Attacks On Liberian Ballers: Ballers Of Liberia Unite!

(May 17, 2005)

 

There are four stages ballers go through to attain progress and perfection in the ballgame.

 

1st, the body is a machine. And we accept it! But we put it through rigorous training and rehearsal to achieve the maximum peak of development.

 

2nd, we identify with the situation in which we demonstrate our talents and skills. For example, the ballpark! We take into consideration the landscape, gears (equipment, shirts, colors) and the weather. We respect our audience and their anticipation. We come face-to-face with man-made and natural factors. All of which appear in different forms as visible and invisible factors integral to the whole scheme of things. Because they all influence our abilities and actions. And forcibly come to bear significantly on our performance on and off the field of play.

 

3rd, we define ourselves by what we do. Our individual positions serve as an intricate and intrinsic defining thread weaving the path to teamwork and victory. We achieve it because of teamwork which is the key to success. As such, one baller cannot be eliminated without experiencing a negative impact on the ballgame and a ball club.

 

4th, ballers are representatives. We function for others. And at the same time we maintain our individual and unique qualities and identities (accuracy, endurance, discipline, grace, speed &c.). All of these propel us into a process with expected and unexpected physical consequences that we hate, but are bound to encounter, come what may.

 

And that’s why we place our physical bodies between the “rock and the hard place” to stand and represent what fans dream of. To meet this challenge, we burn our bodies in the fire of our wills to achieve the maximum result for all onlookers and fans.

 

As ballers our minds are always in training and practice to sacrificially be used to import the anticipation of onlookers and fans at our own physical and mental risks.

 

So for Dr. Fahnbulleh to question George Weah’s contribution as a footballer, is tantamount to ungratefulness. More so, by referring to him as an “Illiterate footballer” goes “below the belt.”  No Liberian person selects to be illiterate! It is a societal ill which must be tackled by all citizens and the government in unison!

 

Dr. Fahnbulleh offends all ballers because we’ve strive to defend and raise Liberia’s name just as others do in different capacities. Ballers have left their flesh and blood on the ball-headed field in the Antoinette Tubman Ballpark. And have done so in other ballparks throughout Africa and the world. Best of all Weah climaxed it all in the Wimbledon Ballpark. And so let’s give him is dues!

Wanni-boToe, David Mombo, Garretson Sackor, Benedict Wesseh, Anthony Gray, James “Salinsa” Debah, George Weah, Dionysius Sebwe, Simon Mattar, Isaac McIntosh, Pewu Bestman, Samson Roberts, Ezekiel Doe, Robert Clark (just to name a few) have made significant contributions to Liberia that no academician can write-off on the score board of academia! These  ballers’ contributions are immeasurable, priceless and timeless.

 

So for Dr. Fahnbulleh to attack George Weah as a footballer clearly indicates his sense of the game and the sacrifices thereof. He must comprehend and grant ballers their dues! Otherwise, he could be apprehended for unfairness, especially so when he attempts to compare Weah and Gwenigale on unequal terms.

 

George Weah and Gwenigale are not the same. Comparing both men is an insult to the injury of calling baller “Illiterate” and questioning their contributions. Weah and Gwenigale are two different individuals. Both men find themselves in two separate and different spheres of expertise. And so their contributions to Liberia can never be the same. Moreover, one is not better than the other!

 

Those who preach theories in class room are as good as those who demonstrate discipline, accuracy and give up sweat and blood in a ballpark for their country. They sacrificially expose themselves to physical struggles and pain. And groom their minds to withstand the pressure.

 

George Weah pulled himself by his soccer boots strap to reach the peak of world recognition as well as other ballers have done in academia.

 

So, to question Weah and ballers’ contributions and at the same time compare Weah to Gwenigale is an unfair act!

 

Dr. Gene Ray once observed, “Greenwich Time is a Lie. Your midday is someone else's midnight, someone else's sundown and even someone else's sunup.”

 

So, Dr. Fahnbulleh’s support for Dr. Gwenigale is entirely his right! But in this political process, one must understand that every citizen has his or her own candidate to support. And whomever one supports, his or her contributions to the country, should not be considered better than others’.

