I believe what Mr Togba achieved, via his exposure as a paid-spokesman, was to cast suspicion and cynicism on a significant amount of genuine organizations that are currently operating in Liberia. There is nothing wrong in operating a PR firm but everything is wrong when any organization clothes itself in altruism and operates to the contrary.
Governments and high profiled personalities the world over hire PR firms to project a positive image of who they are and what they do. I do believe however that no one will pay a PR firm to deliberately alter the truth or engage in the dissemination of outright falsehood.
It seems Mr Togba has gotten his first real dose of Liberian politics - heavily entrenched in the quid pro quo mode. One is also stunned at the timing of this expose on the Movement for the Defense of the Down-trodden and Frontpage Africa's role in the entire imbroglio.
The government I believe should launch a detailed investigation of the Movement for the Defense of the Down-trodden activities and unearth any shady dealings it may have executed with officials, companies and private individuals in its "money for positive press scheme".
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
[ add comment ] | permalink | related link |
( 3 / 116 )Once again the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) is in the lime light for all the wrong reasons. This organization has given a whole new meaning to the terms ineptitude and incompetence. I am still bewildered as to why Liberians residing in the Twin Cities are yet unable to throw off the yoke of this organization.
Currently, in the Diaspora and Monrovia there are wild allegations of Liberian government corruption as if corruption is a government sanctioned policy. No one cares to discuss our collective inclination towards greed and false sense of patriotism. No one is concerned that this might just be a symptom of who we are as a people and the values we hold dear.
The OLM’s leadership recent purchase of a "suite cum community center" is the source of the latest Liberian internet furor. There are wild allegations regarding the choice of building and its capacity to host the innumerable activities Liberians plan and attend each year.
A couple of week ago, there were articles all over the internet calling for unity within the OLM ranks. I believe these calls went unheeded and/or maybe uniting all of the various factions of the OLM is just simply an impossibility. I am of the opinion that the OLM should be dissolved and a new organization with clear cut objectives and a desire to be of service to Liberians residing in the twin cities be formed. The OLM dissolution will do a lot more to improve the lot of Liberian in Minnesota and the USA at large.
The current state of the OLM is a vivid reminder as to why Liberians, at home and abroad are unable to unite as a people to achieve any significant common goals. Maybe it is high time we start looking inwards - Yes in the mirror. The OLM leadership and Liberians the world over should give honest answers to the following: Are we self-despising in nature ? Has greed overtaken the very soul of our nation ? Do we hate others that are simply progressing through their hard work ?
Maybe, just maybe, the OLM represents a microcosm of who we are as a people.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
[ add comment ] | permalink |
( 2.9 / 118 )Richalieu Urey's piece titled "Obama Administration Should Not Embrace President Ellen Johnson" published on the www.liberianforum.com website was clearly a window into his very soul. If anything, it exposed his lack of basic knowledge of things as they happen in Liberia. It also gave credence to the fabled thought that “it is not the school that makes the individual but the individual that makes the school“.
It seems the www.liberianforum.com website is hastily becoming a hornets nest where disgruntled individuals congregate and espouse fantasies.
If Mr Urey’s description of his numerous educational achievements was intended to validate his authority and grasp on the issues he raised it achieved the opposite.
It will bore my audience if I attempt to delve into Mr Urey’s laundry list of allegations but he clearly represents that tiny section of the Liberian nation that believes nothing runs well unless they are in the driver's seat. For his numerous insinuations, brevity will suffice.
Halluburton
I for sometimes in the past was of the opinion that conspiracy theorists were a problem of the Western World but Mr Urey piece has shattered that long standing view. It is impossible for me to decipher why the government of Liberia will be a servant of the triumvirate of Goldman Sachs, DynCorp (either an affiliate or subsidiary of Halliburton) and other bad corporations that caused the economic crisis in America to the detriment of the Liberian nation and people. The public will be better served if Mr Urey could provide further elaboration on his claims.
Downsizing
Mr Urey, I believe do possess some basic knowledge of economics and civics. Governments in our modern era are operated as a for-profit-business except their profits are utilized for the provision of meaningful social services and national infrastructural development. To achieve this end, every well-meaning government MUST be small and efficient. It is interesting that Mr Urey will mention corruption and criticize downsizing. A bloated government, especially one plagued with unnecessary bureaucracy is a good source of duplicity and provides a perfect environment for corruption.
