Written by Clara K. Mallah
Source: FrontPageAfrica
Bopolu, Gbarpolu County- The Father of St. Monica Parish in Gbarpolu County, Gabriel Sawyer, says the development of the country has been hampered by corrupt government officials in the past and is still glaring in the current government.
The clergyman made the statement to journalists in Gbarpolu County when President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf recently visited the county.
“There is a lot of money that comes into this country from foreign donations. Every time we hear about the money but we don’t see where the money is going. The money comes directly into government’s hands according to reliable resources but the money is squandered by the officials,” Father Sawyer stressed.
Priest Request: Renominate Morlu
The clergyman also called on the president to re-nominate former auditor general John Morlu for another term if she means to fight corruption.
“I think over the years, John Morlu has proven his substance, and he has done justice to this country.
A very young man gave his life to fight against corruption. If a young man can be so bold to fight against this malice that is sinking the country over the years, and cannot be re-nominated by the president, there is much to be desired,” the priest expressed.
Father Sawyer told reporters that the former Auditor General brought forth an audit report that showed facts that those affected in the reports were corrupt, but none of the report from Mr. Morlu was given credence. Said Father Sawyer
: “I am not saying that without John Morlu corruption cannot be fought, but the president asked for us to give her the second term for continuity. So why is she not listening to the masses so that John Morlu can continue his fight?”.
The catholic priest told reporters that while it is true the president has the constitutional will not to re-nominate Morlu, she should know that she is asking the Liberian people for a second term.
“Is the president aware that the Liberians have the constitutional power to vote for her or not? So if she is telling us to vote for her for continuity because she wants to complete what she has started, why can’t she re-nominate John Morlu?,” the priest asked.
Father Sawyer said the prayer rendered at the program should be listened to by the president because it was the spirit of God directing him to say the prayer. “We know she’s a loving mother, and I believe God will touch her heart to re-nominate Morlu. We have not written her formally, but with the prayer, I am hoping the president will honour it and re-nominate John Morlu,” the priest noted.
Father Sawyer said his calls to the president for the re-nomination of Morlu was strictly personal and not as a speaker or representative of the Archdiocese of Monrovia. “Those are my views and as a Liberian, and a pastor of the St. Monica Parish I am only expressing what I think is right,” he said.
Friday, May 20, 2011
News Headline
Everyone is a genius
Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. – A Einstein
Drawing the line in Liberia
Crimes sponsored, committed, or masterminded by handful of individuals cannot be blamed upon an entire nationality. In this case, Liberians! The need for post-war justice is a step toward lasting peace, stability and prosperity for Liberia. Liberia needs a war crimes tribunal or some credible legal forum that is capable of dealing with atrocities perpetrated against defenseless men, women and children during the country's brutal war. Without justice, peace shall remain elusive and investment in Liberia will not produce the intended results. - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Men with unhealthy characters should not champion any noble cause
They pretend to advocate the cause of the people when their deeds in the dark mirror nothing else but EVIL!!
When evil and corrupt men try to champion a cause that is so noble … such cause, how noble it may be, becomes meaningless in the eyes of the people - Bernard Gbayee Goah.
When evil and corrupt men try to champion a cause that is so noble … such cause, how noble it may be, becomes meaningless in the eyes of the people - Bernard Gbayee Goah.
If Liberia must move forward ...
If Liberia must move forward in order to claim its place as a civilized nation amongst world community of nations, come 2017 elections, Liberians must critically review the events of the past with honesty and objectivity. They must make a new commitment to seek lasting solutions. The track records of those who are presenting themselves as candidates for the position of "President of the Republic of Liberia" must be well examined. Liberians must be fair to themselves because results from the 2011 elections will determine the future of Liberia’s unborn generations to come - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Liberia's greatest problem!
While it is true that an individual may be held responsible for corruption and mismanagement of funds in government, the lack of proper system to work with may as well impede the process of ethical, managerial, and financial accountability - Bernard Gbayee Goah
What do I think should be done?
The situation in Liberia is Compound Complex and cannot be fixed unless the entire system of government is reinvented.
Liberia needs a workable but uncompromising system that will make the country an asylum free from abuse, and other forms of corruption.
Liberia needs a workable but uncompromising system that will make the country an asylum free from abuse, and other forms of corruption.
Any attempt to institute the system mentioned above in the absence of rule of law is meaningless, and more detrimental to Liberia as a whole - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Liberia's Natural Resources
Besides land water and few other resources, most of Liberia’s dependable natural resources are not infinite, they are finite and therefore can be depleted.
Liberia’s gold, diamond, and other natural resources will not always be an available source of revenue generation for its people and its government. The need to invent a system in government that focuses on an alternative income generation method cannot be over emphasized at this point - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Besides land water and few other resources, most of Liberia’s dependable natural resources are not infinite, they are finite and therefore can be depleted.
Liberia’s gold, diamond, and other natural resources will not always be an available source of revenue generation for its people and its government. The need to invent a system in government that focuses on an alternative income generation method cannot be over emphasized at this point - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Liberia needs a proper system
If Liberians refuse to erect a proper system in place that promotes the minimization of corruption and mismanagement of public funds by government institutions, and individuals, there will come a time when the value of the entire country will be seen as a large valueless land suited on the west coast of Africa with some polluted bodies of waters and nothing else. To have no system in place in any country is to have no respect for rule of law. To have no respect for rule of law is to believe in lawlessness. And where there is lawlessness, there is always corruption - Bernard Gbayee Goah
If Liberians refuse to erect a proper system in place that promotes the minimization of corruption and mismanagement of public funds by government institutions, and individuals, there will come a time when the value of the entire country will be seen as a large valueless land suited on the west coast of Africa with some polluted bodies of waters and nothing else. To have no system in place in any country is to have no respect for rule of law. To have no respect for rule of law is to believe in lawlessness. And where there is lawlessness, there is always corruption - Bernard Gbayee Goah
Solving problems in the absence of war talks
As political instability continues to increase in Africa, it has become abundantly clear that military intervention as a primary remedy to peace is not a durable solution. Such intervention only increases insecurity and massive economic hardship. An existing example which could be a valuable lesson for Liberia is Great Britain, and the US war on terror for the purpose of global security. The use of arms whether in peace keeping, occupation, or invasion as a primary means of solving problem has yield only little results. Military intervention by any country as the only solution to problem solving will result into massive military spending, economic hardship, more fear, and animosity as well as increase insecurity. The alternative is learning how to solve problems in the absence of war talks. The objective of such alternative must be to provide real sustainable human security which cannot be achieved through military arm intervention, or aggression. In order to achieve results that will make the peaceful coexistence of all mankind possible, there must be a common ground for the stories of all sides to be heard. I believe there are always three sides to every story: Their side of the story, Our side of the story, and The truth – Bernard Gbayee Goah