Today is November 24, 2010. In five days we will be observing the Birth Anniversary of the late William V. S. Tubman, 18th President of the Republic of Liberia. This Day is observed throughout the entire Republic as a National Holiday. Banks, Government offices, businesses, including general markets, shops, grocery stores &c. will be closed to the Public. The Government will hold an indoor Program to commemorate the Day.
In Maryland County the Day means something more than just a national holiday. And so it is observed in the County with deep passion. Marylanders always observe this Day differently than any part of the Country. All this considered, the Day is different in Maryland. Feelings of this Day run deep. And this is because the man (Tubman) was our own son. When I say “our” I mean Marylanders. Because I’m one. Shad, as he was affectionately called, was born and reared in Maryland County.
Marylanders are proud of Tubman’s leadership record.
Under Tubman, new policies to open the country to international investment and to allow the indigenous peoples a greater say in Liberian affairs were undertaken. The country's mineral wealth, particularly iron ore, began to be exploited, and there was a gradual improvement of roads, schools, and health standards.
We know Dr. Tubman became a controversial figure during his 27-year tenure.
Some people admired him. Others hated him. Some said he was” sincere.” And others said he was “oppressive.” Some praise him as a “True patriot.” Some said and continues to say he “sold” the country to foreigners. Authors like Robert A. Smith, A. Doris Banks Henries and Lawrence A. Marinelli, devoted eulogies to Dr. Tubman. But other authors like Albert Porte, Tuan Wreh, Robert W. Clower and Gus J. Liebenow never hid their criticisms and disgust at his policies and practices. All in all, Tubman was the man on the “spot!”
Truth be told, Dr. William V. S. Tubman’s presidency strongly influenced Liberia’s political and economic performance during the second half of the 20th century. Economically, the country could boast of a number of impressive achievements. In the 1950s Liberia had the fastest growing economy in the world, after Japan. When Shad (as he was affectionately called) died, Liberia had the largest mercantile fleet in the world, it hosted the world’s largest rubber plantation and latex factory. Liberia had become Africa’s main exporter of iron ore and it ranked number 3 on the world list of iron ore exporters. Liberia attracted more than US $ 1 billion of foreign investments including the largest Swedish investment abroad after 1945 as well as the largest German investment in Africa - at that time.
President Tubman was responsible for numerous reforms and social policies, including enactment of suffrage and property rights for all female residents of 21 or older; authorization of direct participation in government by all tribes people, who comprise about 80 percent of the population; and the establishment of a nationwide public-school system.
It was during his Administration construction and completion of the first international airport (Robert International Air Port) and a deepwater harbor (Free Port of Monrovia) at Monrovia were done. U.S. money was declared legal tender in Liberia, replacing British West African currency during his Administration. In 1943 William V.S. Tubman was elected to his first term as president. Liberia declared war against Germany and Japan in January 1944 and in April signed the Declaration of the United Nations. The new significance of Liberia became apparent after the outbreak of World War II. During the war Liberia’s rubber plantation was the only source of natural latex rubber available to the Allies, apart from plantations in Ceylon.
"Every leader is accredited for his political theory and achievements, so is Liberia’s eighteenth president, William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman, born on November 29, 1895."
"The “Unification and Integration Policy” is accredited to him in Liberia."
"The independence of Liberia may have been the panacea for the imperialist aggression that confronted the commonwealth, (made of Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Sinoe Counties), but it did not address the most pertinent national issue of building a harmonious society. Harmony in post independent Liberia was difficult, because of the perception of the settlers about their native brothers, exacerbated by the constitution and motto of the new Republic."
"One of the grievances of the constitutional committee that declared the sovereignty of the government of the Republic was that while in America, they were stopped by law from all rights and privileges of man, and public sentiment trampled them down, but according to their native brothers, the very behaviors and norms that they condemned and rebelled against in the United States, were the ones they employed in their relation with them (natives). That is, because they were not regarded as citizens in America, they too, did not recognize the indigenous inhabitants as citizens of the new Republic."
"In search of a leader to break this un-precedented yoke, the Liberian people overwhelmingly elected youthful William V.S. Tubman as President of this nation. Tubman was one of the few leaders of the Republic who understood that a change of attitude by Liberians, especially the settlers toward the indigenous inhabitants was a pre-condition for economic development and National prosperity. So, Tubman made unification and integration his paramount priority upon becoming president in 1944."
"At his first unification council held in Harper, Maryland County, he frowned on the bellicose relations between the settlers and indigenous Liberians and called on them to register a new era of cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between the two communities."
"President Tubman challenged the settlers and the indigenous people to build a new and noble period of justice, equality and tranquility regardless of tribes and economic status. In the spirit of the unification program, the constitution was amended in 1945, making the indigenous population eligible to serve in the House of Representatives, and in the following year, women were granted the right to vote."
"Though Tubman was described by his critics as a benevolent despot, this political change was an eye-opener for charismatic and influential native chiefs to push open the doors to the lower house of Parliament to speak for their people. Probably the “Unification and Integration policy, being the center of true brotherhood and the corridor of political amalgamation, ushered into the house of Representatives for the first time such natives as Wehyeepa Paye, Gblorzuo Toweh, Tuazama, Boto Barclay, Barsee Kpangbai, Amulai Sanor, Korpuwee, Johnny Voka, Willie Belleh, among others. "
"Though this policy of the late Tubman was seen by his critics as an escape path from the cave, the light of constituency representation has, however, continue to shine since then. Under the expansion policy of his government, Tubman created additional counties, including Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, etc. and held executive council throughout the length and breadth of the country with the aim of explaining the policy of his government to his people, uniting them, identifying their development needs, as well as a way of bridging the communication gap between the hinter Landers and central government. The opening of the Nimba and Bomi mountains, the construction of schools and clinics in the hinterland and the building of roads from the capitol to the interior further buttressed his unification and integration policy. "
"In a country of sixteen (16) different local languages of diverse cultural orientation, one may see mending their socio-cultural and political differences as Mount Kilimanjaro, that is, insurmountable. Tubman took the challenge head-on, especially on the line of political accommodation, which was not the case during the days of Joseph Jenkins Robert until the Tubman’s Administration. There were powerful chiefs during the Tubman’s administration, such as Suakoko, Jallah Lone, Lango Lippy, Kpaku Taingay Dahn Laymengbe, Wehyee Dorlea, Baseegia, and Bona Suah, some of whom were his personal friends."
"His system of political inclusion, which began with chieftaincy, the position of district commissioner and later the lower house of Parliament, can be described as the “renaissance of a change of the political tide for every Liberian. The dream of Tubman was to ensure that the children of the natives and those of the settlers see each other as brothers and sisters, and peacefully co-exist. This dream has today become a great success in the face of his unification and integration policy. Natives and settlers are today members of the same political parties, share common interest and offices, and above all, are engaged in open inter-marriage system."
"As we celebrate the late William V. S. Tubman’s 112th birth anniversary, Liberians need to retrospect and retie the string of unification and integration after fifteen years of civil war, which split this once unified nation, so that Liberians will no more go to war with each other. Tubman was a teacher, Lawyer and a senator before becoming President of the Republic of Liberia for 27 years. Bravo President Tubman and congratulations on your 112th birth anniversary."
I am Thomas G. Bedell, I speak and work on the ground in Liberia.
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