Thu Dec 7, 2006 9:52 am
Dear Senator Archie Bernard: The following points summarize my opinion which is a direct response to your claims submitted on the ULIBSAAFORUM:
1. Senator Bernard: We have a fundamental question here: The nation which is Liberia is currently gripped in a barbwire of continued miseducation and misinformation linked to doctrinal decay. Do you know this?
2. In Liberia we lack the sound judgment to determine exactly what our national "problems" are and what is responsible for them.
3. This backward tendency makes us clinch to symptoms rather than the cause of the "problem" we intend to solve. we harbor a fake sense and hope of alleviating the "problem" through osmosis.
4. Each time we tackle the symptom of the "problem", we create new problems. And each time we struggle with the symptom, we sink deeper into the quicksand of time.
5. Sen. Bernard, what is obtaining in Liberia is nothing new. When Tubman died, I am told, some Liberians were in the street jubilating. Why? Because they thought the "problem" responsible for the backwardness of Liberia which was associated with Tubman would go with Tubman in the grave.
6. When President Tolbert was assassinated, some Liberians also rejoiced; I know this because I was around at the time. I mean i was matured enough to know on my own. Some Liberians were hoping the "problem" associated with our leaders like Tolbert would also disappear along with Tolbert when he was assassinated.
7. When President Doe was bludgeoned to death in the public by another Liberian citizen, some Liberians danced and jubilated in the streets; they too thought the "problem" associated with him like all others that came before him,would also die with Doe.
8. When President Taylor was kicked through the back-door into Nigeria and then to Europe, some Liberians, I am told, danced and celebrated as well; I wasn't around. I was in the Diaspora. Those Liberians that were jubilating believed at the time that the "problem" which they thought was centered around Taylor, would go with Taylor in the Diaspora, especially in the Hague.
9. In all these cases, Liberians are as wrong as they can be. Because the national "problem" which they thought or still think is found in their leaders, still persists, even though those leaders are dead, imprisoned and gone.
10. Certain Liberians are under fire for "corruption" in Liberia. Again, there's jubilation and dancing in the streets with the fake hope "corruption" will be wiped out as soon as they put their hands on the perceived corrupt officials.
11. Studies and experiences teach us that Liberians will continue to be wrong as long as they view & wish to solve their "problem" on the periphery without taking a fundamental approach.
12. Liberians will continue to kill their leaders - both “good” & “bad” - and remain at each other's throats until they damage their country permanently.
13. Unless and until, Liberians begin to review the various doctrines that undercut their educational, socioeconomic & political systems for improvement, perish will they.
14. So every time Liberians think by ridding themselves of one group that they consider as the "problem," the more grounds they lay for their own self-destruction.
15. Essentially, corruption is an intrinsic value of our political system. Lies are embedded on our national psyche. To minimize all of these, we have to attack the foundational question, rather than ONLY prosecuting and persecuting individuals.
16. Because if the "problem" were locked in individuals, then the deaths of Presidents Tubman, Tolbert, Doe and the imprisonment of Taylor, would have solved our national “problem” long ago.
17. But since we all have learned that the opposite is true, we then need to begin to overhaul and re-examine our system of governance and education for improvement.
18. And there's where the redemption of Liberia lies. Anything in the contrary is to do nothing but anarchy and hypocrisy!
19. Power & titles are illusory. Personalities will come and go. But ideas will remain forever. All that is required of us as Liberians is to deal with ideas and not preach disorder.
I am,
Thomas G. Bedell
Friday, 12 November 2010
Friday, 5 November 2010
Maryland County: Tubman University Agrees to pay Honorarium to Former TC Employees
In the 70s, the late President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. Dr. William V. S. Tubman dream became a reality - The William V. S. Tubman College of Technology was built and operational. Before its closure, it graduated a huge number of Liberian and citizens of other sister African countries.
In 1989, a generalized anarchy of violence was unleashed in Liberia setting the stage for a brutal uncivil war. Tens and tens of hundreds of thousands of Liberian citizens and residents died. The violence went across the entire country. Suddenly, The Tubman College of Technology (TC) was forced to shut down. When the violence ceased 14 years later, the citizens returned home from refugee camps around the world to start their lives all over again. When the College reopened, it became a university. It is named after the same late President. Instead of Tubman College of Technology, it is now called, Tubman University (TU).
The "Aggrieve" workers of TC began to demand their wages from TU. According to them their wages were outstanding prior to the closing of TC. They could not convince TU administration. So TU administration refused to take responsibility for the liabilities of TC on grounds the Legislature had dissolved TC and established TU. TU administration claimed it had no record to identify previous employees of TC and their wages that were under question. And this is because the war had destroyed all the Records of TC. As such, TU could not pay any of the TC workers.
This negotiation between TU and the TC "Aggrieved" workers went on for two years without any successful agreement.
In June, 2010, the "Aggrieved" workers approached me to mediate on their behalf. I agreed and I did. Immediately, the TU administration agreed to pay them a Token for their services to TC. TU said it won't pay any outstanding salaries. I communicated this to the "Aggrieved" workers. After one week of perusal of TU's position, the "Aggrieve workers reached an agreement to accept what was being offer them. They told me that they had no choice but to get "something" than "nothing" at all. As such, I concluded the Agreement with TU. On November 1, 2010, all TC "Aggrieved" workers began to pick up their "Token." Below is the Public Service Announcement:
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
William V. S. Tubman University has resolved to give an Honorarium of USD $100 in its Liberian equivalent to Hundred & Seven (107) aggrieved former Employees of the William V. S. Tubman College of Technology (TC), as a Token for the services rendered before the closing of the college due to the Liberian Civil War. This settlement does not include former employees of TC that are currently employed at Tubman University. The period of this settlement is 90 days, commencing November 1, 2010.
In view of the above, all concerned individuals are hereby advised to report to the Finance office of Tubman University beginning November 1, 2010 to file and collect their claim. Two (2) 0f the following five (5) forms of identification are required:
1. Tubman College of Technology (TC) ID Card
2. Liberia’s Driver’s License
3. Liberian Birth Certificate
4. A Liberian property Deed (Original. No photo copy will be accepted)
5. A Pastor and/or Bishop to identify anyone who has only one of the above
NOTE: Surviving spouse and children of the deceased former employees of TC must submit marriage and death certificates of the deceased as one (1) of the two (2) forms of identification required.
Immediate relatives of deceased employees of TC are also advised to adhere to the aforementioned conditions.
APPROVED:
Mr. Thomas G. Bedell, MEDIATOR
Aggrieved Former Workers of TC
Dr. Joseph T. Isaac
VICE PRESIDENT for Administration
Tubman University
William V. S. Tubman University has resolved to give an Honorarium of USD $100 in its Liberian equivalent to Hundred & Seven (107) aggrieved former Employees of the William V. S. Tubman College of Technology (TC), as a Token for the services rendered before the closing of the college due to the Liberian Civil War. This settlement does not include former employees of TC that are currently employed at Tubman University. The period of this settlement is 90 days, commencing November 1, 2010.
In view of the above, all concerned individuals are hereby advised to report to the Finance office of Tubman University beginning November 1, 2010 to file and collect their claim. Two (2) 0f the following five (5) forms of identification are required:
1. Tubman College of Technology (TC) ID Card
2. Liberia’s Driver’s License
3. Liberian Birth Certificate
4. A Liberian property Deed (Original. No photo copy will be accepted)
5. A Pastor and/or Bishop to identify anyone who has only one of the above
NOTE: Surviving spouse and children of the deceased former employees of TC must submit marriage and death certificates of the deceased as one (1) of the two (2) forms of identification required.
Immediate relatives of deceased employees of TC are also advised to adhere to the aforementioned conditions.
APPROVED:
Mr. Thomas G. Bedell, MEDIATOR
Aggrieved Former Workers of TC
Dr. Joseph T. Isaac
VICE PRESIDENT for Administration
Tubman University
Maryland County: Pending Environmental, Political & Economic Woes
The Cavalla River swells to overflow. Transportation across the River is becoming more and more impossible. Rice, which is the staple food of Liberia and can only be transported to Maryland from the Ivory Coast, is becoming scarce in the County. As such, the population is getting nervous and nervous each day!
The Road from Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, to Maryland is extremely bad. Almost all sea vessels travelling to Maryland are sitting in the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean due to the many shipwrecks. No one is brave enough anymore to take a sea vessel to Maryland. The many shipwrecks that brought many deaths and destruction of poor people’s investment and personal belonging still haunts the people.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) controls the Air Space. UNMIL does not allow any Liberian citizen to travel to and from Maryland on any of its aircrafts without its permission. And if it does, one has to sign a Waiver on his or her life. Currently there’s no commercial airline in the area. In the event there’s one, the fare is extremely expensive for the poor to bear. Thus, nothing in terms of goods and services leaves and come to Maryland currently. The county is practically cutoff from the Republic of Liberia. Others think this means independence Maryland as it was until 1857!
There’s the Road problem. The Road to and from Monrovia to Maryland is completely cutoff. The current problem we face with the Road is now in Tapita (Nimba County) where it is completely cutoff. Between RiverGee and Maryland, the Road has become more difficult, if not impossible, to ply. As a result, goods cannot come to Maryland from Monrovia and parts adjacent. Shops as a result in the County, are empty. No milk, sugar, salt and basic goods and services. The Road from Pleebo (the commercial capital of Maryland) to Harper is a twenty-five minute driving time for motor car. That is ONLY when the Road is in good shape. In good time when the Road is good, it takes the motor bike ten minutes. Currently the condition of the Road from Harper to Pleebo can fairly be described as disastrous. Motor car now takes up to three hours and motor bikes up to two hours travel time. As a result, only NGO vehicles ply the Road. Why? Because they are 4wheel power trucks. And they are made for such conditions.
