How significantly has the quality of life of the Liberian people improved since 1997?
Although I didn't live in Liberia during the beginning and throughout most of the civil conflict, I had the persistence to urge as a Liberian, to stay on constant contact with my parents and relatives. As a result, I returned to Liberia several times, traveling back and forth on three or four visits.
As I reflect on that difficult period, I recalled the sudden, drastic dislocation and erratic movements of our people, fleeing their original places of habitat to find a corner of peace in often distant and unknown territories. Liberians fortunate to flee the country, found themselves refugees for the first time in our civil history in foreign and distant lands. Those too afraid to leave their homes became internally displaced persons, forced to change their harbors of safety sometimes after having secured the same.
War, like death, considers all men equal, for everyone was affected, the rich and the poor alike. The most affected though, were the old, the women and the children. Many persons lost their lives, and in a situation where people were constantly moving and shifting, it was almost impossible to build anything.
Since the democratic elections of 1997, there have been significant changes in the overall quality of life of our nation and citizenry. The Taylor-led government has secured and restored peace and stability to Liberia. People in general, are trying with the meager means available to rebuild their lives. The President is trying to restore the "dignity of labor" concept to the people, as a means of encouraging each one to take his or her own destiny in their hands through self-employment, vocational training, retraining and a return to the soil.
The President's Yassa Zoe Integrated Farm situated in Gbarnga , Bong county of Central Liberia, is a fine example of a leader of demonstrable goodwill and courage. This initiative is an attempt to restore confidence in the populace that the environment is adequately secured for all level of investments, especially as Liberians are being motivated by this move, to participate in the production of Liberia's staple food, rice. The President wants us to grow what we consume. By and large, this fine initiative has propelled many more Liberians to own and operates farms.
The old farm cooperatives of large rural cocoa, coffee and rubber farm estates are restarting and giving the national economic situation a boost. If this momentum continues, much more can be achieved. The government is striving to repair the farm to market road networks, to guarantee that with time, people will be able to bring their produce and commodities to the markets. There is now more food available than before, for if you visit our local markets especially at the end of each day, there is a lot of food that is wasted. Although this can be attributed to our lack of facilities for storage, processing and preservation, this could also be interpreted as a time of plenty. People are generally in a better state than before. I can vividly remember driving down the streets and seeing children looking very skinny, with bloated bellies and legs. This is no longer the picture, for we can now see happy kids running around. For now, the main quest is a chance for an education, and easy access to health facilities when sick. There is even a lot of rehabilitation of lives, in terms of physical rebuilding of damaged structures, and a lot of activities of Small and Medium Enterprises. I hope and pray that with a stable environment, our Nation will be able to rebuild all aspects of our lives.
In your opinion, what was the main step forward?
The major step forward in my opinion is that the Liberian government has been able to secure and maintain peace and security. If you consider that the country has been able to repel three or four incursions against its territory, and has contained the situation at their sources, thus preventing a spill over to the country at large, this I believe, is a credible feat by a government struggling without any assistance, to hold itself up by "its own boot straps". The situation in Lofa County is a sad and disturbing one, but the government forces are in control.
The government is steadily improving the administration of its territories. We now have 15 counties and a new statutory district. For complementarities and equitable redistribution of our meager resources, the counties have now grouped into administrative regions of 5 regions. Peace, security and stability remain the primary focus of the government, as it gains momentum in creating the enabling environment for sustainable development.
We have been pleased to receive grants and assistance from some friendly governments, especially from the government of the Republic of China. The Taiwanese assistance has facilitated improvements of our international airport in our attempt to restore it to internationally accepted aviation standards by installing the required navigational, meteorological and control tower communication equipment. The grant has also facilitated significant improvements in the electricity and water sectors of our economy. The total package of assistance has impacted significantly on the development of initiatives of our post-war country, and with the changes taking place, the improved services being provided at our main ports of entry, including the NPA, are real indications of positive changes on the whole.
The new impetus must be encouraged and supported as opportunities for doubters go come and test the waters for themselves. There is indeed a lot happening here at home, and the way forward is to sustain the momentum, to guarantee completion of the restoration of institutions and infrastructures, to continue providing free access and movements of goods and of people in and out of our territory. Liberia is indeed at the crossroads of its history, and its people are dedicated more than ever before, to remain a gateway for the transshipment of goods and services all over the continent, and providing a place of safe haven for those in need of same.
It seems that besides the Taiwanese government there is a lack of funding from the international community?
When you talk about major players coming and helping, they are number one. It is sad that we keep trying to get people to see that there is an opportunity here for growth and development of all kinds. Liberia has also been a champion for democracy in Africa and the world at large. We have indeed been "our brothers keepers", and we need the assistance of our friends and the global community as whole, to impact on our initiatives. This way, Liberia and its people can grow again and regain the status we had meaningfully established before, and are capable of being again.
Do you think that Liberia is suffering from unfair treatment?
