Liberian Literary Magazine January Issue 0115
destroys potential fulfillments of its victims. There is nothing good that comes out of this less-busy practice. We see how it affects families every day and hampers societal growth. Liberia has a youthful population that needs serious human development. More than 65 % of our population consists of young people who are yet to find a marketable career. Almost everyone, including our political leaders, is complacent about the current status of young Liberians. The determination of any legitimate government in this country falls solely on the shoulders of young people. If we are the ones to decide who becomes President, Representatives, or Senators, then why must we be treated in such a cruel manner? When I walk through the principle streets of Monrovia, I pity the condition of my peers as they jostle and hustle to survive daily. Some of them are already hopeless, while others are still yearning to reap a decent living. Instead of young Liberians eagerly standing on long queues to receive educational materials, starter-kits, scholarships, and employment opportunities, they are busy fighting among themselves to obtain betting tickets from WINNERS, DOXX, BLOOMING, PRIMIER, and other gambling enterprises. This trend must stop now! The best alternative is to invest more in technical and vocational training. In 2014, an official of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in person of Henry Coleman spoke to Journalists from VOA and said“ The government is excited about the presence of gambling institutions in Liberia because they are helping to promote the Poverty Reduction Strategy.” It is really disappointing to hear such a ridiculous assertion from someone whose mandate is to enhance youth development. In what way does gambling substantively contribute to poverty reduction? What is the transformational effect of this absurd lifestyle? What concrete impact does it have on our Liberia today especially when most youngsters are becoming wayward and forgetting to give much attention to useful ventures? I thought the Ministry of Youth and Sports is under statutory obligation to promote youth development through empowerment opportunities such as vocational / academic education, career expansion, massive employment, scholarship, microloan, small & medium enterprises, capacity building, etc. Sadly, this regime has decided to prioritize gambling over rewarding undertakings that could secure a prosperous future for generations yet unborn. In addendum, WINNERS Incorporated Gambling Enterprise through its Marketing Manager, Randall Kaybee made a staggering disclosure in January 2014 by saying more than 7,000 Liberians bet every week at their locations around the country. This figure in my mind was even underestimated by Kaybee. Liberia has never had gambling entities like now since 1847. The proliferation of gambling activities under Madam Sirleaf is alarming and its effects are scaring. Besides
WINNERS Incorporated, there are other gambling institutions such as DOXX, PREMIER, LOTTO, BLOOMING, CASIONOS, etc. These betting operations are doing more harm to Liberia and if our leaders remain insensitive to this reality, our nation would become a host to professional gamblers ten( 10) years from now!! The best option to reduce poverty in Liberia is not gambling. The best preference is to create legitimate opportunities through education, empowerment, and employment. Madam Sirleaf and others who are national stakeholders today were never subjected to gambling by leaders of yesterday. In fact, the resources of Liberia were used to even send most of them abroad to obtain foreign education. Why must they continue to mistreat this young generation especially at a time of globalization and modernization. The Liberianization of our economy will remain a daydream until young citizens are fully equipped in basic skills to respond to future challenges. What is this government doing to ensure sustainable empowerment program for over 102,193 excombatants who hastily underwent the DDRR process? The best solution to reduce post-conflict trauma is to build their capacity vocationally. Liberia needs technicians and technocrats who can easily use their minds and tools to enhance reconstruction. Malcolm X said“ Education is the passport to the future”. The great United States was built by young technocrats, and not gamblers, prostitutes, or drugs addicts. As such, the Liberian government must do all it can to empower young men and women who can reflect an image of greatness. Today, everyone is anxious to visit Europe and America simply because citizens of these continents put their thoughts to work. The Industrial Revolution is a unique strategy to emulate as an underdeveloped country. There is no social, economic, or political transformation without mental change. Most youngsters in this country are thirsty for mental change. It is time to construct more polytechnics, youth centers, district / public libraries, etc. If two young men( The Wrights Brothers) had not put their ideas to work at a bicycle shop, there would have been no airplane. These two great inventors are memorialized today simply because they had the opportunity to learn how to fix and repair bicycles. This is the kind of opportunity young people of this country need. We don’ t need betting tickets and drugs. We need leaders who will teach us how to fish by creating an enabling environment. Drugs dependency is increasing every minute. Young men and women are experimenting with harmful substances as a result of unavailable opportunities. Liberia is now a major commercial site for drugs transaction. Nothing tangible is being done to prevent drugs trafficking. Young women are forced to sell their pride and self-respect just to survive. The rate
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