Sand mining is adding more insult to the injury. It has opened up the sand bridge between Lake Shepherd and the Atlantic Ocean. Notice, Lake Shepherd is the second largest lake in Liberia. Currently, the Ocean is flowing into the Lake overwhelmingly to overflow. Houses along the banks of the Lake are seriously in trouble. If the Local government does nothing about the sandmining in the area, Harper City may experience a Tsunami soon. If you know what I mean!
We have the Asbestos problem too. Churches and houses with Asbestos are becoming a fatal problem. Each time a storm hits, it breaks Asbestos from those structures. And each time that happens, Asbestos is disturbed. When the Asbestos is disturbed, it airbornes. According to research, when one inhales airborne Asbestos, chances are he or she will develop lung cancer and/or Asbestosis. Within 30 years that person will surely die. If this is true, the fact remains that within 30 years, many of us, including staff of International NGOs and The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and little innocent children, men and women will surely die within 30 years. It might be alright for those who are already 50 years old. Because if you add 30 to 50, you have 80 years person. And that person will have enjoyed his or her life already. As for the kids who fall in the ranges of 1 to 18 years old, that’s bad news. By the time they reach the point to enjoy life, they’ll be on the way to the grave yard. So, it is very necessary we launch a campaign to save our young.
As for politics of leadership, it is very bad. And that’s my opinion! Local and legislative leadership is extremely weak and backwards. Maryland County is 30 years backward in terms of infrastructure and human resource development. Harper City is closed to being a village. If the streets were not built with concrete by our forerunners, every street in the City would become a footpath. The example is visible on Marsh, Thompson and McGill streets. In fact, the concrete streets are splitting as if an earthquake has gone through the area. Printing Street is worse off. Maryland Avenue, right in the heart of the City, around Roxy Cinema, is a total mess. If repairs are not done, ten years from now, there will be no concrete streets in Harper City. The City shall return back into the Stone Age. This is no joke!
Pleebo, the Commercial Capital of Maryland, is worse off. Pleebo is the industrial heart of Maryland. All the giant corporations that come to Maryland are stationed in Pleebo. Unfortunately, none of them contribute to the development of the City and its inhabitants. In Rainy season, Pleebo is a total mess. Mud overcomes everything else. One cannot travel to Pleebo and expects to remain clean of mud. In the Dry Season, the situation remains the same. Dust fills every part of Pleebo. One cannot expect to go to Pleebo in clean clothing and expect to return looking the same. Dust covers every aspect of life in Pleebo. All the nostrils you see are clogged with dust. This is a health hazard! It is a no-win-situation!
The Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) has been in operation without signing a Concession Agreement. It has promised to do so once the Government allows it to operate. When it was allowed to operate on its promise to sign a Concession Agreement later on, today there’s no sign for the Agreement. And this has been four years since it promised the people of Pleebo. As a result, Pleebo in particular and Maryland in general, receives no benefit at all. To add insult to the injury, SIFCA, which is the mother Company for CRC is bringing in another arm of its interest in the name of Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) to replace Decoris. This company too, promises to sign a Concession Agreement in due course if the Government allows it to begin operation. Out of the experience of CRC, the people of Pleebo are jittery about this promise. Therefore they are refusing to allow MOPP to operate without signing a Concession Agreement.
Malcolm X once observed, “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”
This situation in Pleebo regarding another company promising to operate before signing a Concession Agreement has caused many students, youths and senior citizens of the area to go to jail. Currently, the Maryland Legislative Caucus is split on the issue. Sens. John Akel Ballout and Gloria Musu Scott are rooting for MOPP to begin operation before it can sign any Concession Agreement. Dr. Bhofal Chambers disagrees. He is the sole elected representative of the Pleebo/Sodokeh district where this Company is expected to operate. Hands in gloves with the people of Pleebo/Sodokeh district, Dr. Chambers is giving his skin to defend his Constituents. The rivalry continues!
Politics in Maryland is becoming a get-rich-and-polarize-the-county game. Sens. Ballout and Scott have their hands locked in the problems in the County. Recently, the Circuit Court confirms that these two individuals lie on Cll Fulton Yancy. Sen. Ballout falsely informed the entire world that Cllr. Yancy had human blood stored in his home. After series of forensic examination outside Liberia, it has been established that the blood is chicken blood. Not human blood!
Previously, the Magisterial Court threw out charge of murder against Amb. H. Dan Morais. Ten others were released for lack of evidence. Look all through the bogus cases, Ballout and Scott’s finger prints are written all over them.
The armed hostilities between Rocktown and Wetchukeh, according to report, was provoked by Ballout and Scott for political benefit. In fact, Sen. Scott did everything in her power as a Senator to convict all the young kids who were arrested on cardboard box evidence. As a result, three innocent citizens’ lives were taken. The Representative of the Harper District, where this hostility took place, Hon. James Biney, did not foot in the area to sympathize with the bereave and console others. Instead, it was business as usual – they were in Monrovia having a great time on the Beer table.
Politics in Maryland is becoming a dangerous game. Come 2011, we are hoping better leaders will emerge.
None of the Congressional leaders have a home in Maryland. Hon. James Biney lives in his late step dad’s house. Gloria Scott snatched away her closest friend’s home. Her friend has had all her investment snatched away by the many shipwrecks. When the bank sought its loan from the friend of Gloria, the friend ran to Gloria for help. Instead of helping her friend, she took her friend’s only home and paid the bank back the loan. As a friend, one would think Gloria would pay her friend's debt. And then rent the home out and get back her money. And in the end turn her friend’s house over to her. But no! Gloria took advantage of the situation and snatched away her friend’s house. Today, she’s making profit out of the house by renting it out for her own good. Her friend is practically living in the streets. Predatory! Isn’t it?
Ballout is now building a motel in Harper. Shamelessly, he is building in the Cemetery on Maryland Avenue in Harper City. The Cemetery land is Public land. And no one can buy nor sell the land. But for some unknown reasons, Sen. Ballout owns a piece of land in the Cemetery. He’s building on top the graves of our Dear Departed. What sort of leadership do we have in Maryland that has no feeling for our Dear Departed?
Another problem is shipwreck. From 2004 to 2010 more than six ships wrecked. 99% of the passengers were Marylanders. Most, if not all, the dead are Marylanders. Majority of the victims are mainly women. Efforts to achieve Reparation is becoming impossible. Sen. Gloria Scott and John Ballout are serving as stumbling blocks to the effort. As has always been the case, these two Senators continue to mislead President Sirleaf into believing that Maryland is a violent County. And so the President continues to backslide on her promise to travel to Maryland to look into the shipwreck issue.
The President cannot get to Maryland by air, sea and land. All her Government officials that traveled to Maryland during the recent ship wreck, traveled through the Ivory Coast. Unless Sens. Ballout and Scott realize that Maryland economy will not grow until all the women who are victims of the many shipwrecks are compensated, Maryland County will continue to dwindle. That’s my opinion!
I am Thomas G. Bedell, I speak and work from on the ground in Liberia.
+231.692.0151
The Road from Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, to Maryland is extremely bad. Almost all sea vessels travelling to Maryland are sitting in the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean due to the many shipwrecks. No one is brave enough anymore to take a sea vessel to Maryland. The many shipwrecks that brought many deaths and destruction of poor people’s investment and personal belonging still haunts the people.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) controls the Air Space. UNMIL does not allow any Liberian citizen to travel to and from Maryland on any of its aircrafts without its permission. And if it does, one has to sign a Waiver on his or her life. Currently there’s no commercial airline in the area. In the event there’s one, the fare is extremely expensive for the poor to bear. Thus, nothing in terms of goods and services leaves and come to Maryland currently. The county is practically cutoff from the Republic of Liberia. Others think this means independence Maryland as it was until 1857!
There’s the Road problem. The Road to and from Monrovia to Maryland is completely cutoff. The current problem we face with the Road is now in Tapita (Nimba County) where it is completely cutoff. Between RiverGee and Maryland, the Road has become more difficult, if not impossible, to ply. As a result, goods cannot come to Maryland from Monrovia and parts adjacent. Shops as a result in the County, are empty. No milk, sugar, salt and basic goods and services. The Road from Pleebo (the commercial capital of Maryland) to Harper is a twenty-five minute driving time for motor car. That is ONLY when the Road is in good shape. In good time when the Road is good, it takes the motor bike ten minutes. Currently the condition of the Road from Harper to Pleebo can fairly be described as disastrous. Motor car now takes up to three hours and motor bikes up to two hours travel time. As a result, only NGO vehicles ply the Road. Why? Because they are 4wheel power trucks. And they are made for such conditions.
Sand mining is adding more insult to the injury. It has opened up the sand bridge between Lake Shepherd and the Atlantic Ocean. Notice, Lake Shepherd is the second largest lake in Liberia. Currently, the Ocean is flowing into the Lake overwhelmingly to overflow. Houses along the banks of the Lake are seriously in trouble. If the Local government does nothing about the sandmining in the area, Harper City may experience a Tsunami soon. If you know what I mean!