 

So, Dr. Fahnbulleh’s support for Dr. Gwenigale is not a bad move on his part! But he should not do so at the expense of Liberian ballers in general and George Weah in particular! For the dues Liberian ballers have paid to the nation are dear, timeless and priceless.

 

I hope and pray Dr. Fahnbulleh agrees with me! And will not take fraternal Liberian ballers for granted! Because attacking one is tantamount to attacking all! Liberian ballers have pulled themselves by their soccer boot straps! And so we are ready to pull our country by its socioeconomic and political boot strap!

 

Who knows? Through our participation and support for the right candidates, we might emerged as “saviors” of our country and save it from impending doom!

BEDELL SPEAKS!!

GEESAYFANNOKON@YAHOO.COM/OSYGEFO@HOTMAIL.COM/OSYGEFO@BRIGHT.NET

 

 

 

Attacks On Liberian Ballers: Ballers Of Liberia Unite!

(By: Thomas G. Bedell, May 17, 2005)

 

 

There are four stages ballers go through to attain progress and perfection in the ballgame.

 

1st, the body is a machine. And we accept it! But we put it through rigorous training and rehearsal to achieve the maximum peak of development.

 

2nd, we identify with the situation in which we demonstrate our talents and skills. For example, the ballpark! We take into consideration the landscape, gears (equipment, shirts, colors) and the weather. We respect our audience and their anticipation. We come face-to-face with man-made and natural factors. All of which appear in different forms as visible and invisible factors integral to the whole scheme of things. Because they all influence our abilities and actions. And forcibly come to bear significantly on our performance on and off the field of play.

 

3rd, we define ourselves by what we do. Our individual positions serve as an intricate and intrinsic defining thread weaving the path to teamwork and victory. We achieve it because of teamwork which is the key to success. As such, one baller cannot be eliminated without experiencing a negative impact on the ballgame and a ball club.

 

4th, ballers are representatives. We function for others. And at the same time we maintain our individual and unique qualities and identities (accuracy, endurance, discipline, grace, speed &c.). All of these propel us into a process with expected and unexpected physical consequences that we hate, but are bound to encounter, come what may.

 

And that’s why we place our physical bodies between the “rock and the hard place” to stand and represent what fans dream of. To meet this challenge, we burn our bodies in the fire of our wills to achieve the maximum result for all onlookers and fans.

 

As ballers our minds are always in training and practice to sacrificially be used to import the anticipation of onlookers and fans at our own physical and mental risks.

 

So for Dr. Fahnbulleh to question George Weah’s contribution as a footballer, is tantamount to ungratefulness. More so, by referring to him as an “Illiterate footballer” goes “below the belt.”  No Liberian person selects to be illiterate! It is a societal ill which must be tackled by all citizens and the government in unison!

 

Dr. Fahnbulleh offends all ballers because we’ve strive to defend and raise Liberia’s name just as others do in different capacities. Ballers have left their flesh and blood on the ball-headed field in the Antoinette Tubman Ballpark. And have done so in other ballparks throughout Africa and the world. Best of all Weah climaxed it all in the Wimbledon Ballpark. And so let’s give him is dues!

Wanni-boToe, David Mombo, Garretson Sackor, Benedict Wesseh, Anthony Gray, James “Salinsa” Debah, George Weah, Dionysius Sebwe, Simon Mattar, Isaac McIntosh, Pewu Bestman, Samson Roberts, Ezekiel Doe, Robert Clark (just to name a few) have made significant contributions to Liberia that no academician can write-off on the score board of academia! These  ballers’ contributions are immeasurable, priceless and timeless.

 

So for Dr. Fahnbulleh to attack George Weah as a footballer clearly indicates his sense of the game and the sacrifices thereof. He must comprehend and grant ballers their dues! Otherwise, he could be apprehended for unfairness, especially so when he attempts to compare Weah and Gwenigale on unequal terms.