Million dollars transfer
Whatever the details that Mr Urey is privy to regarding this subject, it will be of great benefit to his audience if he makes his facts public.
Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) reports manipulations
Instead of dignifying innuendoes, Mr Urey should encourage members of the Liberian Senate to ACT to ensure that the TRC report becomes binding.
Finally, Mr Urey’s article, portrayed him as been aloof of the truth and robbed him of any shred of credibility that he hoped to attained by its publication. Mr Urey, whatever national or international embarrassment that befalls our leaders - whether we agree with them or not - cast a long shadow on us as a people !
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
[ add comment ] ( 1 view ) | permalink | related link |
( 2.9 / 115 )Liberia’s Labor Minister Tiawan Gongloe allegedly mentioned, a few days ago, that his ministerial outfit will vigorously begin "enforcing regulations on employment soon" - while speaking to journalists in Monrovia (statement reported on the www.limany.org website).
A declaration of this magnitude coming from such a high governmental functionary is a cause for concern especially coming at this time when a bulk of our population is both internally and externally displaced and virtually "every hand" is needed on deck to get our nation sailing again.
Many Liberians living in the Diaspora - work and pay taxes and are law abiding residents of the countries in which they reside. Some even occupy high positions of immense authority. I believe Minister Gongloe should tread carefully to ensure that his desire, for enforcement of our labor laws, is not abused by his enforcers and used as a harassment tool against law-abiding foreigners.
All over the world, countries have laws regarding employment of foreigners and non- citizens that are resident within their territorial confines, but for those laws to be hollered with the undertone of a veiled threat targeted at foreign residents is a cause for concern for all. Are we sending a message that our current labor laws are been abused or do we lack the capacity to enforce them ? Or was the Minister assertions targeted at a particular group of foreigners ?
Friends of Liberia from far and near have contributed immensely to our nation's resurgence and I do not believe implied threats and unnecessary regulations are the best ways to roll back the gains they have made through hard work. Lastly, this is no green light for unscrupulous foreigners to abuse Liberia’s hospitality or our current state of national need for myriad expertise as we strive to rebuild from the ashes of war.
I believe together, foreigners and citizens, we can all make Liberia great again.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
[ add comment ] | permalink |
( 3 / 100 )It seems FrontPage Africa - the online Liberian newspaper - is once again on course to cementing its reputation as "critic in chief" of almost everything that goes on in Liberia today. Most recently its radar has zoomed in on CHICO - a Chinese construction company that is assisting with the reconstruction efforts in Liberia.
As usual, the FrontPage Africa story claims it was only reporting concerns of citizens and government officials regarding the quality of the roads and their dilapidate state especially after their recent “reconstruction”.
Interestingly, it was also reported in the article that the Public Works Minister Mr Kofi Woods has accepted responsibility for the apparent "unacceptable" conditions of the “reconstructed” roads. One is left to ponder the state of affairs regarding the basic aspects of governance - avoidance of waste and the upholding of public trust - and quiz oneself as to the level of involvement / oversight of the Government agency that award these contracts.
One very important aspect of engineering is quality control. I wonder if the public works ministry has a functioning QA/QC (Quality Assurance / Quality Control) wing. If the quality of the roads have become unacceptable in such a short span of time, I believe this situation could have been avoided if the initial construction process was thoroughly monitored for adherence to established standards (strength of materials in basic engineering) .
I would also imagine that there were established warranties / maintenance agreement included in the contract for a reasonable period of time whereby the construction firm would maintain these roads at little or no cost to the government.
While it is unlikely that the Government or one of its agencies, would award such high price contract with apparently no quality control in place, I believe this sad case presents us with an opportunity to reassess the manner in which contracts are awarded - be it construction or of any nature.
It is common knowledge that political appointees are a fact of national politics but as we constantly review/reshuffle our ministerial postings I would suggest that emphasis be placed on specific areas of qualification, demonstrated leadership and the ability to adapt to constant changes.
The days of having square pegs in round holes are long gone.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
[ add comment ] ( 4 views ) | permalink |
( 2.9 / 82 )
Calendar