We have the Asbestos problem too. Churches and houses with Asbestos are becoming a fatal problem. Each time a storm hits, it breaks Asbestos from those structures. And each time that happens, Asbestos is disturbed. When the Asbestos is disturbed, it airbornes. According to research, when one inhales airborne Asbestos, chances are he or she will develop lung cancer and/or Asbestosis. Within 30 years that person will surely die. If this is true, the fact remains that within 30 years, many of us, including staff of International NGOs and The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and little innocent children, men and women will surely die within 30 years. It might be alright for those who are already 50 years old. Because if you add 30 to 50, you have 80 years person. And that person will have enjoyed his or her life already. As for the kids who fall in the ranges of 1 to 18 years old, that’s bad news. By the time they reach the point to enjoy life, they’ll be on the way to the grave yard. So, it is very necessary we launch a campaign to save our young.
As for politics of leadership, it is very bad. And that’s my opinion! Local and legislative leadership is extremely weak and backwards. Maryland County is 30 years backward in terms of infrastructure and human resource development. Harper City is closed to being a village. If the streets were not built with concrete by our forerunners, every street in the City would become a footpath. The example is visible on Marsh, Thompson and McGill streets. In fact, the concrete streets are splitting as if an earthquake has gone through the area. Printing Street is worse off. Maryland Avenue, right in the heart of the City, around Roxy Cinema, is a total mess. If repairs are not done, ten years from now, there will be no concrete streets in Harper City. The City shall return back into the Stone Age. This is no joke!
Pleebo, the Commercial Capital of Maryland, is worse off. Pleebo is the industrial heart of Maryland. All the giant corporations that come to Maryland are stationed in Pleebo. Unfortunately, none of them contribute to the development of the City and its inhabitants. In Rainy season, Pleebo is a total mess. Mud overcomes everything else. One cannot travel to Pleebo and expects to remain clean of mud. In the Dry Season, the situation remains the same. Dust fills every part of Pleebo. One cannot expect to go to Pleebo in clean clothing and expect to return looking the same. Dust covers every aspect of life in Pleebo. All the nostrils you see are clogged with dust. This is a health hazard! It is a no-win-situation!
The Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) has been in operation without signing a Concession Agreement. It has promised to do so once the Government allows it to operate. When it was allowed to operate on its promise to sign a Concession Agreement later on, today there’s no sign for the Agreement. And this has been four years since it promised the people of Pleebo. As a result, Pleebo in particular and Maryland in general, receives no benefit at all. To add insult to the injury, SIFCA, which is the mother Company for CRC is bringing in another arm of its interest in the name of Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) to replace Decoris. This company too, promises to sign a Concession Agreement in due course if the Government allows it to begin operation. Out of the experience of CRC, the people of Pleebo are jittery about this promise. Therefore they are refusing to allow MOPP to operate without signing a Concession Agreement.
Malcolm X once observed, “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”
This situation in Pleebo regarding another company promising to operate before signing a Concession Agreement has caused many students, youths and senior citizens of the area to go to jail. Currently, the Maryland Legislative Caucus is split on the issue. Sens. John Akel Ballout and Gloria Musu Scott are rooting for MOPP to begin operation before it can sign any Concession Agreement. Dr. Bhofal Chambers disagrees. He is the sole elected representative of the Pleebo/Sodokeh district where this Company is expected to operate. Hands in gloves with the people of Pleebo/Sodokeh district, Dr. Chambers is giving his skin to defend his Constituents. The rivalry continues!
Politics in Maryland is becoming a get-rich-and-polarize-the-county game. Sens. Ballout and Scott have their hands locked in the problems in the County. Recently, the Circuit Court confirms that these two individuals lie on Cll Fulton Yancy. Sen. Ballout falsely informed the entire world that Cllr. Yancy had human blood stored in his home. After series of forensic examination outside Liberia, it has been established that the blood is chicken blood. Not human blood!
Previously, the Magisterial Court threw out charge of murder against Amb. H. Dan Morais. Ten others were released for lack of evidence. Look all through the bogus cases, Ballout and Scott’s finger prints are written all over them.
The armed hostilities between Rocktown and Wetchukeh, according to report, was provoked by Ballout and Scott for political benefit. In fact, Sen. Scott did everything in her power as a Senator to convict all the young kids who were arrested on cardboard box evidence. As a result, three innocent citizens’ lives were taken. The Representative of the Harper District, where this hostility took place, Hon. James Biney, did not foot in the area to sympathize with the bereave and console others. Instead, it was business as usual – they were in Monrovia having a great time on the Beer table.
Politics in Maryland is becoming a dangerous game. Come 2011, we are hoping better leaders will emerge.
None of the Congressional leaders have a home in Maryland. Hon. James Biney lives in his late step dad’s house. Gloria Scott snatched away her closest friend’s home. Her friend has had all her investment snatched away by the many shipwrecks. When the bank sought its loan from the friend of Gloria, the friend ran to Gloria for help. Instead of helping her friend, she took her friend’s only home and paid the bank back the loan. As a friend, one would think Gloria would pay her friend's debt. And then rent the home out and get back her money. And in the end turn her friend’s house over to her. But no! Gloria took advantage of the situation and snatched away her friend’s house. Today, she’s making profit out of the house by renting it out for her own good. Her friend is practically living in the streets. Predatory! Isn’t it?
Ballout is now building a motel in Harper. Shamelessly, he is building in the Cemetery on Maryland Avenue in Harper City. The Cemetery land is Public land. And no one can buy nor sell the land. But for some unknown reasons, Sen. Ballout owns a piece of land in the Cemetery. He’s building on top the graves of our Dear Departed. What sort of leadership do we have in Maryland that has no feeling for our Dear Departed?
Another problem is shipwreck. From 2004 to 2010 more than six ships wrecked. 99% of the passengers were Marylanders. Most, if not all, the dead are Marylanders. Majority of the victims are mainly women. Efforts to achieve Reparation is becoming impossible. Sen. Gloria Scott and John Ballout are serving as stumbling blocks to the effort. As has always been the case, these two Senators continue to mislead President Sirleaf into believing that Maryland is a violent County. And so the President continues to backslide on her promise to travel to Maryland to look into the shipwreck issue.
The President cannot get to Maryland by air, sea and land. All her Government officials that traveled to Maryland during the recent ship wreck, traveled through the Ivory Coast. Unless Sens. Ballout and Scott realize that Maryland economy will not grow until all the women who are victims of the many shipwrecks are compensated, Maryland County will continue to dwindle. That’s my opinion!
I am Thomas G. Bedell, I speak and work from on the ground in Liberia.
+231.692.0151
Maryland County: Pending Environmental, Political & Economic Woes
The Cavalla River swells to overflow. Transportation across the River is becoming more and more impossible. Rice, which is the staple food of Liberia and can only be transported to Maryland from the Ivory Coast, is becoming scarce in the County. As such, the population is getting nervous and nervous each day!
The Road from Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, to Maryland is extremely bad. Almost all sea vessels travelling to Maryland are sitting in the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean due to the many shipwrecks. No one is brave enough anymore to take a sea vessel to Maryland. The many shipwrecks that brought many deaths and destruction of poor people’s investment and personal belonging still haunts the people.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) controls the Air Space. UNMIL does not allow any Liberian citizen to travel to and from Maryland on any of its aircrafts without its permission. And if it does, one has to sign a Waiver on his or her life. Currently there’s no commercial airline in the area. In the event there’s one, the fare is extremely expensive for the poor to bear. Thus, nothing in terms of goods and services leaves and come to Maryland currently. The county is practically cutoff from the Republic of Liberia. Others think this means independence Maryland as it was until 1857!
There’s the Road problem. The Road to and from Monrovia to Maryland is completely cutoff. The current problem we face with the Road is now in Tapita (Nimba County) where it is completely cutoff. Between RiverGee and Maryland, the Road has become more difficult, if not impossible, to ply. As a result, goods cannot come to Maryland from Monrovia and parts adjacent. Shops as a result in the County, are empty. No milk, sugar, salt and basic goods and services. The Road from Pleebo (the commercial capital of Maryland) to Harper is a twenty-five minute driving time for motor car. That is ONLY when the Road is in good shape. In good time when the Road is good, it takes the motor bike ten minutes. Currently the condition of the Road from Harper to Pleebo can fairly be described as disastrous. Motor car now takes up to three hours and motor bikes up to two hours travel time. As a result, only NGO vehicles ply the Road. Why? Because they are 4wheel power trucks. And they are made for such conditions.
Sand mining is adding more insult to the injury. It has opened up the sand bridge between Lake Shepherd and the Atlantic Ocean. Notice, Lake Shepherd is the second largest lake in Liberia. Currently, the Ocean is flowing into the Lake overwhelmingly to overflow. Houses along the banks of the Lake are seriously in trouble. If the Local government does nothing about the sandmining in the area, Harper City may experience a Tsunami soon. If you know what I mean!
We have the Asbestos problem too. Churches and houses with Asbestos are becoming a fatal problem. Each time a storm hits, it breaks Asbestos from those structures. And each time that happens, Asbestos is disturbed. When the Asbestos is disturbed, it airbornes. According to research, when one inhales airborne Asbestos, chances are he or she will develop lung cancer and/or Asbestosis. Within 30 years that person will surely die. If this is true, the fact remains that within 30 years, many of us, including staff of International NGOs and The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and little innocent children, men and women will surely die within 30 years. It might be alright for those who are already 50 years old. Because if you add 30 to 50, you have 80 years person. And that person will have enjoyed his or her life already. As for the kids who fall in the ranges of 1 to 18 years old, that’s bad news. By the time they reach the point to enjoy life, they’ll be on the way to the grave yard. So, it is very necessary we launch a campaign to save our young.
