Corruption is too hurting, repressive and depriving to the masses because of the selfish interest of the powerful. Transparency International defines corruption as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. Corruption flourishes for few but fuels high infant mortality unfortunately.
It’s too deadly to keep mushrooming in Liberia. Yes, corruption bears the greater responsibility for the poor standard of living in Liberia.
United Nation’s Convention Against Corruption describes this dishonesty as “an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies”. The world body further says, corruption “undermines democracy and the rule of law. It leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish”.
Judging between disease outbreaks and corruption, one would safely conclude that most overwhelming viruses in Liberia got their roots outside the country, but corruption that hurts Liberia comes from within. A Liberian made virus that shortens the life expectancy and deprives young people of their God-giving potentials is called CORRUPTION, in my reading. Corruption is the paramount reason, among others, why our Liberian governments never got adequate resources to care for the basic social services like safe drinking water, electricity and healthcare since the civil war ended nearly two (2) decades.
Now that Liberia goes to its third post-war presidential elections in 2023, I suggest the most relevant election debates should center on corruption and its daunting effects. Incumbent President George M. Weah and his government should justify a glaring dichotomy between a rich government and a depressingly poor citizenry. Unlike 2017, Mr. President himself should articulate stewardship compliance to the laws of Liberia. No proxy should be allowed at a better voice of our President.
For opposition candidates, the response to the demanding fight against corruption should not be all just flamboyant assertions. Each one standing for these elections should be subject to reflection of past and pubic life, associations and affiliations and the advancement of strategy to curb corruption. A probing discussion ahead of these elections will serve a greater good of previewing the president to expect in 2024. Some of the candidates on the election screen have served public offices and tolerated or indirectly supported corrupt acts; some have served with enviable records in private enterprises but have affiliated with highly corrupt and fearless individuals for political reasons. Whatever side of the coin, watchdogs of society (the media and the civil society) should stand tough to probe the past and present integrity proven individuals aspiring for public offices.
Corruption in several forms has derailed the dignity of the nation. For the worse reason, corruption is a common odd practice in every nook and cranny of our nation. One of the prevalent criminal acts practiced everywhere every day is corruption. From the policeman to the preacher, all take corruption as a sustainable source of support for livelihood. Government officials live big not only on salaries but on “cuts” illegally gotten. What’s a nation filled with churches but rejoices in stealing!
So welcoming is corruption in our society to the extent by which people demonize revealers and fighters against the menace. Once you care for fame, dare not speak or act against corrupt officials. Impression in some quarters suggests that some of Liberia’s best brainy technocrats lost their lives prematurely, because of their attempts to unveil and prevent grave corrupt practices. As scaring as it looks, we good people of our nation need to remain resilient to fight on until economic equity is evident in Liberia.
To get Liberia seeking the right cure for corruption, the media and civil society need to start early engagements of political aspirants on their proposals to fight corruption. The media remain test for the immunity of our democracy. Proving the potential of our democracy to rid itself of corruption, the media need to begin holding conversations surrounding such critical matter ahead of 2023. The first post war government for 12 years was characterized by corruption. Another ongoing six (6) term is colored by corruption. Anderson Miamen, the Executive Director, Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has this to say: “President Weah’s stance against corruption is very weak and disappointing. Practically, he is undermining the work of public integrity institutions, especially the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission”.
How sure are we that the future is bright and free of corruption? We need to begin the conversation as a core subject matter in 2023 Elections. Our leaders should not be allowed to shift blames and direct public attention from their failures to act against corruption. Corruption is a national threat!