 

George Weah and Gwenigale are not the same. Comparing both men is an insult to the injury of calling baller “Illiterate” and questioning their contributions. Weah and Gwenigale are two different individuals. Both men find themselves in two separate and different spheres of expertise. And so their contributions to Liberia can never be the same. Moreover, one is not better than the other!

 

Those who preach theories in class room are as good as those who demonstrate discipline, accuracy and give up sweat and blood in a ballpark for their country. They sacrificially expose themselves to physical struggles and pain. And groom their minds to withstand the pressure.

 

George Weah pulled himself by his soccer boots strap to reach the peak of world recognition as well as other ballers have done in academia.

 

So, to question Weah and ballers’ contributions and at the same time compare Weah to Gwenigale is an unfair act!

 

Dr. Gene Ray once observed, “Greenwich Time is a Lie. Your midday is someone else's midnight, someone else's sundown and even someone else's sunup.”

 

So, Dr. Fahnbulleh’s support for Dr. Gwenigale is entirely his right! But in this political process, one must understand that every citizen has his or her own candidate to support. And whomever one supports, his or her contributions to the country, should not be considered better than others’.

 

So, Dr. Fahnbulleh’s support for Dr. Gwenigale is not a bad move on his part! But he should not do so at the expense of Liberian ballers in general and George Weah in particular! For the dues Liberian ballers have paid to the nation are dear, timeless and priceless.

 

I hope and pray Dr. Fahnbulleh agrees with me! And will not take fraternal Liberian ballers for granted! Because attacking one is tantamount to attacking all! Liberian ballers have pulled themselves by their soccer boot straps! And so we are ready to pull our country by its socioeconomic and political boot strap!

 

Who knows? Through our participation and support for the right candidates, we might emerged as “saviors” of our country and save it from impending doom!

The Either-Or” Concept Is Driving Liberians Nuts!

 (Thomas Bedell, January 16, 2007)

 

Liberians like to think in terms of extreme opposites. They are given to formulating their socioeconomic, political and religious beliefs in terms of “Either-Ors.” They recognize no intermediate possibilities. When forced to recognize that the extremes cannot be acted upon, they still are inclined to hold that they are all right in theory. But when it comes to practical matters, circumstances, very seldom, compel them to compromise.

 

In disputes, misunderstandings and separation of people, in Liberia, it is either one way or the other; either you are a friend or an enemy; either you are “right” or “wrong”; either you are “progressive” or “reactionary”; either you are “civilized” or you are “country”’ either you are Congau or native. Or either-you-are-for-me-or-you-are-against-me.

 

Apparently, that’s why there is no middle class. Because you are either darn poor or darn rich. Either you are one of the “haves” or “have-nots.” Academically, either you are highly educated or you are darn illiterate. Religiously, you are either a Christian or a “heathen.”

 

Such a practice continues to place the Liberian nation on the “cutting edge.”

 

In the Church, the congregation is either with the priest or out of the church. Anyone who criticizes the bishop, is an “enemy” to the Church. If you question “creation,” you’re a “pagan.” In the family, there are those with “nice” hair and others with “nappy” hair; light skin and dark skin; educated and illiterates. Those born in wedlock and out of wedlock. And the competition goes on. The same applies to the state – there are those who feel “entitled” and those who are not; and there are those who feel more “qualified.” Criticize a President, and you are an “enemy” to the state. 

 

The “Either-Or” situation reigns supreme. Everyone must take sides. No one should be neutral. For to be neutral provokes distaste and immeasurable pains. Because neutrality is treated with contempt and suspicion. Once you take a side in a dispute, you are required to defend it, no matter what. You have to have a tunnel-vision, irrespective of evidence in the contrary. Once you choose a side, it is your side and it is always “right” and the other side is always “wrong.” But if you have a change of mind on a particular issue, you have to jump over to the opposite side, not in the middle; By jumping over to the opposite side, you win respect from both sides of the dispute. Because neutrality provokes vengeance from both sides. And it is considered a “sell-out” or indecisiveness!

 

This “Either-Or” concept has been around for quite some time. I’m not sure how long. But I know for sure it is a tendency that is destroying the Liberian society.