As for politics of leadership, it is very bad. And that’s my opinion! Local and legislative leadership is extremely weak and backwards. Maryland County is 30 years backward in terms of infrastructure and human resource development. Harper City is closed to being a village. If the streets were not built with concrete by our forerunners, every street in the City would become a footpath. The example is visible on Marsh, Thompson and McGill streets. In fact, the concrete streets are splitting as if an earthquake has gone through the area. Printing Street is worse off. Maryland Avenue, right in the heart of the City, around Roxy Cinema, is a total mess. If repairs are not done, ten years from now, there will be no concrete streets in Harper City. The City shall return back into the Stone Age. This is no joke!
Pleebo, the Commercial Capital of Maryland, is worse off. Pleebo is the industrial heart of Maryland. All the giant corporations that come to Maryland are stationed in Pleebo. Unfortunately, none of them contribute to the development of the City and its inhabitants. In Rainy season, Pleebo is a total mess. Mud overcomes everything else. One cannot travel to Pleebo and expects to remain clean of mud. In the Dry Season, the situation remains the same. Dust fills every part of Pleebo. One cannot expect to go to Pleebo in clean clothing and expect to return looking the same. Dust covers every aspect of life in Pleebo. All the nostrils you see are clogged with dust. This is a health hazard! It is a no-win-situation!
The Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) has been in operation without signing a Concession Agreement. It has promised to do so once the Government allows it to operate. When it was allowed to operate on its promise to sign a Concession Agreement later on, today there’s no sign for the Agreement. And this has been four years since it promised the people of Pleebo. As a result, Pleebo in particular and Maryland in general, receives no benefit at all. To add insult to the injury, SIFCA, which is the mother Company for CRC is bringing in another arm of its interest in the name of Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) to replace Decoris. This company too, promises to sign a Concession Agreement in due course if the Government allows it to begin operation. Out of the experience of CRC, the people of Pleebo are jittery about this promise. Therefore they are refusing to allow MOPP to operate without signing a Concession Agreement.
Malcolm X once observed, “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”
This situation in Pleebo regarding another company promising to operate before signing a Concession Agreement has caused many students, youths and senior citizens of the area to go to jail. Currently, the Maryland Legislative Caucus is split on the issue. Sens. John Akel Ballout and Gloria Musu Scott are rooting for MOPP to begin operation before it can sign any Concession Agreement. Dr. Bhofal Chambers disagrees. He is the sole elected representative of the Pleebo/Sodokeh district where this Company is expected to operate. Hands in gloves with the people of Pleebo/Sodokeh district, Dr. Chambers is giving his skin to defend his Constituents. The rivalry continues!
Politics in Maryland is becoming a get-rich-and-polarize-the-county game. Sens. Ballout and Scott have their hands locked in the problems in the County. Recently, the Circuit Court confirms that these two individuals lie on Cll Fulton Yancy. Sen. Ballout falsely informed the entire world that Cllr. Yancy had human blood stored in his home. After series of forensic examination outside Liberia, it has been established that the blood is chicken blood. Not human blood!
Previously, the Magisterial Court threw out charge of murder against Amb. H. Dan Morais. Ten others were released for lack of evidence. Look all through the bogus cases, Ballout and Scott’s finger prints are written all over them.
The armed hostilities between Rocktown and Wetchukeh, according to report, was provoked by Ballout and Scott for political benefit. In fact, Sen. Scott did everything in her power as a Senator to convict all the young kids who were arrested on cardboard box evidence. As a result, three innocent citizens’ lives were taken. The Representative of the Harper District, where this hostility took place, Hon. James Biney, did not foot in the area to sympathize with the bereave and console others. Instead, it was business as usual – they were in Monrovia having a great time on the Beer table.
Politics in Maryland is becoming a dangerous game. Come 2011, we are hoping better leaders will emerge.
None of the Congressional leaders have a home in Maryland. Hon. James Biney lives in his late step dad’s house. Gloria Scott snatched away her closest friend’s home. Her friend has had all her investment snatched away by the many shipwrecks. When the bank sought its loan from the friend of Gloria, the friend ran to Gloria for help. Instead of helping her friend, she took her friend’s only home and paid the bank back the loan. As a friend, one would think Gloria would pay her friend's debt. And then rent the home out and get back her money. And in the end turn her friend’s house over to her. But no! Gloria took advantage of the situation and snatched away her friend’s house. Today, she’s making profit out of the house by renting it out for her own good. Her friend is practically living in the streets. Predatory! Isn’t it?
Ballout is now building a motel in Harper. Shamelessly, he is building in the Cemetery on Maryland Avenue in Harper City. The Cemetery land is Public land. And no one can buy nor sell the land. But for some unknown reasons, Sen. Ballout owns a piece of land in the Cemetery. He’s building on top the graves of our Dear Departed. What sort of leadership do we have in Maryland that has no feeling for our Dear Departed?
Another problem is shipwreck. From 2004 to 2010 more than six ships wrecked. 99% of the passengers were Marylanders. Most, if not all, the dead are Marylanders. Majority of the victims are mainly women. Efforts to achieve Reparation is becoming impossible. Sen. Gloria Scott and John Ballout are serving as stumbling blocks to the effort. As has always been the case, these two Senators continue to mislead President Sirleaf into believing that Maryland is a violent County. And so the President continues to backslide on her promise to travel to Maryland to look into the shipwreck issue.
The President cannot get to Maryland by air, sea and land. All her Government officials that traveled to Maryland during the recent ship wreck, traveled through the Ivory Coast. Unless Sens. Ballout and Scott realize that Maryland economy will not grow until all the women who are victims of the many shipwrecks are compensated, Maryland County will continue to dwindle. That’s my opinion!
I am Thomas G. Bedell, I speak and work from on the ground in Liberia.
The Road from Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, to Maryland is extremely bad. Almost all sea vessels travelling to Maryland are sitting in the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean due to the many shipwrecks. No one is brave enough anymore to take a sea vessel to Maryland. The many shipwrecks that brought many deaths and destruction of poor people’s investment and personal belonging still haunts the people.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) controls the Air Space. UNMIL does not allow any Liberian citizen to travel to and from Maryland on any of its aircrafts without its permission. And if it does, one has to sign a Waiver on his or her life. Currently there’s no commercial airline in the area. In the event there’s one, the fare is extremely expensive for the poor to bear. Thus, nothing in terms of goods and services leaves and come to Maryland currently. The county is practically cutoff from the Republic of Liberia. Others think this means independence Maryland as it was until 1857!
There’s the Road problem. The Road to and from Monrovia to Maryland is completely cutoff. The current problem we face with the Road is now in Tapita (Nimba County) where it is completely cutoff. Between RiverGee and Maryland, the Road has become more difficult, if not impossible, to ply. As a result, goods cannot come to Maryland from Monrovia and parts adjacent. Shops as a result in the County, are empty. No milk, sugar, salt and basic goods and services. The Road from Pleebo (the commercial capital of Maryland) to Harper is a twenty-five minute driving time for motor car. That is ONLY when the Road is in good shape. In good time when the Road is good, it takes the motor bike ten minutes. Currently the condition of the Road from Harper to Pleebo can fairly be described as disastrous. Motor car now takes up to three hours and motor bikes up to two hours travel time. As a result, only NGO vehicles ply the Road. Why? Because they are 4wheel power trucks. And they are made for such conditions.
Sand mining is adding more insult to the injury. It has opened up the sand bridge between Lake Shepherd and the Atlantic Ocean. Notice, Lake Shepherd is the second largest lake in Liberia. Currently, the Ocean is flowing into the Lake overwhelmingly to overflow. Houses along the banks of the Lake are seriously in trouble. If the Local government does nothing about the sandmining in the area, Harper City may experience a Tsunami soon. If you know what I mean!
We have the Asbestos problem too. Churches and houses with Asbestos are becoming a fatal problem. Each time a storm hits, it breaks Asbestos from those structures. And each time that happens, Asbestos is disturbed. When the Asbestos is disturbed, it airbornes. According to research, when one inhales airborne Asbestos, chances are he or she will develop lung cancer and/or Asbestosis. Within 30 years that person will surely die. If this is true, the fact remains that within 30 years, many of us, including staff of International NGOs and The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and little innocent children, men and women will surely die within 30 years. It might be alright for those who are already 50 years old. Because if you add 30 to 50, you have 80 years person. And that person will have enjoyed his or her life already. As for the kids who fall in the ranges of 1 to 18 years old, that’s bad news. By the time they reach the point to enjoy life, they’ll be on the way to the grave yard. So, it is very necessary we launch a campaign to save our young.
As for politics of leadership, it is very bad. And that’s my opinion! Local and legislative leadership is extremely weak and backwards. Maryland County is 30 years backward in terms of infrastructure and human resource development. Harper City is closed to being a village. If the streets were not built with concrete by our forerunners, every street in the City would become a footpath. The example is visible on Marsh, Thompson and McGill streets. In fact, the concrete streets are splitting as if an earthquake has gone through the area. Printing Street is worse off. Maryland Avenue, right in the heart of the City, around Roxy Cinema, is a total mess. If repairs are not done, ten years from now, there will be no concrete streets in Harper City. The City shall return back into the Stone Age. This is no joke!
Pleebo, the Commercial Capital of Maryland, is worse off. Pleebo is the industrial heart of Maryland. All the giant corporations that come to Maryland are stationed in Pleebo. Unfortunately, none of them contribute to the development of the City and its inhabitants. In Rainy season, Pleebo is a total mess. Mud overcomes everything else. One cannot travel to Pleebo and expects to remain clean of mud. In the Dry Season, the situation remains the same. Dust fills every part of Pleebo. One cannot expect to go to Pleebo in clean clothing and expect to return looking the same. Dust covers every aspect of life in Pleebo. All the nostrils you see are clogged with dust. This is a health hazard! It is a no-win-situation!
The Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) has been in operation without signing a Concession Agreement. It has promised to do so once the Government allows it to operate. When it was allowed to operate on its promise to sign a Concession Agreement later on, today there’s no sign for the Agreement. And this has been four years since it promised the people of Pleebo. As a result, Pleebo in particular and Maryland in general, receives no benefit at all. To add insult to the injury, SIFCA, which is the mother Company for CRC is bringing in another arm of its interest in the name of Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) to replace Decoris. This company too, promises to sign a Concession Agreement in due course if the Government allows it to begin operation. Out of the experience of CRC, the people of Pleebo are jittery about this promise. Therefore they are refusing to allow MOPP to operate without signing a Concession Agreement.
Malcolm X once observed, “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”
This situation in Pleebo regarding another company promising to operate before signing a Concession Agreement has caused many students, youths and senior citizens of the area to go to jail. Currently, the Maryland Legislative Caucus is split on the issue. Sens. John Akel Ballout and Gloria Musu Scott are rooting for MOPP to begin operation before it can sign any Concession Agreement. Dr. Bhofal Chambers disagrees. He is the sole elected representative of the Pleebo/Sodokeh district where this Company is expected to operate. Hands in gloves with the people of Pleebo/Sodokeh district, Dr. Chambers is giving his skin to defend his Constituents. The rivalry continues!
Politics in Maryland is becoming a get-rich-and-polarize-the-county game. Sens. Ballout and Scott have their hands locked in the problems in the County. Recently, the Circuit Court confirms that these two individuals lie on Cll Fulton Yancy. Sen. Ballout falsely informed the entire world that Cllr. Yancy had human blood stored in his home. After series of forensic examination outside Liberia, it has been established that the blood is chicken blood. Not human blood!
Previously, the Magisterial Court threw out charge of murder against Amb. H. Dan Morais. Ten others were released for lack of evidence. Look all through the bogus cases, Ballout and Scott’s finger prints are written all over them.
The armed hostilities between Rocktown and Wetchukeh, according to report, was provoked by Ballout and Scott for political benefit. In fact, Sen. Scott did everything in her power as a Senator to convict all the young kids who were arrested on cardboard box evidence. As a result, three innocent citizens’ lives were taken. The Representative of the Harper District, where this hostility took place, Hon. James Biney, did not foot in the area to sympathize with the bereave and console others. Instead, it was business as usual – they were in Monrovia having a great time on the Beer table.
Politics in Maryland is becoming a dangerous game. Come 2011, we are hoping better leaders will emerge.
None of the Congressional leaders have a home in Maryland. Hon. James Biney lives in his late step dad’s house. Gloria Scott snatched away her closest friend’s home. Her friend has had all her investment snatched away by the many shipwrecks. When the bank sought its loan from the friend of Gloria, the friend ran to Gloria for help. Instead of helping her friend, she took her friend’s only home and paid the bank back the loan. As a friend, one would think Gloria would pay her friend's debt. And then rent the home out and get back her money. And in the end turn her friend’s house over to her. But no! Gloria took advantage of the situation and snatched away her friend’s house. Today, she’s making profit out of the house by renting it out for her own good. Her friend is practically living in the streets. Predatory! Isn’t it?
Ballout is now building a motel in Harper. Shamelessly, he is building in the Cemetery on Maryland Avenue in Harper City. The Cemetery land is Public land. And no one can buy nor sell the land. But for some unknown reasons, Sen. Ballout owns a piece of land in the Cemetery. He’s building on top the graves of our Dear Departed. What sort of leadership do we have in Maryland that has no feeling for our Dear Departed?
Another problem is shipwreck. From 2004 to 2010 more than six ships wrecked. 99% of the passengers were Marylanders. Most, if not all, the dead are Marylanders. Majority of the victims are mainly women. Efforts to achieve Reparation is becoming impossible. Sen. Gloria Scott and John Ballout are serving as stumbling blocks to the effort. As has always been the case, these two Senators continue to mislead President Sirleaf into believing that Maryland is a violent County. And so the President continues to backslide on her promise to travel to Maryland to look into the shipwreck issue.
The President cannot get to Maryland by air, sea and land. All her Government officials that traveled to Maryland during the recent ship wreck, traveled through the Ivory Coast. Unless Sens. Ballout and Scott realize that Maryland economy will not grow until all the women who are victims of the many shipwrecks are compensated, Maryland County will continue to dwindle. That’s my opinion!
I am Thomas G. Bedell, I speak and work from on the ground in Liberia.
+231.692.0151
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Politics in Liberia: Pumping Up The Volume Again?
In Liberian recent political history, politicians and wannabe leaders always promised the common people a whole lot of "goodies."
Some of them promised “Liberation.” Others promised “Freedom” and “democracy.” All they tell the common people is that all that they promised would come to them (people) in its “purest” sense.
This trend comes with flamboyant speeches. Such speeches are delivered on school campuses and in marketplaces. Well, today, we have "hatai" shops. That's where most young people gather to discuss "burining" issues.
Soon, these wannabe leaders galvanized support inside and outside the country. Experience in recent time teaches that these sort of politicians were able to unleash generalized anarchy of violence on the Nation. And when that happenend, the common people and nation were overcome by violence. Consequently, tens and tens of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children died. The nation fell apart right at the hinges. Soon, the nation began to crumble.
This bad experience leaves the nation trembling at its knees just like a feverish child.
Motherless children cried out to God and also to their Forbearers! War oozed blood throughout the the streets of the cities, shanty towns and hamlets. Because of the violence, men gnashed their teeth for fourteen years. War engulfed the entire nation and plunged it in pain and agony!
Today, seemingly, we are sliding into the same catastrophic trend. TRC “Draft” or “Final” Report is taking us there slowly but surely. There are those who condemn the Report. And there are others who support it. The "argument" or call it "debate", tears down the walls of common sense. So the participants shout at each other. They resort into violation of good diction against each other during the Hearings. And this becomes a threat to National Security. Strangely, this is all in the name of “democracy.” At least, that's what they tell us! Critics think this is “Stupideocracy.” Because they think it canot be democracy in any sense. Looking at it from a revolutionary standpoint, it all equates to lack of national consciousness and patriotism on the part of the citizenry.
This view places me on the Third line of those speaking on the Report: I call for calm. I call for us to learn a lesson from our most recent history.
In our most recent history, we indicted our leaders. We blamed them for our national quagmire. We held them responsible for everything that went wrong in the country. But we didn’t stop there. We sent some of them to their early graves. The only living one was slapped through the back-door into Nigeria. And then we sent him to White man’s country to be judged by “white justice.”
I am not saying none of our leaders did no wrong. That's not my argument by any measure!
I am not saying none of our leaders did no wrong. That's not my argument by any measure!
But all things being considered, I think we need to do in-house reconciliation. We can chastise our Brethrens who have offended us. And this can be done in our own way. We need to apply our own solution that will secure our land and children’s future.
Some say we need outsiders to help us. I agree with that proposal! But we cannot allow outsiders to tell us what to do. Their reality is different from ours. So let's apply our own solutions. For African problems, demand African solutions!
We cannot forget that some of those outsiders we are talking about are the ones that contributed highly to our national collapse! Some of htme include, but not limitedt to, Libya, USA, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. I'm convinced they should all pay Institutional Reparation for destroying our country.
AND THAT’S MY OPINION, WHAT'S YOURS?
I am Thomas G. Bedell, working and speaking from on the “ground” in Liberia.
Some say we need outsiders to help us. I agree with that proposal! But we cannot allow outsiders to tell us what to do. Their reality is different from ours. So let's apply our own solutions. For African problems, demand African solutions!
We cannot forget that some of those outsiders we are talking about are the ones that contributed highly to our national collapse! Some of htme include, but not limitedt to, Libya, USA, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. I'm convinced they should all pay Institutional Reparation for destroying our country.
AND THAT’S MY OPINION, WHAT'S YOURS?
I am Thomas G. Bedell, working and speaking from on the “ground” in Liberia.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Two Presidents one ULAA: We Don't Get It, Do We?
Most Liberians think the political problem in Liberia is centered on the failure by those controlling power to share power.
There were those in and outside the country who felt (maybe they still feel the same today) that President Tubman (the 18th President of Liberia) was the “problem.” So they felt the "problem" which supposedly was Tubman, would go away if and when Tubman exited power by any "means necessary." They felt getting rid of Tubman meant getting rid of the "problem." All of a sudden, Tubman died. Whether natural or not, he died in office. As such, the critics expected the "problem" that was brought in by Tubman would die also with the physical body of Tubman. But they were wrong. To their utmost surprise, the "problem" remained after Tubman's death. Because they were dissappointed the "problem" did not go away with Tubman, they shifted the "proble" to Tubman successor. In this case, William Richard Tolbert - President of the Republic of Liberia.
William R. Tolbert replaced Tubman. Many were glad and happy Tubman passed on. Much applause to tolbert. But soon, Tolbert's honeymoon into power shortlived. In no time, Tolbert was accused of being the “problem.” Just as Tubman was accussed. Now they wanted Tolbert out of power by any "means neccessary." And when they tried hard and struggle hard, they were able to succeeded. In not time, Tolbert was removed violently (murdered in cold-blood) from power. But when Tolbert was killed, as was in the case of Tubman, the “problem” did not go with him. It remained behind. And it towered over all else. Dissappointment set in for those who felt Tolbert was the "problem."