I think so. And I feel strongly that when you talk about a country, it is not just about one person or not just a government. It is about a whole group of people interrelated and interdependent that need a chance to rebuild their futures. There are a lot of ways that people can assist this nation, but nothing has been done. Most of the United Nations Agencies have seen their funds dwindling, instead of increasing, even though they attend only specifically to the social service needs of the country in the areas of education, health, agriculture and other areas that really make a difference in the lives of the common people. This does guarantee somehow, a significant improvement of the quality of life and of the social well being of the people.
Why then, are the concerned and relevant nations and agencies not increasing funding to those areas which have been proven to impact significantly the development indices, even where they may have disagreements with the government? How can they let a whole nation starve because of one person or one government? I think this is very unfair, and this shows that our neighbors and the world at large lack the moral consciousness and willpower to make a difference in the Liberia situation.
I also believe, that it is so unfair that a nation such as ours, is being misjudged by a campaign of misinformation and outdated information. Such bias reporting against a State affects everything we are attempting to accomplish. And except for those who brave the storm to come here to see for themselves, negative information on its own remains a damaging weapon. One good example of genuine interest is the Oriental Timber Company (OTC), which came to the aid of Liberia, when no one was concerned or interested. This company has remained a major force for the development of southeastern Liberia, and its immense investment has reinvigorated the timber industry of the nation, providing tax revenues for the government, assisting in the rebuilding of our farm-to-market roads as well as providing thousands of job opportunities of that once dormant area.
How do you see your role as the First Lady of the Nation?
My role as First Lady of Liberia is presently very different from that of any previous First Lady of our land. This is attributed mainly to the fact that we have just emerged out of a very difficult and long period of crisis in our history. As a result, my role and responsibilities have been ascribed by the crisis itself, and its consequences upon the people; especially the pressing needs and social well being of the people, including the women, youths and children.
As First Lady of a post-war Nation, I have the mandate to assist in supplementing the government's efforts in carrying out its social and humanitarian dictates on behalf of our war affected and destitute population. As such, I am involved in a lot of activities from education, health and social welfare to politics and everything in between. I hardly spare time, but the experience is encouraging and very rewarding. That is why I am proud to be part of that process. I am hoping and praying however, that after the first term in office, things would have change for the better of the nation and our people.
| So I keep praying that the Lord will sustain me to do, earnestly, the things that are necessary to help change our social status. Because a lot of times people focus on the political issues instead of also concentrating on the social service needs of the people, which are so critical to National development and progress. There are children without homes or decent places to stay; neither can say access basic education. This is the group I am keenly concerned about, for they are our future, without a present. My constant fear is that unless we can change this situation around, we are prone to loose the next generation of future citizens, who might not, overtime, acquire the required skills, training and competence to face the challenges of the new Millennium, which so dauntingly lie ahead. The sad part of my responsibilities is that there are indeed a lot of challenges without the required resources for sustainable remedies. I have pledged to continue to do what I can with what is available - "So Help Me God".
What has been your contribution to the social uplifting of the country from the health and education perspective?
We have been involved actively in the creation of an enabling environment for our children to access basic education, good health facilities and better living conditions. And as such, we have assisted in all areas of social development, especially in the renovation of schools, providing scholarships for students that are disadvantaged, and the distribution of textbooks to guarantee that some of our school-going kids have equal access to the rudiments of education. One prime achievement has been the renovation and re-establishment of the Bassa Community Academy, formerly the Bassa Teenage School. This school is ideally situated in one of the key and oldest community in Monrovia.
The new school has been upgraded to meet the standards of any foreign and international school, providing for the first time, the most ideal and conducive post-war school environment to the community children, free of tuition. This is an accomplishment in the government's attempt to provide basic free primary education, which is in line with the "Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child".
The school has an enrolment of 300 students, all of who commute by foot, to their own neighborhood school. The school environment, the educational and instructional materials as well as visual aids, and its facilities, which include a library, auditorium, arts and sporting facilities as well as a computer room, are so ideal that immediately upon entering the enclosure, one is apt to believe you are in a classroom in America or Europe.
This, for me, is one of the positive achievements to have been challenged to provide the best possible for our Liberian children. It is also an example that gradually, with the resources and the will power of all Liberians, much can be achieved, as nothing with the help of the Almighty God is impossible.
This task was not achieved without difficulty. We, however, put into place a proper mechanism to guarantee that the best human, financial and material resources were arranged to meaningfully facilitate the running and maintenance of this new school. In the first place, the old teaching staff was reclassified according to the Ministry of Education's teaching qualification requirements, this way, only those prepared for the job were recruited. New and qualified instructional staff was employed to reinforce the capacity of the administration to handle this new school experience. Although the school has limited resources, we are providing opportunities for upgrading of the teaching staff by providing scholarships for those requiring university-level education to enroll at the appropriate teacher training at the University of Liberia, the Nation's highest Learning Institution. Remaining very keen on providing a favorable environment for learning, we also provided assistance to the University of Liberia through contribution of books for a restoration of the institution's library. As a member of the University Board of Trustee, we are engaged in lobbying for the much needed financial and material resources to upgrade the standard of the institution.