 

During the 1979 rice riot, people took sides. The line between the “for” and the “against” was sharp. Those who supported the forceful removal of the government stood their ground. And those in opposition did the same. After the violent overthrow of the government on April 12, 1980, the “fors” stormed the streets and made their position clear. The “against” were forced to hibernate. Due to the lack of no compromise, national matters degenerated into a generalized anarchy of violence. And everyone indiscriminately paid a dear price, irrespective of the side he or she was on.

 

In 1995 the first “All Liberian Conference” convened in Atlanta, Georgia. The second convened in 2004. Both conferences exhibited the “Either-Or” tendency. Two groups emerged: those in favor of dissolving The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas’ (ULAA) and those oppose to the dissolution. Both groups refused to compromise. None moved to the center. Each remained in the extreme. In the end, both groups failed on every count. But it didn’t matter to them whether or not they failed; what mattered to them was to keep their supporters on their side without allowing any of them to move towards the center for a fruitful compromise.

 

Some Liberians call this tendency, keeping “principles.” I call it keeping barring “principles” and sacrificing the future and lives of innocent people for no reason other than stupidity.

 

In all of these cases, Liberians take sides not because they believe the side they take is right or that the issue that defines their sides, is correct. But they do so because, it is customary; in any dispute in Liberian communities, people have to take sides in order to prove their allegiance to their friends, coworkers, relatives, tribal colleagues, ideology, &c. 

 

As I write, seemingly it is the President of the Republic versus the Speaker of The House – Ellen & Edwin. Both are seemingly locking horns, politically. At least, that’s what we are being told. So Liberians are taking sides. Edwin’s supporters believe Ellen’s desire is to remove Edwin as speaker. And Ellen’s supporters believe, Edwin’s desire is to remove Ellen as President. Right in there, there is no middle ground and no moral center. Both supporters are clashing from the left to the right without recognizing any intermediate possibilities for a fruitful compromise.

 

No one dares to create a political center of gravity. Because, this is the Liberian “way”- everybody must take sides. Otherwise, if the “gravy train” arrives on either side and one is not a part, he or she is bound to be left in the “cold.”  And no one wishes to be in the “cold.”

 

Today, The Liberian House of Representatives is split. One part sits in one city, and the other part in another city. From there, proverbial stones and inflammatory rhetoric are flying across town. The saddest thing is, their constituents have no part to play in these decisions. Because everything is personal. Either you are for the Speaker or you are against the Speaker. Simply put, “Romeo” must die!

 

Looking at things from this distance, the “Either-Or” concept is gradually eating up the fabric of our country. Unless we learn to develop a political center of gravity, where we can converged to compromise and reconcile our differences, we are doomed to perish in the relics of backwardness!

 

 

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia and a victim of police brutality.

 

 

 

Splits Among Liberians Are Not New, Only The End-Results Are Different!

(Thomas Bedell, January 17, 2007)

 

History to a people is what a mother is to a child. For the past is a kaleidoscope of promises, failures, victories and embarrassments. The idea of splits in the Liberian society, is nothing new. What is new is the end-result that comes with each split. As far as the history of splits are concerned among Liberians, the end-results have not been encouraging. They’ve scathed our people for too long.

 

In 1985, heavyweight politicians met to form an alliance, but due to mistrust, they ended up in a split. And Samuel Doe whom they called a “dictator,” ended up winning the election as President. From thereon, the stage for generalized anarchy of violence was set. And Liberia became a “house” on fire!

 

In 1985 it happened again. After all political attempts failed to remove Doe, Gen. Quiwonkpa and some political heavyweights launched a military offensive. When they arrived in Sierra Leone, a split occurred in their ranks. So, when Quiwonkpa momentarily overthrew Doe, he failed. And Doe reemerged and seized power. Consequently, Quiwonkpa was arrested, humiliated and bludgeoned to death along with some of his coworkers and innocent Liberians. That particular event shifted violence into higher gear in the country.

 

Then 1989 marked another split.