Then came Samuel K. Doe. Understandably, he killed Tolbert through a military coup and took over his job as President. After Tolbert’s death, Doe and his military comrades enjoyed a high level of support from the people. There was massive support for Doe and his henchmen from the populace. Again, as in the case of Tolbert, Doe's hooneymoon was great but shortlived. He became the “problem.” The same solution that was applied to Tubman and Tolbert (murder) was applied to Doe - he was murdered.
Efforts mounted against Doe from all angles. He was humiliated and bludgeoned to death. After his death, the same “problem” that lingered on and on and that was expected to go with him, did not go with him. The "problem" remained. The same blame poured over Tubman and Tolbert was now served on him. Doe left the "problem" behind.
After 14 years of generalized anarchy of violence, Taylor became President. Prior to his seizure of power (he launched a guerrila warfare). He was exalted by almost every Liberian. As was in the past with Tolbert and Doe. This time the people were tire with Doe and so they welcomed Taylor warfare to rid them of Doe. The people wanted Doe out of power. No matter what, they wanted Doe to go, "dead or alive." So Taylor remove Doe and took power.
Today, Ellen is President. And people are beginning to shift the “problem” on to her. What that tells me is that Liberians have not yet learned.
A wise man in a village provided solution to this kind of situation:
Once upon a time; there was a village located downstream on a very large river. Much of the economy was built around pulling people out of the river as they floated by. Some of these people were dead; others injured. The dead were buried, the injured were revived and treated. Some had long-term disabilities as a result of their experience in that river. The village continued in its efforts to bury the dead and treat the living, developing sophisticated procedures and programs in their quest. However, no matter how much money was spent, how many programs were developed, how many great technological advances were made in the treatment of the ill and the injured, folks continued to float by the village...dead, injured, disabled. One day, a wise person came up with a radical idea...why not go up the river and find out why people were falling in the river in the first place.
The same question comes back to us as Liberians:
Some say the backwardness of the country is due to a single person who sits on the periphery of power and does what he or she feels like against the will of the majority of the people. They also think that a particular person who is the leader of the nation, for example, the President, is the one who needs to make way for the "bad" things in the country to change and become "good" things.
These critics also feel, in order to change all the "bad" things in the country that are supposedly put in place by the "bad" leader, the leader needs to take an exit from power. The critics think by so doing, the "problem" in the country will disappear. So the need to get rid of the leader is as strong as the solution to the "problem." When that particlular leader is kicked out of office by all "means necessary," then the “problem” automatically goes away. Hopefully then, the nation will return to "sanity." All things considered, the opposite is true. Because history is replete with dissappointments in this regards.
There were those in and outside the country who felt (maybe they still feel the same today) that President Tubman (the 18th President of Liberia) was the “problem.” So they felt the "problem" which supposedly was Tubman, would go away if and when Tubman exited power by any "means necessary." They felt getting rid of Tubman meant getting rid of the "problem." All of a sudden, Tubman died. Whether natural or not, he died in office. As such, the critics expected the "problem" that was brought in by Tubman would die also with the physical body of Tubman. But they were wrong. To their utmost surprise, the "problem" remained after Tubman's death. Because they were dissappointed the "problem" did not go away with Tubman, they shifted the "proble" to Tubman successor. In this case, William Richard Tolbert - President of the Republic of Liberia.
William R. Tolbert replaced Tubman. Many were glad and happy Tubman passed on. Much applause to tolbert. But soon, Tolbert's honeymoon into power shortlived. In no time, Tolbert was accused of being the “problem.” Just as Tubman was accussed. Now they wanted Tolbert out of power by any "means neccessary." And when they tried hard and struggle hard, they were able to succeeded. In not time, Tolbert was removed violently (murdered in cold-blood) from power. But when Tolbert was killed, as was in the case of Tubman, the “problem” did not go with him. It remained behind. And it towered over all else. Dissappointment set in for those who felt Tolbert was the "problem."
Then came Samuel K. Doe. Understandably, he killed Tolbert through a military coup and took over his job as President. After Tolbert’s death, Doe and his military comrades enjoyed a high level of support from the people. There was massive support for Doe and his henchmen from the populace. Again, as in the case of Tolbert, Doe's hooneymoon was great but shortlived. He became the “problem.” The same solution that was applied to Tubman and Tolbert (murder) was applied to Doe - he was murdered.
Efforts mounted against Doe from all angles. He was humiliated and bludgeoned to death. After his death, the same “problem” that lingered on and on and that was expected to go with him, did not go with him. The "problem" remained. The same blame poured over Tubman and Tolbert was now served on him. Doe left the "problem" behind.
After 14 years of generalized anarchy of violence, Taylor became President. Prior to his seizure of power (he launched a guerrila warfare). He was exalted by almost every Liberian. As was in the past with Tolbert and Doe. This time the people were tire with Doe and so they welcomed Taylor warfare to rid them of Doe. The people wanted Doe out of power. No matter what, they wanted Doe to go, "dead or alive." So Taylor remove Doe and took power.
For few months Taylor enjoyed the hooneymoon of power. Then "bang!" the "party" was over. He was accused of being the "problem". And they believed that by kicking him out of power by any, "means necessary," like Tubman, Tolbert and Doe, the "problem" would finally go away. And the country will be "sound."
Concerted efforts were mounted. In no time, Taylor was kicked out of power. They kicked him through the back door right into Nigeria. From Nigeria they sent him to Sierra Leone. From Sierra Leone, they posted him to Europe to be judged by the Whiteman who has no idea of our pain and “problem.” The Whiteman who just doesn’t give a darn as to what we think as a people, will judge President Taylor. With all this, Taylor forceful removal from power was expected to kill the “problem” in Liberia. But guess what? The "problem" continues to haunt the nation.
Today, Ellen is President. And people are beginning to shift the “problem” on to her. What that tells me is that Liberians have not yet learned.
The failed past and their experiences, as far as the “problem” is concerned, have not taught them any lesson. They continue to still exclusively blame their leaders and consider them as the "problem" of the nation.
In as much as there may be reasons for such a claim, the opposite has been proven to be true!
A wise man in a village provided solution to this kind of situation:
Once upon a time; there was a village located downstream on a very large river. Much of the economy was built around pulling people out of the river as they floated by. Some of these people were dead; others injured. The dead were buried, the injured were revived and treated. Some had long-term disabilities as a result of their experience in that river. The village continued in its efforts to bury the dead and treat the living, developing sophisticated procedures and programs in their quest. However, no matter how much money was spent, how many programs were developed, how many great technological advances were made in the treatment of the ill and the injured, folks continued to float by the village...dead, injured, disabled. One day, a wise person came up with a radical idea...why not go up the river and find out why people were falling in the river in the first place.
The same question comes back to us as Liberians:
If Presidents Tubman, Tolbert, Doe and Taylor were considered the “problem” in our country and we got rid of them with the hope of getting rid of the “problem” but the “problem” did not go away, why can’t we stop momentarily, ask ourselves why is it that each President has been our “problem”?
Secondly, we need to ask ourselves, if we got rid of those leaders who were considered as the “problem,” and still have the “problem” lingering on, even though those leaders are forever, why can’t we try to stop and figure out whether it is true the “problem” is due to political personality?
The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) needs to learn from this backward experience and adopt to new and progressive measures. Instead of having two leaders of one organization.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Global Youth Service Day Clean-Up Campaign: My West Point Story
The Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) Event has a Planning Committee (PC) responsible to plan the Event every year. This year it organized a massive Youth Volunteer Clean-Up Campaign to mark the 2nd observance of the annual global Event. Two major areas were identified for cleaning - West Point (Monrovia) and Black Jennie (Paynesville).
I worked at and supervised West Point Township. My other colleagues supervised Black Jennie.
Here I am reporting my experiences in the Township of West Point. Please read with open eyes and open mind.
I chose West Point Township. The reason is obvious. For you see, I lived in the US during and after the 14-year generalized anarchy of violence in Liberia. Such violence, we all know, destroyed infrastructure and human resource in the country. Tens and tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children lost their precious lives. At the cessation of hostilities, all Liberians were called upon to come home and rebuild. I answered to the call.
In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected President of the Republic. So I thought I return home briefly. Why? To help in the Reconstruction process. When I got in the country I built my own NGO. The Organisation I transformed into an NGO was already functioning while I was in the US. I sponsored several Community Centers in Monrovia. When I entered the country I wanted to spread the Community Centers out. And I did.
While working on my NGO, I always took off time to partake in other community development projects, especially working with our youth. That's how I entered the Global Youth Service Day Celebration. Vision Sisters for Development (VSD) Executive Director came to me and asked for my help to build her organization. She said no one was paying attention to them. So I agreed to help. I put my education, experise, skills, talents and all I can command into VSD. Since then, I have been deeply involved with it.
Having gotten that out of the way, let's get back to my West Point story.
