Liberians go to the polls in October 2023 to elect a president and the legislators. Despite the growing poverty, unemployment rate, insecurity, poor educational system, and massive corruption in government, Liberians' right to peacefully elect their leaders is alive. However, it is unclear whether many voters know this opportunity's significance. The nation elected President Mr. George Weah, a soccer player, in 2017. In the past five years, the people have experienced the worst lawlessness, economic hardship, government disinformation about development, and poor performance of government ministries and agencies. The lesson learned is, do not allow a celebrity to influence your leadership choices. Mr. Weah was one of the greatest soccer players but did not have the leadership ability to lead as president.

Liberians need to put aside social and economic relationships with potential candidates. It is essential to evaluate candidates based on their integrity, knowledge about people's needs, ability to create jobs in the private sector, and ability to maintain adequate national security. Here are a few indicators:

• Presidential aspirants are clandestinely trying to buy votes instead of relying on their experience, education, contributions to society, and ability to inspire voters.
• Does the presidential candidate plan to recycle government officials? Who are the presidential candidates' political associates? Are they suspected financial criminals? It is crucial to support an innovator who wants to change the political landscape.
• Ask those running to become lawmakers about their intentions. What are their positions on the lawmakers' high salaries and benefits? We need to know if they will reduce their wages and benefits to support development programs in Liberia. 
• What are the contributions of the lawmakers seeking another term to their communities?  

Liberians from all walks of life must see these general elections as an opportunity to change the trajectory of Liberia. The key is not to allow any bribe to influence your vote. One of the senior government officials suggested that when government officials give you money as a bribe, you must take it because it is yours, but vote for the right candidate.

According to local and international researchers, Liberians are not doing well under the Pro-Poor Agenda. More than 50% of Liberians live in poverty, while corruption is increasing and disproportionally affecting the poor. The World Bank reported in 2021 that poverty increased from 50.9% to 52%. President Weah immediately abandoned the pillar of the Pro-Poor Agenda that was supposed to change the people's lives after the 2017 presidential election that brought him to power because he wanted to focus on building a road network across the country. Building roads could benefit the people, but he failed to persuade the Liberian people to endure the present social and economic challenges for the long-term benefits of better roads. According to the World Bank, Liberia needs $350 million to $600 million annually for the roads. 

The president's dream of building roads collapsed when the international financial institutions and governments detected the continuation of massive corruption, incompetent officials, and higher salaries and benefits for executive officials and lawmakers and disapproved of road loans. Most of the money could end up in the pockets of officials. For example, Mr. Samuel Tweah, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, claimed he used the funds donated for the road construction to pay salaries. 

Liberia is not likely to improve under President Weah because he and his die-hard supporters are unaware of the immediate issues in the country or are not interested in solving problems facing ordinary Liberians. Instead of tackling the challenges, they appear comfortable with misleading reports from government officials and unreliable information from abroad.

• The unemployment rate in Liberia is 4.01% (Central Bank of Liberia.)
• Investments in the private sector increased by less than 1% (Central Bank of Liberia.) 
• The current inflation rate of Liberia is 6.09%(IMF.) 

These are not accurate about Liberia. The president returned to Liberia after more than a month away and boasted that the inflation was under control while ignoring the suffering in the country. He did not explain the strategy he used to control inflation. Inflation is increasing prices of goods and services persistently. Usually, it happens when consumers have more money and are willing to buy, but a few goods and services are available. Actual inflation never happens in Liberia. Many Liberians have no jobs and live on less than $2,00 a day. Liberians have no buying power. Poverty controls the demand for goods and services and the inflation rate of Liberia, not the government's policies. 

It is correct President Weah inherited several challenges, but not acknowledging them is a misrepresentation of the people. Liberians are suffering. The government needs to provide accurate information about Liberia to the world for appropriate support. 

Note the Liberian Future Defender wants to create awareness to help the Liberian government, Liberians worldwide, international institutions, and foreign governments make educated choices in Liberia's best interest.  

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           The United States could sanction President Weah's administration if he continues harboring corrupt and incompetent officials to the detriment of the Liberian people. Therefore, the minister of finance and development planning, Samuel Tweah, Minister of Presidential Affairs Nathaniel McGill, and others must be dismissed for corruption, inability to perform their duties, and lack of democratic values. The United States sanctioning Mr. McGill and others is a warning for the administration. 

           Liberians and the international community identified corruption as the leading cause of the poor economy, lack of efficient public services, and increasing poverty in Liberia. Corruption is out of control due to president Weah's lack of ability and willingness to address the country's most challenging issue. The president ignores the public outcry and the United States Government's new strategy for countering corruption in Liberia. The Americans indicated that corruption in government consumed billions of dollars of assistance to Liberia after the civil war. Click here for details: https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-us-deputy-ambassador-realities-corruption-liberia

            When corruption is uncovered, Weah's common strategy is to remain quiet until the situation goes away from the public discussion. It happened with those recently accused of corruption at the ministry of agriculture by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). They are likely to walk away without prosecution. Liberians at home and abroad must recognize that corruption is destroying the country. Therefore, Liberians must work together to stop this deadly disease (corruption) that is destroying the fabric of our society. We need to reject corrupt practices regardless of who is president. The most likely effective strategies for fighting corruption are prosecution, years in jail, and restitution or rejection of any administration at the poll that engages in corruption. 

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               Fellow Liberians and friends worldwide, thank you for celebrating our 175 years of independence. The Liberian Future Defender appreciates your support during a prosperous and challenging time in our history. Despite our overwhelming challenges, Liberia has a rich history. It is the first independent republic on the continent of Africa. The nation has an unbreakable relationship with the United States, one of the world's greatest, great nations. Liberia was built based on the blueprints of the United States. Logically, Liberia should be one of the best in Africa regarding innovation, development, and human progress.