 

Charles Taylor, with the help of some Liberian political-heavyweights, organized the most vicious, bloodiest and all-time military offensive against Doe. Just when the offensive gained momentum, a split appeared. And the group broke into two; then into three. In no time, there were several warring factions plunging the nation into chaos and bloodbath! 

 

1990 was another date when the “All Liberian Conference” convened in Atlanta, Georgia. A split occurred.

 

One group desired the dissolution of The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) and the other was in opposition. Both failed to compromise. Soon, the impasse was transformed into the birth of The All Liberian Conference of North America, as a new Diasporic organization trying to replace ULAA. But in the end, Diasporic Liberians were plunged into a state of confusion. ULAA on one side and the new organization on the other fussing and fighting. This situation lasted for a protracted period of time leaving both groups and Diasporic Liberians scathed.

 

Then came 1995; the war had already taken a severe toll on the nation – tens and tens of thousands of innocent citizens perished in the chilling waters of national quagmire. To heal the wounds, democratic elections were called. But again, political heavyweights failed to form another alliance. As a resort of a split, Taylor won the election and became President. Thereafter, the stage was set for the collapse of constitutional and democratic institutions.

 

And then comes 2004 - Liberians in the Diaspora convene another “All Liberian National Conference” in the DC Metro Area, USA. The intent was to help usher in a new, sound and civilian democratic leadership in the country during the 2005 elections. But for obvious reasons, a split appeared in the Conference. Soon, there were two groups. Each registered under the corporate laws of USA as two separate legal entities. Like the current House of Representatives in Liberia, these two groups convened separate conferences in two separate cities. In the end, both groups lost sight of the initial intent and became monuments of decay. To date, besides their Articles of Incorporation, both groups have become a ghostly illusion. 

 

Another split occurred in 2005.

 

The war was over and the nation and the world were felt-up. So, another presidential election was arranged. This time, tens and tens of candidates emerged to vie for the presidency. War-fatigued Liberians were forced into another difficult situation - choosing from dozens and dozens of candidates. As was the case in the past, political heavyweights split in the middle. So the alliance fell apart. In the end, the people were forced to elect a Congress and other leaders to power who had no clue of their respective duties to the Liberian state, people and constituents.  

 

Considering all the above, the current split in The House of Representatives cannot, by any stretch of anyone’s imagination, be an accident. It was bound to occur. But what should concern all of us is the end-result. Will the result help to educate members of the House to be statesmen and women or drive them more into useless strife? Whatever the answer is, will depend on what comes out of the split.

 

Unless Liberians rid themselves of colonial mentality and begin to work in the sole interest of their children’s future, there will always be splits and the end-results will be catastrophic!

 

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia and a victim of police brutality.

 

 

 

My Personal Declaration!

(Authored March 15, 2005) 

1.       I, Thomas G. Bedell, do hereby declare to all peace-loving Liberians and my detractors as well as enemies of peace that in my BEDELL SPEAKS online publication, I shall continue to pursue the process of truth, genuine peace, reconciliation and full human understanding via scholarship!

2.       I shall speak fearlessly to Truth and express my opinion on matters of relevance to the process of community development in the Diaspora and at home in Liberia with no malice, prejudice and provocation to/for or against anyone!

3.       In so doing, I promise never to hide under the cover of darkness with fake email name (s) as others do to harm the reputation of innocent Liberians who may not agree with their ideologies and/or philosophical assumptions. I condemn, with all I can command from the roof of my tongue, those who engage in such unhealthy intellectual exercise representing accomplices of the worse grade; I shall remain visible as I have always done from time immemorial, in advancing my ideas, philosophy and opinions under my legal name for the BEDELL SPEAKS online publication and/or any of my authorships!

4.       I declare, I shall always take full responsibility of my authorship! Any disagreement with anyone shall be clearly, fearlessly and respectfully expressed in a personal, private and/or public manner!

5.       By so doing, I vow never to accuse any man or woman falsely and if, in the event I do, I shall seek amends as a devout unorthodox Christian!

6.       So my promise to serve my community, organization and people is on my honor as a true social justice advocate base on the Principles of Christianity - Love For Humanity!