When I volunteered to work in West Point Township, I wanted to learn and add more to what I have already learned over the past two years that I spent working in the country as a volunteer. I wanted to compare or bring my theoretical knowledge face-to-face with the practical issues on the ground as it relates to downtrodden people. West Point is not the only place for downtrodden people in Liberia. But I thought it is an ideal place to start. So I started there. While working there, I got what I wanted. Theory came face-to-face with the practical. But something happened during the process. And what happened shifted the scope of things: See, I forgot some of the things I learned theoretically. By this I mean, I forgot some of the things I read in books. I read from Marx, Hegels, Adam Smith, and others. They skipped my mind. How did I know they skipped my mind? I made the first mistake. The Planning Committee decided to get young people from different parts of Central Monrovia to help clean West Point. In other words, we were bringing other youths from outside West Point to clean West Point. Little did we know this idea would offend the people. I realized that when I met with them. They uprightly rejected the idea. Hon. Demore W. Moore is the commissioner of West Point Township. He sounded their rejection emphatically and vehemently. He told me that this idea would never gain ground - to bring in outsiders to clean his area? No! He made this very clear. He sounded friendly. But he was steadfast, serious and firm. I had to feel him. And I did. I grasped on to the idea immediately. That's why I surrendered to their will. We all agreed West Pointers would clean West Point. And that few outsiders would be allowed to come in and help. We asked the youth of West Point to take the charge. And they did. On that Agreement, we concluded our Meeting.
The Honorable Commissioner set a date for me to meet with the "Movers-and-Shakers" of West Point including the youth. The day came and we met. The Elders and Youth showed up in great numbers. I informed them this was a Youth Volunteer Campaign to help the people of West Point. I promised them all the volunteers would be fed by us. Lone Star Communications Corporation (LSCC) was providing the food. It was providing T-Shirts with their Logo and the Logo of GYSD. LCC was also providing wheelbarrows, shovels, water and juices. All we had to do is to work. The people hailed LCC contribution and thanked them and the rest of our donors (Ministries of Youth & Sports, Labor and FOUTA Rice Corporation). Everyone rolled up his/her sleeves. And we were ready to knock out the dirt.
The first day of the Campaign came on Friday, May 1. My staff and I arrived in West Point at 7:30am. The Pep Talk was scheduled for 8am. At 8am we all converged at the TownHall. The Commissioner spoke. He thanked his people for showing up. He thanked LCC for its support. He thanked FOUTA Rice Corporation, Ministeries of Labor and Youth & Sports for their support for our youth. He and I encouraged the young people of West Point to work bristtle hard in order to clean West Point. Hon. Moore promised to work with us all along the way. And he did. At the closing of the Pep Talk, I passed on the T-Shirts provided by LCC. At 9:30am, we went to work.
We assigned teams at different points. The focus was on the beaches. But we added the Main Street. Here’s the interesting thing that happened. The Main Street is the only street in the Township. It runs from the Market (Waterside) and ends at the dead-end of West Point. Anyone who goes to West Point cannot miss the Main Street. Becasue it is the only street in West Point. And it runs deep into the belly of the Township.
We worked the whole day. We took our first break at 12noon. But there was no food. No water. I reached out in my pocket and bought some food and water. Because the young fellas were starving. And when young people begin to complain about food, one has to be very careful before it gets chaotic. West Point being what it is, could become an explosive case. So I acted immediately. After the young folks got something to munch on, we all sat and began to look into the scheme of things. That's when we started to see things we didn’t take note of in the beginning. We realized cleaning the Main Street was a waste of time. Because as we cleaned the Main Street, marketers and byepassers made more thrash. It was like we had not done anything at all in the area. Papers, plastic and thrash flew around like happy-go-lucky-don't-care. So it clicked our minds. This is what we thought: If we continued cleaning the Main Street and marketers and bypassers kept dropping thrash, our job would never show any sign of progress. And it was true. Because some LCC employees (mind you they are our sponsors) visited the area and concluded the Team working in West Point wasn't doing a "good" job. Little did they know that West Point is an exceptional case. The fact is a small piece of land mass has more than 70,000 people. This is nothing to joke about. This is what we call chaos. So we had to quit cleaning the Main Street if we wanted to make a difference. We turned to the beaches.
When we made our first move cleaning the Beaches, we saw more progress than previously seen. We saw three Beaches in West Point. But we could not clean all three at the same time. So we left Popo and Powerplant Beaches out. We cleaned Kru Beach ONLY. Kru Beach had less thrash and filth than the rest. The thrash on all the Beaches combine could run from the Executive Mansion in Monrovia to J. F. K. Medical Center in Sinkor. THIS IS THE TRUTH! That distance makes up the exact length of the entire West Point Township.
This is the interesting part: The residents told they threw their thrash into the Ocean. But the Ocean returned it back to them. EAch time they sent it back, the Ocean returned it. And so they were tired competing with the Ocean. And so they decided to let the thrash sit on the Beach. So every piece of thrash thrown in the Ocean by residents and rejected by the Ocean sat on the Beaches. It stretched deep into the belly of the Township. Soon it became mountain of thrash.
The thrash on Kru Beach was about 500 yards long and 400 feet wide. The only option was to bury it in the sand. The available dumpsters in West Point are not too closed to any of the Beaches. They are situated all the way down Waterside market. The distance from the dumpsters to the Beach is several hundred yards. Just imagine a person pushing a wheelbarrow. He's doing so in the sand. He's pushing more than 500 yards to the dumpster. He gets to hard ground. And then he has to continue on pushing towards the dumpsters. The dumpster from hard ground is several hundred yards away. By the time he gets to the dumpster, he runs out of every piece of energy. Can he return on the Beach to get another load? Certainly not! So burying the thrash in the sand was the only option. In fact, it was the most sensible thing to do. And that’s just what we did. We knew this was an ecological mess. But what else could we do? We had no choice. We had to apply ourselves to the reality and conditions on the ground.
We had to dig into the sand to bury the thrash. The areas we were digging had already been dug before. And thrash had already been buried there. So each time we dug, we ran into previous thrash. We had to move on to a new area until we found an open area with no thrash. We did all we could. In the end we cleared 500 yards of thrash in two days. We buried the thrash under the sand. After clearing the Beach, the area became very clear. Looking at it from the distance, one can now see the beauty of nature. The white sand is showing beautifully in West Point. For me, that's what I call “progress.” We cleared the Beach. Now you can see the sand. When we got there that morning, thrash covered the sand. Now the thrash is gone. The beautiful sand shows up. Marvelous!
West Pointers were happy. And that's what we wanted to see - happiness! We had cleaned one Beach. And two more Beaches remained untouched. They applauded our work. They expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Some of them were skeptics. They didn't think the Campaign would make a difference. Because they believe the thrash would return again. But they too were happy. They could see the sand devoid of thrash for once. They were happy. We were happy. Our work as volunteers made a difference.
A total number of seven (7) youth organizations residing in West Point registered with us and took part in the Campaign. Namely, 1)Youth United to Fight Poverty (YUFP), 2) FOLAU, 3) Westside Connection, 4) WESPRA, 5) West Point Children Club (WPCC), 6) Boys and Girls of Determination and, 7) Life Safeguard (LG). A total number of four (4) outside youth-based and groups joined the West Point Campaign - 1) Taake Youth Development Association (TYDA), 2) Mission Outreach International, Inc. (MOI), 3) Young Women Initiative (YWI) and 4) Association of Disabled Females International (ADFI). It was a great experience working with people we all did not know and we have come face-to-face with. Facie Harris (YWI) who is a broadcaster at UNMIL Radio joined the Campaign in West Point. Ms. Binta Massaquoi (FWI), an employee of the US Embassy in Liberia along with Grace Johnson of FWI were also there.
The Leadership Team we set up to regulate and coordinate the Campaign includes, Munah Togba (chair), Archie T-Boy Doegmah (co-chair), Joseph Fayiah (member), Albert Tutu, Jnr. (member), Varney Phillip (member), Charles Roberts (member), and Abraham Wleh (member). All the Team members do reside in West Point Township. We are thankful for their leadership and service to their community.
The two-day Campaign was a total success. A recommendation derived from it. A core group needs to be set up to help pick up thrash that old folks cannot carry to the dumpster. The Commissioner told us that the garbbage truck does not reach inside West Point. And the reason is the Main Street is narrow. When the truck enters, it has no way to turn around. And so it stops around the Waterside area to pick up thrash. This is a problem for the old folks. They cannot walk as far as the dumpster due to old-age. So most of the thrash that s found on the Beach is dumped there by old folks. To prevent this, those young folks who are expected to be a part of the Core group that will pick up the old folks’ thrash, will have to receive a stipend. A recommended stipend of $2 to $3 US dollars per day will help them meet some of their needs. The Recommendation is being studied by GYSD Planning Committee. Sponsors are being identified to assist.
We hope people who grew up in West Point and are now successful in their own rights, living in the Diaspora and at home, can lend a financial hand to support the Cause. As per President Sirleaf's Proclamation to keep Monrovia clean on the first Saturday of each month, we are hoping to return to West Point to complete the rest of the Beaches. But funding will be needed.
Thomas G. Bedell/Secretary General/GYSD/011.231.6.920.151
I worked at and supervised West Point Township. My other colleagues supervised Black Jennie.
Here I am reporting my experiences in the Township of West Point. Please read with open eyes and open mind.
I chose West Point Township. The reason is obvious. For you see, I lived in the US during and after the 14-year generalized anarchy of violence in Liberia. Such violence, we all know, destroyed infrastructure and human resource in the country. Tens and tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children lost their precious lives. At the cessation of hostilities, all Liberians were called upon to come home and rebuild. I answered to the call.
In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected President of the Republic. So I thought I return home briefly. Why? To help in the Reconstruction process. When I got in the country I built my own NGO. The Organisation I transformed into an NGO was already functioning while I was in the US. I sponsored several Community Centers in Monrovia. When I entered the country I wanted to spread the Community Centers out. And I did.
