Review Liberia’s Symbols, History, Sawyer Urges Liberians at National Vision Meeting

08/04/2010 - Sidiki Trawally

Dr. Sawyer addressing traditional chiefs and county officials in Gbarnga
GBARNGA, Bong County -

Source: FrontPage Africa

The Chairman of the Governance Commission of Liberia is calling for a review of Liberia’s national monuments and symbols including the Flag to strengthen their capacity in enhancing unity and national identity.

Addressing an assembly of traditional chiefs and county officials including superintendents at the ongoing broad-based stakeholders’ consultations on national visioning at the Gbarnga Administrative building Tuesday, Dr. Amos Sawyer suggested that Liberians should begin to take a hard look at the Liberian Seal and its motto which reads “the love of liberty brought us here.”

The GC Chairman argued that such a motto does not represent the majority of Liberians. He wants Liberians to understand they are and where they want to go as a people. “How we see ourselves is crucial to our national visioning process. We have to develop a mindset and take ownership of our national development agenda. That is the national psychology that will take us in the driver seat.”

The learned Professor also called for the re-examination of Liberia’s history to enable the citizens to begin building national unity. He advised Liberians to abandon the version of Liberian history that focus primarily on stories of conquest of settlers over natives and promote historical interpretation of Liberia as a mosaic.

The former interim President Sawyer, in his presentation insists the Liberian history is flawed. The GC Boss disclosed most of the stories history being taught in schools, etc focus mainly on wars, disputes; etc which he observes is not helping to strengthen their unity. “We must also address the Mandingo “outsider” myth of contemporary history,” he told the audience.

For example, Dr. Sawyer told the Chiefs and County officials from across the country that majority of Liberian children do not know who King Sao Bosso was. “All they hear is he was a warrior; he beheaded this person and that person. Our children don’t know, because history is not telling them the truth. What we need to know is King Sao Bosso was a Mandingo; a great leader who led a multi-community of ethnic groups in the country.”

He maintained the current national visioning for a long-term growth and development strategy for Liberia can be realized if all Liberians begin to think about genuine reconciliation among them. The GC Chairman expressively noted that one of the major socio-political goals of a new vision for Liberia is having a strong sense of patriotism.

He stressed the need for Liberians to develop a strong sense of citizenship, unity and cohesion. “We should consolidate institutions of good governance, reduce disparities and marginalization; and ensure equity through policies of “growth with development and strengthen commitment to moral, ethical and accountable governance as obligation of government, private sector and citizens,” said Dr. Sawyer.

The Chairman urged that in developing a new Liberian vision and mission, the people should transcend competing historical identities: “Americo-Liberian” or “Congo” versus “indigenous” or “native” and develop sense of common or shared identity. He also urged Liberians to change the mentality that Liberia is America’s Stepchild. “It’s not helping us.”

Also making presentation on the prospect of economic growth and development in Liberia, Deputy Planning Minister for Economic and Policy, Sebastian Muah asked the traditional chiefs to support the national visioning process. He underscored the need for a national vision and long-term plan for growth and development in Liberia.

Minister Muah emphasized that the national visioning scheme is not owned by the Unity Party led government but a national document that will profit all Liberians. “Whether President Sirleaf wins reelection or not, what we are doing today is to set the stage for future generation to be stronger.”

Minister Muah, speaking in simple Liberian English told the Chiefs that the current environment of sustained peace, visionary leadership and political stability presents a unique opportunity for Liberia to transform from a low income to a middle income status consistent with sub-Saharan African standards by 2030.

The Gbarnga meeting was part of Government’s effort to craft a long-term growth and development strategy for Liberia that will succeed the current strategy, the Lift Liberia Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), which concludes in June 2011. The effort will transcend administrations and require the strategy be pragmatic, comprehensive and inclusive to ensure that the gains in economic, social, and political opportunities are shared by the population.

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs and the Governance Commission launched the process to develop a new vision for Liberia to replace the 1821 vision of “Christianizing and civilizing” Liberia.

The Chiefs were led to the meeting by Chief Zanzan Karwor, head of the national traditional chief council while Grand Bassa county Superintendent Julia Cassell headed an array of Superintendents. Both Chief Karwor and Supt. Cassell thanked the Ministry of Planning and the Governance Commission for promoting decentralization in Liberia. They assured the Government of their full participation in the national visioning process in all districts and towns across Liberia.

To be called “Liberia Rising 2030”, the idea is to solicit opinions on the concept of a new vision for Liberia and gather recommendations from stakeholders who have been challenged to take ownership of their country’s future.

The first in the series of the broad-based consultations was held Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Paynesville Townhall with the Civil Service Organizations and Religious community. Interest groups and professional organizations participated in the Thursday, July 29, 2010 session while the students and youth groups as well as the opposition political parties converged on Friday.