7.       I shall therefore maintain every support for peace & reconciliatory efforts by Liberians everywhere, including The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA)! My support in this regard is unflinching and unshakable!

8.       Thus, I’m indebted to every generation of leaders of ULAA dependent on its policies and programs!

9.       My promise to practice community development with full human tolerance and acceptance for all is uncompromising!

10.   With this conviction and understanding, I unequivocally and without mixing words, condemn violence inflicted through fake email addresses with intent to terrorize our community and provoke chaos in ULAA! I do so with all I can command from the roof of my tongue!

11.   Individuals who engaged in such acts of intimidation and terrorism MUST desist from such unwholesome acts!

12.   I’m grateful to those who author their differences, opinions, philosophical assumptions and ideologies under their legal names whether or not everyone agrees with their opinions. It indicates they have clear intent and wish to enhance intellectual discourse!

13.   Indeed, I encourage every author to pen his or her legal name to any document intended for public & civil consumption! I discourage the use of fake email names with intent to harm innocent Liberians.

 

Finally, I call upon all Liberians whose wish it is to see a flourishing nation under our academic education and true civilization to fall in line. We cannot continue to deceive ourselves into believing we can go on living a lie and then point fingers to “wrongdoers” while expecting strangers to solve our national problems! The solutions of our problems lie with us! Either we solve it or it will swallow us permanently!

 

Godspeed!

 

 

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia and a victim of police brutality 

April 14, 1979: The Way I See It!

(April 12, 2007)

 

In my personal opinion, the April 14, 1979 protest demonstration which degenerated into a riot was a total national disaster; it set the stage for backwardness and generalized anarchy of violence! The proposed increase in the price of rice that supposedly provoked the riot still continues to haunt the nation – rice price is rising astronomically in Liberia. And it will continue to do so as long as it is imported. And as long as the global economic brick wall continues to collapse on Liberian banks and businesses, the price will continue to rise!

My belief is, Liberia could have advanced into its inheritance in terms of infrastructure and human resource development successfully had the riot not occurred. Our Civilization would have still been intact; Law & Order would have improved; illiteracy would have plummeted; tribal unity upgraded; national progress enhanced. And the nation would have moved with a jet-like speed into its inheritance as one of the world’s growing economy power-plants, Africa’s “Melting Pot” and God’s Promise to African Peoples. But sadly indeed, April 14 impeded progress. It produced a failed-state; caused the death of tens and tens of thousands of innocent Liberians. And plunged the nation 100 years backwards.

Constitutionally and democratically, citizens can protest. But it has to be in conformity with the Rule of Law, the safety & protection of the people and national security. But the opposite was true in the case of April 14. It was an exercise of anarchy at its highest peak! It plunged Liberia into irreparable decadence. The organizers - The Progressive Alliance of Liberia (PAL) – failed to protect the interest & safety of the citizens; failed to protect National Security; ignored the economic interest of the state. And worse of all, it destroyed democratic institutions, including the Presidency and undermined the democratic process and the growth of the state.

No doubt in my mind, PAL was conscious of the situation in the country. And so it knew the Liberian masses were inexperienced in terms of mass protest demonstration. PAL seemingly had no clue how to respond in case of a riot.

PAL also was quite aware of the government’s inexperience in handling a mass protest of such magnitude. Yet, PAL brought both the government and people face-to-face into confrontation. So when the protest degenerated into a riot, both the government and the people lost their senses and the walls of violence came crumbling down. The masses ran wild, ransacked properties, hindered the economy and compromised national security. And on the other hand, the government overreacted! And when that happened, innocent citizens died and private property was destroyed. Like a confused deer caught in a vehicle headlight, PAL became helpless. And stood motionless causing confusion and violence to engulf the nation and declare it a “House” of cards to be demolished by the guts of ill-wind.

All things considered, April 14 was unnecessary! Because the government was already caving into the demands of the people. But because of PAL’s defiance and determination to put the government against the people and vice versus, it allowed all hell to break loose causing the chain reaction of violence to unfold throughout the country!