While working on my NGO, I always took off time to partake in other community development projects, especially working with our youth. That's how I entered the Global Youth Service Day Celebration. Vision Sisters for Development (VSD) Executive Director came to me and asked for my help to build her organization. She said no one was paying attention to them. So I agreed to help. I put my education, experise, skills, talents and all I can command into VSD. Since then, I have been deeply involved with it.
Having gotten that out of the way, let's get back to my West Point story.
When I volunteered to work in West Point Township, I wanted to learn and add more to what I have already learned over the past two years that I spent working in the country as a volunteer. I wanted to compare or bring my theoretical knowledge face-to-face with the practical issues on the ground as it relates to downtrodden people. West Point is not the only place for downtrodden people in Liberia. But I thought it is an ideal place to start. So I started there. While working there, I got what I wanted. Theory came face-to-face with the practical. But something happened during the process. And what happened shifted the scope of things: See, I forgot some of the things I learned theoretically. By this I mean, I forgot some of the things I read in books. I read from Marx, Hegels, Adam Smith, and others. They skipped my mind. How did I know they skipped my mind? I made the first mistake. The Planning Committee decided to get young people from different parts of Central Monrovia to help clean West Point. In other words, we were bringing other youths from outside West Point to clean West Point. Little did we know this idea would offend the people. I realized that when I met with them. They uprightly rejected the idea. Hon. Demore W. Moore is the commissioner of West Point Township. He sounded their rejection emphatically and vehemently. He told me that this idea would never gain ground - to bring in outsiders to clean his area? No! He made this very clear. He sounded friendly. But he was steadfast, serious and firm. I had to feel him. And I did. I grasped on to the idea immediately. That's why I surrendered to their will. We all agreed West Pointers would clean West Point. And that few outsiders would be allowed to come in and help. We asked the youth of West Point to take the charge. And they did. On that Agreement, we concluded our Meeting.
The Honorable Commissioner set a date for me to meet with the "Movers-and-Shakers" of West Point including the youth. The day came and we met. The Elders and Youth showed up in great numbers. I informed them this was a Youth Volunteer Campaign to help the people of West Point. I promised them all the volunteers would be fed by us. Lone Star Communications Corporation (LSCC) was providing the food. It was providing T-Shirts with their Logo and the Logo of GYSD. LCC was also providing wheelbarrows, shovels, water and juices. All we had to do is to work. The people hailed LCC contribution and thanked them and the rest of our donors (Ministries of Youth & Sports, Labor and FOUTA Rice Corporation). Everyone rolled up his/her sleeves. And we were ready to knock out the dirt.
The first day of the Campaign came on Friday, May 1. My staff and I arrived in West Point at 7:30am. The Pep Talk was scheduled for 8am. At 8am we all converged at the TownHall. The Commissioner spoke. He thanked his people for showing up. He thanked LCC for its support. He thanked FOUTA Rice Corporation, Ministeries of Labor and Youth & Sports for their support for our youth. He and I encouraged the young people of West Point to work bristtle hard in order to clean West Point. Hon. Moore promised to work with us all along the way. And he did. At the closing of the Pep Talk, I passed on the T-Shirts provided by LCC. At 9:30am, we went to work.
We assigned teams at different points. The focus was on the beaches. But we added the Main Street. Here’s the interesting thing that happened. The Main Street is the only street in the Township. It runs from the Market (Waterside) and ends at the dead-end of West Point. Anyone who goes to West Point cannot miss the Main Street. Becasue it is the only street in West Point. And it runs deep into the belly of the Township.
We worked the whole day. We took our first break at 12noon. But there was no food. No water. I reached out in my pocket and bought some food and water. Because the young fellas were starving. And when young people begin to complain about food, one has to be very careful before it gets chaotic. West Point being what it is, could become an explosive case. So I acted immediately. After the young folks got something to munch on, we all sat and began to look into the scheme of things. That's when we started to see things we didn’t take note of in the beginning. We realized cleaning the Main Street was a waste of time. Because as we cleaned the Main Street, marketers and byepassers made more thrash. It was like we had not done anything at all in the area. Papers, plastic and thrash flew around like happy-go-lucky-don't-care. So it clicked our minds. This is what we thought: If we continued cleaning the Main Street and marketers and bypassers kept dropping thrash, our job would never show any sign of progress. And it was true. Because some LCC employees (mind you they are our sponsors) visited the area and concluded the Team working in West Point wasn't doing a "good" job. Little did they know that West Point is an exceptional case. The fact is a small piece of land mass has more than 70,000 people. This is nothing to joke about. This is what we call chaos. So we had to quit cleaning the Main Street if we wanted to make a difference. We turned to the beaches.
When we made our first move cleaning the Beaches, we saw more progress than previously seen. We saw three Beaches in West Point. But we could not clean all three at the same time. So we left Popo and Powerplant Beaches out. We cleaned Kru Beach ONLY. Kru Beach had less thrash and filth than the rest. The thrash on all the Beaches combine could run from the Executive Mansion in Monrovia to J. F. K. Medical Center in Sinkor. THIS IS THE TRUTH! That distance makes up the exact length of the entire West Point Township.
This is the interesting part: The residents told they threw their thrash into the Ocean. But the Ocean returned it back to them. EAch time they sent it back, the Ocean returned it. And so they were tired competing with the Ocean. And so they decided to let the thrash sit on the Beach. So every piece of thrash thrown in the Ocean by residents and rejected by the Ocean sat on the Beaches. It stretched deep into the belly of the Township. Soon it became mountain of thrash.
The thrash on Kru Beach was about 500 yards long and 400 feet wide. The only option was to bury it in the sand. The available dumpsters in West Point are not too closed to any of the Beaches. They are situated all the way down Waterside market. The distance from the dumpsters to the Beach is several hundred yards. Just imagine a person pushing a wheelbarrow. He's doing so in the sand. He's pushing more than 500 yards to the dumpster. He gets to hard ground. And then he has to continue on pushing towards the dumpsters. The dumpster from hard ground is several hundred yards away. By the time he gets to the dumpster, he runs out of every piece of energy. Can he return on the Beach to get another load? Certainly not! So burying the thrash in the sand was the only option. In fact, it was the most sensible thing to do. And that’s just what we did. We knew this was an ecological mess. But what else could we do? We had no choice. We had to apply ourselves to the reality and conditions on the ground.
We had to dig into the sand to bury the thrash. The areas we were digging had already been dug before. And thrash had already been buried there. So each time we dug, we ran into previous thrash. We had to move on to a new area until we found an open area with no thrash. We did all we could. In the end we cleared 500 yards of thrash in two days. We buried the thrash under the sand. After clearing the Beach, the area became very clear. Looking at it from the distance, one can now see the beauty of nature. The white sand is showing beautifully in West Point. For me, that's what I call “progress.” We cleared the Beach. Now you can see the sand. When we got there that morning, thrash covered the sand. Now the thrash is gone. The beautiful sand shows up. Marvelous!
West Pointers were happy. And that's what we wanted to see - happiness! We had cleaned one Beach. And two more Beaches remained untouched. They applauded our work. They expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Some of them were skeptics. They didn't think the Campaign would make a difference. Because they believe the thrash would return again. But they too were happy. They could see the sand devoid of thrash for once. They were happy. We were happy. Our work as volunteers made a difference.
A total number of seven (7) youth organizations residing in West Point registered with us and took part in the Campaign. Namely, 1)Youth United to Fight Poverty (YUFP), 2) FOLAU, 3) Westside Connection, 4) WESPRA, 5) West Point Children Club (WPCC), 6) Boys and Girls of Determination and, 7) Life Safeguard (LG). A total number of four (4) outside youth-based and groups joined the West Point Campaign - 1) Taake Youth Development Association (TYDA), 2) Mission Outreach International, Inc. (MOI), 3) Young Women Initiative (YWI) and 4) Association of Disabled Females International (ADFI). It was a great experience working with people we all did not know and we have come face-to-face with. Facie Harris (YWI) who is a broadcaster at UNMIL Radio joined the Campaign in West Point. Ms. Binta Massaquoi (FWI), an employee of the US Embassy in Liberia along with Grace Johnson of FWI were also there.
The Leadership Team we set up to regulate and coordinate the Campaign includes, Munah Togba (chair), Archie T-Boy Doegmah (co-chair), Joseph Fayiah (member), Albert Tutu, Jnr. (member), Varney Phillip (member), Charles Roberts (member), and Abraham Wleh (member). All the Team members do reside in West Point Township. We are thankful for their leadership and service to their community.
The two-day Campaign was a total success. A recommendation derived from it. A core group needs to be set up to help pick up thrash that old folks cannot carry to the dumpster. The Commissioner told us that the garbbage truck does not reach inside West Point. And the reason is the Main Street is narrow. When the truck enters, it has no way to turn around. And so it stops around the Waterside area to pick up thrash. This is a problem for the old folks. They cannot walk as far as the dumpster due to old-age. So most of the thrash that s found on the Beach is dumped there by old folks. To prevent this, those young folks who are expected to be a part of the Core group that will pick up the old folks’ thrash, will have to receive a stipend. A recommended stipend of $2 to $3 US dollars per day will help them meet some of their needs. The Recommendation is being studied by GYSD Planning Committee. Sponsors are being identified to assist.
We hope people who grew up in West Point and are now successful in their own rights, living in the Diaspora and at home, can lend a financial hand to support the Cause. As per President Sirleaf's Proclamation to keep Monrovia clean on the first Saturday of each month, we are hoping to return to West Point to complete the rest of the Beaches. But funding will be needed.
Thomas G. Bedell/Secretary General/GYSD/011.231.6.920.151
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