent. The least said about this organisation will suffice !
This letter is a call to action to ORDINARY Liberians living in the named cities. It is time WE all get involved. If these organizations, by their inactions have fallen on their proverbial swords, the torch need to be passed on. Their ineffectiveness and lack of a clear agenda has robbed them of their ability to lead.
I would propose that Liberians, from all walks of life, residing in St. Paul and Minneapolis and Providence hold town hall meetings through which frameworks for new and effective umbrella organization(s) would emerge. We have a lot of issues that need to be tackled and resolved and our current fractured nature has proven to be our Achilles’ heel.
It is high time that ORDINARY Liberians seize the day ! Not by rancor but by setting up effective alternatives to what currently exist. I believe the OLM, LCARI and to a large extent ULAA are destined to die NATURAL DEATHS brought about by internal strife(s), dwindling membership and insignificance. Remember, because of their significance, Providence and the Twin cities MUST remain relevant !
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 2.9 / 86 )Mr Jackson raised a very tough and sensitive subject to which a delicate and responsible reaction is needed. One runs the risk of been labeled an ultra-conservative or an out-and-out misogynist if your views are deemed contrary to populist sentiments.
I believe the Liberian senators and representatives were right in demanding that Mrs. Elfreda Tamba, as a top governmental functionary, be properly attired for her appearance before them.
Firstly, Mrs. Tamba, in her current capacity, is a role model, not only for young Liberian females but females in Africa and beyond. Common decency demands that that she be properly clad anytime she appears in public - no matter the forum.
The charge of sexism that Mr. Jackson levied against the senators and representatives is highly misplaced. The senators and representatives should be praised for protecting and honoring Liberian Womanhood. By their action they did not only protect Liberian women’s integrity, including Mrs. Tamba's, but showed their respect for Liberian women - a gross misrepresentation which Mrs. Tamba exhibited.
Pregnant teenager - Mr. Jackson made an interesting point here. I believe that this situation would be better served if the teenager never got pregnant at all - Although it is an impossibility this sad situation calls for concerted efforts regarding sex education ( i.e. safe sex practices, abstinence, etc) from us all - family, religious institutions and the government.
Confident and curvaceous woman in tongs or bikini - Mr. Jackson desire for such sightings are his to explain but I am sure that he would be totally against such attire been displayed anywhere else than the beach front or a swimming pool - let alone the senate floor ! I submit to Mr. Jackson that we indeed live in the 21st Century but the same science, technology and social/cultural advancements that brought so much convenience to our lives have also brought in their wake unforeseen perils.
Within a country still reeling from a devastating war where law and order is slowly catching up (cases of vicious rape are regular occurrences), one can only advise our sisters to dress appropriately and be shining examples at all times.
Maybe a few interesting facts might be of use to Mr. Jackson regarding dress codes. The US White House has a dress code - now business casual, The NBA has introduced a dress code, a suit and tie or ''African-inspired dress" is compulsory for male Members of Parliament in Kenya, and anything less would cause an MP to be thrown out of the house. Senators in Nigeria recently proposed a Dress Code Bill that would be binding on ALL Nigerians to stem the tide of scanty dressing in public . . . to name a few.
The Liberian senators and representatives are NOT misogynists. Their action displayed common sense and a penchant for decency !
Lastly, remember Mr. Jackson, modesty has always been a VIRTUE !
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 3.1 / 104 )After reading the piece by By: Abdoulaye W. Dukulé and Emmanuel Dolo titled Speaking Truth to the Ruling and Opposition Power Equally I fondly remember the phrase “ politics make strange bedfellows” I would like to term the duo an “unholy alliance”. The crux of their piece was dead on. It is high time Liberians from all walks of life start holding their leaders accountable. This I believe will lead to better governance in our Motherland.
What the piece did was stripped Mr Tubman of any cloak of altruism he believed his criticisms had bought him. As a Liberian he has every right to hold his government accountable. But fairness demands that he who launch criticisms be above the fray himself. To navigate the murky waters of the Tubman, Tolbert, Doe and Interim Governments eras in regards to their blatant acts of corruption will only bore your audience.
I believe the current exaggerated “wave” of corruption is NOT a government approved policy neither are corrupt acts condoned by the government. I would like to jog our collective memory here. In Liberia today, former and current government officials are on trial for corruption ( including a former interim president). With the vigilance of the media acts of corruption are been exposed, investigated and subsequently their perpetrators punished. No matter what the accusations are – the due process of the law must be observered. The canker of corruption, in this dispensation, will be dealt with in the court of law and not summary justice.
