Liberian Literary Magazine Promoting Liberian literature , Arts and Culture of teenage pregnancy , commercial sex , and alcohol consumption in all 15 political subdivisions is disturbing ! The consistent don ’ t care posture of Madam Sirleaf ’ s administration to address youth unemployment is unacceptable . It was another big mockery from the President when she promised to provide 20,000 jobs annually for young people . The living condition of Liberian youth continues to move in a counter-clockwise direction even though this regime has received the highest international support since 1822 . Why are we not harvesting substantial fruits from the over 16.9 billion foreign direct investments made so far ? The impact of these investments is far from reaching the bottom of the economic ladder simply because few ill-transparent and unpatriotic oppressors have decided to hold our destiny hostage . They have no plan to upgrade our educational system because their children and grandchildren are attending reputable foreign institutions . The reversal of the status quo or business as usual is critical to promoting a harmonious society and preserving public trust . As a 21st century generation , we must begin to muster the courage to demand what rightfully belongs to us if insensitive leaders continue to ignore our concerns . We must be conscious enough to recognize that gambling is a smart strategy from members of the old order to distract our determination and subdue us . They siphon our resources to support their family abroad , while majority of us live far below the benchmark of poverty . Madam Sirleaf has won over 15 International awards and 8 honorary doctorate degrees from reputed world universities , but Liberia remains the second poorest country on earth . 83.8 % of Liberians most of whom are youth lives below international poverty line of $ 1.25USD . What significance do these awards have when vast majority of those you lead do not have access to quality education , food security , better health care , pipe-borne water , proper sanitation , and employment ? The President along with her associates has not been able to improve our living condition even after almost 12 years of democratic rule . I hope our President , Legislators , and all public trustees will begin to walk in the footprints of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , a shoeshine boy who took 20 million Brazilians out of poverty when he became President in 2002 . Today Brazil is the world ’ s seventh wealthiest economy with a Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) of US $ 2.253 trillion . Though this shoeshine boy did not attend Harvard University , but he was able to stamp out corruption , fight poverty , invest in youth empowerment , and revolutionize his country ’ s economy . As a means of mitigating unparallel economic and social vacuum . He trained young Brazilian men and women in variety of vocations to elevate themselves from self-pity and gloominess . Today , Brazilians have taken charge of their economic and political destiny simply because a true statesman was able to make appropriate reforms . The legacy of a global hero like Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will always remain a fresh memory on the minds of all Brazilians . When will our President and Lawmakers resurrect just 3.5 million Liberians from poverty ? There will be change if policymakers begin to reflect the image of this world icon by instituting stern measures against societal ills . We deserve a better livelihood in our generation ! As a young Liberian patriot , I have a solemn duty to always speak truth to the power that be .
However , it is also my responsibility to provide the way forward to bring an end to our people ’ s suffering . In order to help address some of our burning concerns , it is important that this government under the stewardship of President Sirleaf engenders the following :
1 . Construct at least two modern Polytechnics in each of our 15 counties .
2 . Build modern youth centers and libraries in each of our 73 districts .
3 . Establish a functional community college in every county and increase budgetary support in order to enhance quality education . Existing colleges lack adequate support !
4 . Increase budgetary support to primary and secondary education and enforce effective school monitoring .
5 . Expand local markets and hugely invest in the agriculture , energy , and industry sectors .
6 . Create genuine public frameworks / structures to promote youth development , empowerment , and employment opportunities .
With these few recommendations , Liberians especially young citizens can once more experience a new beginning and abandon ill-fated ventures that are currently destroying their lives . Liberia will be a better place when some of these reforms are prioritized . The motherland will never get better except everyone can afford to put food on his / her table and have access to equal opportunities .
Martin N . K . Kollie Is a student activist
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