The Liberian society woke up on April 12, 1980, unaware that the wicked, old, ugly, and destructive giant poised to erode its value system had just begun its work.
To Liberia’s utmost surprise, an illiterate, tribalistic enlisted army man (Noko), with no experience whatsoever, undemocratically seized control of the nation’s governance system. Calling themselves the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), they paraded around Liberia as its redeemers.
Fast forward, these disgruntled, trigger-happy young men saw this newfound creation as an opportunity to enrich themselves. Ignorantly, they believed that after feasting on the loot of the previous government officials and experiencing the allure of African power, they could manipulate the organic laws of the Republic of Liberia—the Constitution.
During this so-called constitutional manipulation, the age requirements for public office, which previously reflected maturity, were adjusted. Under the leadership of the late Prof. Amos Claudius Sawyer and other learned individuals, the military junta pushed for changes that lowered the age requirements for representatives to 25 years and senators or the presidency to 35 years.
In Liberia’s context, these age brackets were impractical. Unlike in the Western world, where individuals at these ages are often highly experienced and educated, many 25- and 35-year-olds in Liberia are still attending school—perhaps high school or struggling through university courses. Research has shown that since Liberia returned to modern civility, 80 to 90 percent of those elected to the Liberian Parliament have either been struggling to pay tuition fees at local universities or are still attempting to enroll in higher education.
More troublingly, many of these representatives live in rented zinc shacks or family-owned properties with nothing substantial to their names. These are not the conditions expected of accomplished individuals poised to represent their communities.
It seems that Dr. Amos Sawyer and his contemporaries assumed that young people in Liberia would have similar preparation and maturity as their counterparts in the Western world, where individuals in these age brackets often have significant accomplishments to their credit. However, the reality in Liberia has proven otherwise.
As a result of these ill-advised changes to our political system, the Liberian Parliament today is rife with the mediocrity and self-interest we witness in their deliberations. While it is true that parliaments worldwide occasionally see heated debates, chair-throwing, and even fistfights, the Liberian Parliament’s shortcomings go beyond these. Its members often display a blatant disregard for the electorate’s interests, focusing instead on personal gain.
Statistics reveal that legislators are more concerned with securing benefits to settle personal debts and obligations—whether to banks, businesses, or individuals—than addressing the nation’s pressing needs.
In retrospect, during the era of the Americo-Liberians (“Congo”), there was at least a semblance of decorum. The rule of law was respected, and their misgivings were not as publicly evident as they are today. Although the population was smaller, parliamentarians’ primary concern seemed to be the nation. I stand to be corrected, but their priorities appeared to align more closely with national interests than what we see today.
In the current Liberian Parliament, however, we frequently witness open abuse, threats, and an alarming lack of civility. Recent incidents of threats and hostile remarks within parliamentary sessions are clear evidence of the dysfunction in the first branch of government.
Research indicates that this erosion of decorum has caused voters to lose faith in political activities. Why do individuals, ostensibly in their right minds, fail to resolve policy differences amicably and instead exacerbate the plight of the people?
Why are unscrupulous individuals so callous as to destroy national assets, such as the burning of the rotunda—the symbolic heart of governance?
Observers argue that it is not too late to correct the wrongs that have left Liberia in this regressive state. Politicians must set aside their egos and work toward restoring peace and order across the nation. Since Liberia’s return to normalcy from its senseless, brutal conflict, the wounds between victims and victors have not yet healed. It is time to rewrite this narrative and prioritize national progress over personal gain.
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