Jurisprudence demands innocence until proven guilty. The exposed cases of corruption are being investigated. We are ALL discussing it today because the alleged culprits have been exposed and will soon face the full weight of the law. Mr Tubman, no one can ask any government to be infallible. We can all demand that it be accountable ! Let me also remind us all that our current economy is donor driven and with that comes pre-conditions one of the most important of which is respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Anti-Corruption Mechanisms
While the government, in collaboration with her partners, has gone out of her way to ensure transparency (GMAP, ECOWAS Audit et all) it does not possess the ability to change attitudes. It seems some of our current officials see government as a source of enrichment. A perfect case of the government's deterrence mechanism is that of the current quasi-independent auditor general. He and his outfit are vanguard in the fight against institutional corruption. Once again I will respectfully submit to Mr Tubman that government does not possess the ability to change attitudes – a thief will always be a thief.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 2.9 / 78 )Elections, they say, do have consequences. The Sirleaf administration has a lot to answer regarding the “perceived” avalanche of corruption allegations being unearthed on its watch.
I am both amazed and disturbed by the volume of critics the government of Liberia has amassed (growing by leaps and bounds on a daily basis) regarding its handling of “perceived” corruption both in the public and private sectors. This is a classic case of perception becoming a reality.
The recent commentary by Mr. Paul Jackson titled “Prez Sirleaf’s Bravado Clamp Down on Corruption: Where Is The Substance?” I believe was either written in bad faith or with a total disregard for one key component of jurisprudence – the insistence of innocence until proven guilty.
Mr. Jackson did his best, in a subtle manner, to demand that the proverbial stakes be erected to literally burn those accused of acts of corruption.
Mr. Jackson, I believe, is aware of the sudden downturn in the American economy caused principally by activities on Wall Street and other financial sectors. The cries I hear from our American brothers and sisters are for more regulations – ensuring conmen do not have risk-free opportunities – more government oversight and the rule of law!
Mr. Jackson, it seems we are dealing with an attitude problem here. Government cannot operate as a religious institution – promoting/correcting attitudes and vices – that is the responsibility of our religious institutions and the family unit. It is high time we start instilling in our children the value of honesty, hard work and fair play.
Lastly, Mr. Jackson, we all should do our utmost best to ensure our criticisms do not descend into personal attacks. I should also remind you that alleged perpetrators are been punished which we all hope will serve as deterrents.
It seems the current dispensation has enabled most of us to find our voices. One can only hope that we also proffer solutions to existing and/or perceived problems.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 2.6 / 76 )I am writing in response to a recent article published on the " Frontpage Africa" website titled “Is The Sirleaf Administration Criminalizing Dissent”. I would first want to state that I am NOT holding brief for the government of Liberia – they should have a state apparatus for that. But in the name of common sense we should all state our dissent and views in an orderly/civil manner.
While every citizen has the right to free speech the government also has a right to maintain stability and a sense of law and order. The writer of the article, Mr Dolo, I am sure, is aware that certain pronouncements and actions have the potential to not only create chaos but to portray a sense of insecurity that could lead to capital flight (current and potential investors) that we need at the juncture in our collective history.
In the mentioned article, the writer, Mr Dolo, mentions arbitrary arrests of critics of the government. It would have been better if he had also included verifiable proofs in his writeup instead he provided a kaleidoscope that boggled my mind. Some of the claims mentioned in his writeup are yet to be verified by independent sources.
I am shocked that he also included the laughable claim , by Mr Morlu, that the government of Liberia has imported snakes from Libya for use as torture tools on would-be opponents.
It seems our apparent state of calm ( political stability) has given rise to various shades of “ Human right activists”. While their intent is noble. I believe that their actions should be in conformity with civilized norms.
It is a shame that some of these “ human right activists” would do whatever it takes to gain publicity. Mr Morlu - the lead proponent of the Liberian War Crimes Court, whom I have only read about, from the Internet, seems to be on an undefined crusade akin to chasing a mirage. I do not know his driving passion but I want to register that we are all victims of this war ! Right now, we should all focus on genuine reconciliation and unity.
Advocacy, no matter the cause should be done in a civil manner. I would personally plead to Mr Morlu and his ilks to remember that while trying to correct perceived injustices we do not commit act of injustices ourselves.
To all of our human right activists” I would also like to state that human rights also include the accordance of human dignity to a people via jobs creation, affordable healthcare , better schools and a high sense of self esteem not just blatant antagonism to a sitting government.
I would also appeal to the management of Frontpage Africa to duly assess some of the letters/claims before placing them on the Internet. Your credibility (Frontpage Africa) is high amongst Liberians at home and in the Diaspora. I urge your editors to employ due diligence ( sound editorial judgment) before some of these stories are published.
Regards,
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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