Monrovia — In a candid interview with Lawrence Bropleh on ELBC Radio on Wednesday, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2006-2018) described how her administration’s efforts to attract the Dangote Group to Liberia were undermined by bureaucracy and the deliberate actions of some officials.
By Lennart Dodoo and Jeremiah Mulbah
“We extended an invitation to the Dangote Group to establish operations in Liberia, envisioning substantial job creation and a sizable economic influx,” Sirleaf explained. Despite these efforts, she recounted, the project faced severe setbacks.
Sirleaf emphasized the importance of Dangote’s potential investment in Liberia for job creation and economic growth, given the company’s significant footprint in the African industrial sector. “He has made significant investments in at least eight to 10 countries, focusing on cement plants and operations. However, the investment was thwarted by personal agendas and corruption. Officials may seek personal benefits, and if they don’t receive them, they resort to bureaucratic tactics to obstruct progress. Consequently, Liberia currently lacks a Dangote investment in a cement plant,” she explained.
Detailing her struggle against systemic issues, Sirleaf revealed the extensive internal efforts to finalize the investment agreements. “After two years of navigating our bureaucratic tapestry, I managed to forward the agreement to the legislature for ratification on November 30, 2017,” she disclosed. Unfortunately, her tenure concluded without ratification.
The former president also noted that a significant challenge for Liberia is the identity crisis among its citizens, who often focus on emulating the American dream at the expense of national loyalty. “The day we decide that we like Liberia, we stay in Liberia, we make the sacrifices for Liberia, that’s the time Liberia will start to grow. That’s the time Liberia will develop. We keep having, what do you say, boom and bust,” she said.
Sirleaf expressed ongoing concerns about the pervasive nature of corruption, which has stymied numerous developmental initiatives. She outlined the systemic reforms implemented during her tenure aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability but acknowledged the limited success of these measures in eradicating corrupt practices. “Despite efforts to augment salaries and reform compensation structures to deter financial misappropriations, corruption continues to plague our system,” she lamented.
According to her, creating laws or systems to combat corruption is insufficient without a collective commitment to adhere to these systems and hold oneself accountable.
She said: “We have a strong watchdog institution in the media, but they must also verify claims before making accusations. I have faced unjust charges myself. Ignoring the issue of corruption or pretending it doesn’t exist is not in our best interest. It drains the energy of our dynamic youth who want to see their country improve. If we do not provide them with opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to the nation, they will feel disappointed and disillusioned.
“Addressing corruption is not the responsibility of any one person; it requires collective will and determination from all of us. We must work together in our homes, churches, parties, and offices to change Liberia for the better.”
Despite Liberia’s abundance of natural resources, Sirleaf lamented that Sierra Leone has surpassed Liberia in many developmental areas. “It’s sad to say, but Sierra Leone is ahead of us, and there’s no reason for that. With all the resources we have, they are still ahead,” she confessed.
Sirleaf attributed this disparity not to a lack of resources but to Liberia’s failure to seize opportunities and effectively utilize its wealth for national development. “It is our own attitude, our failure to grasp opportunities, use them well, and apply ourselves fully in the interest of our country,” she explained.
She called on Liberians to change their mindset and approach toward national development, noting that progress can only be achieved if everyone works together for the greater good of the country.
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