             Of course, our nation is 100 years behind its time. However, that is not a life sentence for the country. There is still time and opportunity to revert the course or trajectory of our beloved nation to improve ordinary people's lives. We cannot allow the past and present challenges to determine our nation's future. Several nations emerged from civil wars and other difficulties to become prosperous countries. For example, after a national genocide, Rwanda has achieved impressive economic growth lifting its citizens out of poverty in recent years.

               What does Liberia need to become a prosperous nation and lift its citizens out of poverty?

• The nation needs government officials who work for the people, not personal interests. Making unproductive laws, deceptive      governance, and misguided judiciary system must be replaced with equitable practices. For example, the recent dual citizen bill restricting natural-born  Liberians from holding key national offices while the nation's literacy rate is 48% has no social, economic, or political benefits. Our best minds abroad may not be willing to abandon their citizenship to return to Liberia to serve. Other nations with such restrictions have different, better circumstances. For example, Ghana has a literacy rate of 79%, with massive skillful professionals at home, which is far better than Liberia. 
• The country needs to develop a governing master plan that includes well-defined, measurable objectives for all ministries and      agencies for transparency and accountability. 
• The nation's support institutions such as political parties in Liberia and their auxiliaries abroad, human rights groups, and advocacy organizations must strive for best practices. Engaging in      activities for personal benefits is counterproductive. For example, in the  past and present, several diaspora organizations supported corrupt  administrations in Liberia for individual interests.
• The government must create opportunities to enable the people to build their communities. For example, attracting foreign investors or supporting Liberian businesses will create jobs in the private sector, especially in the rural areas. Appointing qualified people as ambassadors to collaborate with the National Investment Commission of Liberia to promote investment opportunities in the country could be a game-changer.
• Strengthening our independent democratic institutional      structures is not only essential for receiving international recognition      as a genuinely democratic nation but produces competent leaders. For example, Liberia needs an actual independent national elections commission to help select visionary leaders.

           A written idea is not a silver bullet or magical solution to address complicated problems. It requires monitoring and support to ensure success. Therefore, the nation needs a full-time president to be successful. We want all Liberians and our international friends to continue to support Liberia to overcome its challenges. Thank you, may God bless Liberia! 

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              A political class is a concept developed by Italian political theorist Gaetano Mosca in the 1900s. The theory refers to a group of citizens from whom the national leadership is drawn regardless of qualifications. The new dual citizenship bill passed in Liberia called for similar practice. Natural-born Liberians holding dual citizenships are not eligible to run for public offices and hold certain senior positions in the government. We want to call on President Weah to reject the bill to protect the future of Liberia. The nation does not need a political class society. It has no benefits. The bill is a time bomb with the potential to destabilize the country. This 19th-century practice could produce the followings:

• Rebirth of a monkey works baboon draws that led to the military coup in 1980. It is unrealistic to expect well-educated and      experienced diaspora Liberians to accept this deprivation and abuse of  power.
• Provides compelling reasons for forming political forces abroad to challenge the status quo in Liberia.
• Hinders Economic development due to a lack of participation of Liberians returning home will technological skills and ability. We need diaspora Liberians to support economic growth in the      country.
• The international community, human rights groups, donors, and financial institutions may express concerns about this bill's      impacts on their contributions to Liberia. These support groups could realize the challenges of relying on many incompetent officials to manage the nation's resources.

           Dual citizenship that gives natural-born Liberians equal rights could be a game changer. Many experienced, educated, and qualified Liberians abroad could return home to contribute to the country's development. The right to vote without an opportunity to serve in important positions is not in the country's best interest. Again, President Weah must reject this bill and request the removal of the restrictions that denied natural-born Liberians the right to hold critical positions in the country.

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         Liberians and the international community identified corruption as the leading cause of the poor economy, lack of efficient public services, and increasing poverty in Liberia. Corruption is out of control due to president Weah's lack of ability and willingness to address the country's most challenging issue. The president ignores the public outcry and the United States Government's new strategy for countering corruption in Liberia. The Americans indicated that corruption in government consumed billions of dollars of assistance to Liberia after the civil war. Click here for details: https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-us-deputy-ambassador-realities-corruption-liberia

              When corruption is uncovered, Weah's common strategy is to remain quiet until the situation goes away from the public discussion. It is likely to happen with those recently accused of corruption at the ministry of agriculture by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). They are likely to walk away without prosecution.

              Liberians at home and abroad must recognize that corruption is destroying the country. Therefore, Liberians must work together to stop this deadly disease (corruption) that is destroying the fabric of our society. We need to reject corrupt practices regardless of who is president. The most likely effective strategies for fighting corruption are prosecution, years in jail, and restitution or rejection of any administration at the poll that engages in corruption. 

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            There is nothing most dangerous to Liberia’s future than corruption. For nearly two centuries, there is no real chance of pulling many Liberians out of poverty due to corrupt practices in almost every facet of our society. Once again, the Liberian Lawmakers are facing a troubling investigation for corruption. According to Liberian Daily Observer, some members of this highest paying body in the country are suspected of taking bribes to approve the request to print 48 billion Liberian dollars.

            This development is a tragedy!  Some Liberian Legislators show no interest in reducing poverty, the well-being of every citizen, and improving the nation’s international standing. Recently, a long-serving member, Senator Varney Sherman, became an international suspect for taking bribes and other financial crimes in Liberia. This time ordinary Liberians must demand a thorough investigation and an appropriate action for proven criminal activities. Also, those who offered bribes must face investigations. It is time to stop the dishonest and unpatriotic officials in the country. Please see Liberian Future Defender on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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