Twenty-eight years after the riot, the purpose for which it was executed – reduction in the price of rice – has not yet been achieved!

In fact, the proposed government’s price that supposedly provoked the riot, has not been reduced up to the moment I opine. Worse of all, two Liberian presidents have been murdered in cold-blood while one lingers in foreign prison as tens and tens of thousands of innocent Liberians lay low in unmarked graves. The rest are now struggling in the chilling water of national quagmire.

All being said, April 14 was a fiasco! It virtually did no good for the country and its people! Rather, it set the entire nation on the path of generalized anarchy of violence!

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia and a victim of police brutality

 

22 March 2007 Is “World Water Day”: Wrapping Our Minds Around REAL Solutions

(Authored March 6, 2007)

In my personal opinion, Liberians spend unnecessary time bragging of academic degrees, personal accomplishments, engaging personality antagonism and trying to prove their smarts by outdoing each other rather than involving in the Reconstruction process of the country. Most, if not all, Diasporic Liberian organizations fail for these reasons as mounting preventable health problems consume the nation. To date, environmental pollution has reached an alarming stage to capture our attention and contaminated water and diseases are destroying Liberians astronomically.

 

March 22 is “World Water Day” designated by The UN General Assembly in 1992 to promote awareness of the 1.1 billion people who have no access to safe and clean drinking water. Like any other day, women and children in the developing world, including Liberia, will spend hours collecting water for family’s needs. The average distance they will walk to collect water on their heads weighing 44 lbs, is nearly four miles. Liberian girls growing up without water will be far less likely to attend school because they spend hours walking to and from the nearest contaminated water source to fetch water for their families.

 

On March 22, this year, according to The World Health Organization (WHO), more than 13,000 people worldwide, including Liberians, will die from preventable water-related diseases. Out of that number, 6,000 will be innocent kids.

 

Water, as one of the most important substances in the world is 66% of the human body and 75% of the human brain. That means safe and clean water is needed each and every day for human survival!

 

WHO confirms that half of the world’s hospital beds, including Liberia, are occupied with patients suffering from water-borne diseases. It also claims that unsafe water is the world’s number one killer responsible for 80% of all sickness in the world. And that 2.6 billion people in the world have no basic sanitation as one child dies every fifteen seconds from water-related diseases. The WHO also confirms diarrhea causes 1.8 million deaths each year as cholera and the prevalence of water-borne diseases increase because many poor households in many developing countries, including Liberia, are forced to rely on contaminated water. Drinking polluted water continues to cause the spread of infectious diseases serving as the single largest killers of infants in developing countries.

 

All of these staggering statistics can be factored into the Liberian reality.

 

Today, most Liberian women still carry water on their heads for several miles from contaminated water sources in the country. To date, too many Liberian girls stay out of school because they spend time fetching water for their families. Reportedly, closed to half of the Liberian population lingers in hospital beds due to preventable water-borne diseases. Out of more than 13,000 people that die daily in the world, of which 6,000 are kids, Liberians form an integral part of that number. Evidently, Liberians will have to wrap their minds around REAL solutions and disengage personality antagonism to attend to these problems.

 

These statistics make it imperative for Liberians to move beyond self-righteousness, blame-game and unnecessary complaints. Because the Liberian political situation is not as bad as we think. All we need to do is leave the past into the past. And move into the future with certainty to maximize our possibilities by embarking upon the following goals to assist our government:

 

·          provide desperately needed safe drinking water for our people to prevent water-borne diseases and deaths

·          attend to our environment by beginning to clean our cities, towns, streets, air &c.

·          provide safe and healthy working environment for our workers

·          encourage education which is relevant to national development

·          find ways and means to tackle malaria, HIV/AIDS &c.

·          help to link the villages to the cities

·          help in narrowing the digital and ethnic divide

·          encourage Liberian entrepreneurship

·          volunteer service in all aspects of nation-building 

 

These goals are sustainable and attainable with a clear vision. The requirement is to wrap our minds around REAL solutions because our help is crucial to the success of our Government and country.