In all political contests, there are bound to be winners and losers. In any case, a loser retains his/her citizenship and therefore is entitled to constitutional rights, privileges and opportunities of the country’s political activity, while also abiding by civic obligations. One difference, however: he/she is never designated to serve on the winning team with responsibility to identify and recommend for appointment consideration.
On the other hand, the political figure emerging victoriously is the preferred choice of the people, being one who is regarded as best to govern at that time in history for their common good. It does not entail conferment of authority to exclude others from the national development initiatives, and I am not unmindful that political favors rendered by party loyalists and other supporters must be rewarded as natural expectations.
Notwithstanding, does that mean doing away with professionals and technocrats who possess specialized skills and expertise needed to succeed? I think not! For examples, who would not wish to see technocrats and results-oriented individuals like Mary Broh (GSA) Ben Karmoh (EPA), Harry Conway (LiMA-IMO), Yevewoh Subah (Fisheries) and James Dorbor Jallah (PPCC), just to name a few, in their administration? These are professionals whose training, expertise, experience and competence to deliver in their respective assignments Liberia needs, if we must hold our own against professionals of other nations.
Take Ben Karmoh, Liberia’s foremost climate change expert: he is Liberia’s Focus Person to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the repository of knowledge of our engagement with the UNFCCC for the past years. Removing such a person from the EPA automatically creates a very big void that will take years to fill. The same holds for Harry Conway, a young Liberian who has become one of the country’s brightest and best trained maritime professionals today. Such is his competence that the all-important Marine Environment Protection Committee of the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) elected him as Vice Chair for 2018. The decision leading to his election to this portfolio was determined on the basis of his specialized maritime competency, and not related to his country of nationality. Equally so, Mr. Subah is one of Liberia’s best fisheries experts. As for Madam Broh and James Dorbor Jallah, their respective well-known performances speak for them.
In short, President Weah needs every well-established technocrat available to him, but certainly not shallow political appointees parading under the high banner of self-glorification! And of course, there should be no room for those with questionable character known historically to pursue various forms of personal gains: endless travel being a typical example amongst others. However, those whose removal would diminish the country’s competitive advantages and status in the international arena should be considered. This is not a matter of party politics but one of national interest. I am a CDCian, but will not ill-advise my leader to make decisions he may regret later. Liberia needs technocrats with the professional pedigree that will make the Government shine. Liberia is not an island but a member of the comity of nations. We must therefore retain and recruit the best to this end.
Email: josephjubor5@gmail.com