In the health sector, I continue to work with the Liberian Ministry of Health, to facilitate their efforts at renovating health facilities throughout the nation. During my travel abroad, I have been able to solicit and acquire a lot of hospital and medical equipment, supplies, especially from the USA. This has enabled and facilitated an upgrading of our hospital system, and provided encouragement for many foreign doctors and medical workers, to come and provide free medical services to our country. We were privileged to receive visiting foreign medical teams over the last two years, but work was done basically in and around Monrovia. I am hoping that future teams will be encouraged to move beyond Monrovia towards the rural areas where there is also a great need for assistance. Also as Chairman of the Board of the J.F.K. Medical Center, we have worked tirelessly to upgrade the facilities and bring them back on line. We have recently received from the Taiwanese government, a 2 million USD grant that will help us restore basic services.
The situation of female youth in crisis also remains a key concern of mine. With assistance from the government of Liberia and the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to Liberia, we were also able to restart the Y.W.C.A Program for teenage girls. This enabled our relocation of fifty girls from the streets, who were found to be in very difficult circumstances. At the Y.W.C.A, we have provided an ideal environment of a fully renovated and furnished facility; we are providing vocational and skill training opportunities for all residents.
For the over 25 years old category of girls, who have missed out on the opportunity for completion of formal secondary and or higher education, the program provides a choice for training in skill development for self-employment or gainful employment in the areas of cosmetology through enrollment at the Ministry of Education's school of cosmetology program. Others are involved by choice and preference in pastry and cake making, tie-dying, quilt-making and floral design and arrangement, all in attempt to assist them to earn a livelihood upon completion of the two-year program.
On the social and humanitarian front, we have been providing assistance to over 30 orphanages, hospitals and old folks homes under our regular social assistance program involving the monthly distribution of food items, clothing and some financial assistance for medical and educational services. During special holidays and especially at Christmas time, we also distribute gifts and toys including educational toys to warm the hearts of the "Jewel of our Nation" at these special times of giving. Our social assistance also extends to the elderly fro whom we have carried out renovations at some homes. One renovated facility was provided a generator for the provision of electricity; unfortunately, the building is not outfitted with the proper electrical fittings as yet, but all is being done to restore light to this facility.
In the general sense, I strive to always be a positive role model and have been a strong advocate for the moral and all positive things concerning life in general in our Nation. My messages are clear, some of them concerning prevention of the spread of Aids, maternal-child-care, moral values, the value of good education…I strongly believe that my role as First Lady is to continue to help my husband, the President, in the implementation of social services and any other assistance that I can give, with God's help, to the people of Liberia.
How significantly are women represented in government?
I attended the first cabinet meeting of this year and was pleased to note that female members of the Cabinet had rose to five over the previous year. This includes the Ministers of The Ministries of Commerce, Education, Post & Telecommunications, Planning and Economic Affairs and myself. The Chief Justice, who is also a female, is a very positive role model. There are also few but very strong and assertive women Senators and Representatives in the Liberian Legislature. In order to emerge full women participation at all levels, the government has passed a bill for the establishment of the Liberian Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. Although this is a milestone for Liberia, it is quite a late start for most of our regional neighbors who have already instituted and functioning Bureaus and Ministries for Women. But better late than never. We have a charge to keep. The attainment of this institution remains for us Liberians, a necessary requirement considering a female population of over 52%, with a vast majority of the farmers and marketers women. This situation must be given consideration for if women are given the right opportunities to access resources, acquire and inherit title to land, real property as well as credit, they would significantly impact the economy and the overall well being of the Nation and its citizenry.
I believe the government has been in the forefront of advancing changes for its people, but its efforts must be reinforced by external assistance to the most vulnerable groups. I can only hope and pray, that more investments and aid can be directed towards women's activities, this way, they will be able to prove that they are indeed equal partners in this revolution, especially as they engage in the renovation, rebuilding and rehabilitation of their lives and their homes.
What message would you like to address to our half a million readers of the Far Eastern Economic Review?
I extend a warm Hand of Friendship and Love to our Brothers and Sisters of the world, on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Liberia. Our message is simple. One in which the threshold of a New Year and New Millennium already gave to all mankind. One of hope, the promises of a new and better era in our history, one of Love and Peace between us and all of the Nations of the world. For us, it's hope of a new beginning that signifies new aspirations and imbues a reaffirmation of our Faith in God and a renewed determination to move ahead. We have been through a very difficult period, one in which we have had a time for sober reflection and deep thoughts. And for a true evaluation of where we stands as a people, at the threshold of our future. We need your prayers and your forgiveness, for all of our shortcomings. We need your cooperation and assistance for our developmental and humanitarian agenda for our people for the coming years. We are convinced, that with your help, our determination and consistency of purpose, we can succeed and thus after in a new era of the fulfillment of man's cherished dreams-Global Peace and Security. In this light, I cherish the hope that the coming years will signify the uplifting of the lives of the Liberian Nation and the world at large.
May God grant us His Peace. |
OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY