Published: September 2, 2024
MONROVIA — Prominent Liberian economist and political figure, Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh, has sounded the alarm over staggering economic disparities in Liberia, revealing that 98.6 percent of the population subsists on less than three hundred Liberian dollars per day.
The three-time presidential candidate, who was defeated in the 1997, 2005, and 2011 elections, made this disclosure during a panel discussion at the 21st Anniversary of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement, held over the weekend at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
Known for his work in promoting human rights and development in Liberia and Africa, Dr. Tipoteh emphasized the need for the equal distribution of the country’s resources, noting that the current situation amounts to injustice and disadvantages ordinary citizens.
“So, as we speak here, 98.6 percent of the people of Liberia have access to less than three hundred Liberian dollars (L$300) per day,” he revealed.
He recounted that in the 1950s, it was recorded that less than one percent of the people of Liberia had access to over sixty percent of the country’s economic wealth.
He said this low standard of living has become an age-old problem, which has driven some citizens to engage in violent acts rather than seek peaceful ways to change or reverse the situation.
Dr. Tipoteh also stated that this problem has been addressed, as evidenced by the world record of the October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative Elections’ results.
Referring to world statistics, the senior African economist indicated that 76.86 percent of the voting-age population of the country participated in the October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative Elections. Out of this, he said, 40 percent were young people between the ages of 18 to 35.
Reflecting on the wise and independent decisions made by Liberian citizens during the 2023 elections, Dr. Tipoteh noted that many members of the 53rd Legislature were voted out by their constituents, who demonstrated their constitutional powers through the ballot box rather than resorting to insults over political disagreements.
He stressed that the people remain committed to exercising their constitutional right to make any major national decision in the interest of the country. “This is not about ‘ma’ and ‘pa cuss’; the people have the authority to boot out any elected official at the appropriate time.”
Dr. Tipoteh also pointed out that despite many lawmakers in the 53rd Legislature being voted out of power, their defeat in the elections does not necessarily indicate that they failed to meet the expectations of the people. Instead, it may be because their positive contributions did not resonate well with the citizens.
He further emphasized that peace is the presence of justice, not merely the absence of war.
“If peace is the absence of war, then two days ago, we would not have witnessed Liberian women mediating in the conflict between the government of Liberia [Liberia National Police] and supporters of the Congress for Democratic Change. What I saw was a woman who was naked and tear-gassed; that was violence,” Dr. Tipoteh stated.
However, he indicated that despite such sad moments and in the midst of longstanding, widespread, and abject poverty, the people of Liberia prefer peace over war.
Dr. Tipoteh urged all citizens to engage in dialogue with the national government if they have pressing concerns while calling on the government to create a platform to hear and address those concerns in the interest of the citizens and the nation.
The 21st Anniversary of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement was held under the theme “Reconciling and Uniting for Sustainable Peace in Liberia.”
Discussion about this post