Liberia’s approach to resolving the Ivorian Crisis.

A democratic election was held in Ivory Coast followed by a run-off election quite recently. This election was witnessed by the International community, independent observers and the results weren’t delivered to the public within the constitutional time frame of three days maximum given. It was announced that Alassane Ouattara  was elected through that democratic election that that Mr. Ouattara won by 54.1% of the vote and Mr. Gbagbo 25.9% . 

This result was announced by the Independent Electoral Commission and is considered credible by the United Kingdom, United Nations, White house and the African Union.

Liberia as chair of the Mano River Union (MRU), member of Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and United Nations must take a diplomatic approach in addressing this crisis. Liberia should not single out herself as a nation and take a position or side with a specific party in the crisis, but our decision must be in conformity and expressed through the official statements of the above organizations that we are a part of. Our approach must in no way jeopardize our position or role in the MRU but strengthen us further.

As a neighboring country and Chair of the MRU, we must play the role of a mediator considering the geographical closeness of both countries, how it is going to affect our economy, stability and our citizens residing in that  country.

In a broader light, we must be cognizant of the fact that any instability in the Ivory Coast will affect Liberia. A significant aspect of our economy and well being depends on the Ivoirian’s economy. The South Eastern region especially Maryland relies on the Ivory Coast for almost everything as it is preferable to do import and export with them. Most of our plastic utensils or plastic household items are imported from the Ivory Coast.

If a crisis erupts in that country, it is going to be strenuous on our economy due to the influx of refugees to Liberia. We have over 22,000 of our citizens in that country and we must firstly take into consideration their safety and survival.

We all are anticipating that Mr. Gbagbo would step down and allow democracy to prevail as a result of the pressure from the international community. Mr. Gbagbo has ruled Ivory Coast since 2000 without an election and faced a coup attempt in 2002 which started the long-running civil war.

The question is  “what if” he doesn’t step down? Liberia is still recovering from war so she must calculate well her cost and risk and can only do so if she appreciates or understands the problem.

The president has warned ex-Liberian warlords to stay out of the Ivoirian crisis.

It is my opinion that Liberia remains neutral as an individual state in her approach to resolving the crisis between both parties. We must consider using strategies such as background channeling and holding caucus meetings with the parties involved while trying to promote and allow democracy to prevail.

Get the Girls’ Education National Policy off the shelves and implement it

The Girls’ Education National Policy is a document that seeks the interest of girls and it calls for

v  Meeting Millennium Development Goal 2 by providing free and compulsory primary school and reducing secondary school fees by 50 per cent

v  Recruiting and training more female teachers

v  Providing counseling in schools for girls

v  Ending the impunity of teachers who commit sexual abuse and assault of students

v  Offering life skills at schools to raise the self-esteem so girls can say no to sexual abuse

v  Increasing the availability of small scale scholarships for girls

v  Strengthening health system in schools

v  Opening new parent-teacher associations and girls clubs

v  Promoting adult literacy

This document was launched on April 18, 2006 by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Ministry of Education, UNICEF and other partners, have worked together to achieve the goals of the document.

In an article according to Patrick Slavin, Liberia launches Girls’ Education National Policy with support from UNICEF, the president said that “the education of the girl child in Liberia is critical and an urgent matter. It is actually about human rights and human dignity it is about peace and the development of the country. That’s why achieving universal primary education for all girls and boys is one of the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the member states of the United Nations.”

Implementation of the plan to educate girls was stalled for two years. It was not until 2008 when the Ministry of Education launched nationwide dissemination program. According to the ministry, 6000 (six thousand) copies of the policy were distributed and given to teachers throughout the country.

The ministry also initiated training of trainers teachers across the country to create awareness and to sensitize the schools on the Girls’ Education National Policy.

The first phase of implementation not having started for two years after the launch of the policy, put dormant the implementation sector of this policy, and no real focus has been given to the policy since.

We should begin to ask ourselves, why should important policies that will help in achieving elements of the Poverty Reduction Strategy be used to decorate the shelves of government offices? Why aren’t they implemented so that Liberia can progress from its underdeveloped stage to more advance stages of development?

The policies of providing free and compulsory primary school and reducing secondary schools fees by 50 per cent have been implemented. However, there has been little improvement in the recruitment of female teachers, which is one of the goals of the policy. Recently, the president announced that Teacher’s College of the University of Liberia will offer free tuition; additionally, students will receive monthly stipends. Adult literacy programs have also been implemented by a few schools. The policy has nine focal points but only three of them have been implemented. What is happening to the other six points? Are they not as important as the other three? Why is strengthening the health care system in schools not being implemented? What stalled the implementation of life skills courses at schools? Shouldn’t we want to raise the self-esteem of girls? Why is the policy against sexual abuse not being implemented? Prostitution is on the rise in Liberia. Girls in school are most vulnerable. If life skills are offered, these girls, who are part of our future leaders, may begin to learn to fend off unwanted attention.

It’s been reported that in 2010 in Kenya over 1000 teachers have been sacked for sexual abuse against students within the last couple of years. Liberia can do the same if we fully implement this policy.

The Minister of Education in an interview with UNMIL Radio stated that 300 public schools have been built over the years to help combat illiteracy in Liberia. I commend them for that, but if all focal points of the Girls’ Education National Policy were being implemented in these newly built schools as a start, it’ll show that the process is on and the policy is not just another irrelevant document to the growth of this country.

Private schools, however, have been left out of the process. They play a significant role in the education our people. Why is the ministry not making sure the policy is implemented in these schools? Shouldn’t there be good health care systems and counseling for girls enrolled in private schools too?  The policy should also cover girls of private schools. To conclude, the Girls’ Education National Policy is essential to the development of school-age girls. Mr. Alan Doss, former head of UNMIL, stated that “Quality basic education for the girl child is the essential prerequisite for the conquest of poverty”.

To conclude, the Ministry of Education needs to empower the implementation sector of the policy to actively implement, monitor and evaluate the progress of the girls' policy. The government must do more to improve the quality of education in both private and public schools. The poor performance of students over the past two years in the West African Examination Council and also the entrance exam of the University of Liberia both are evidence of the poor quality of education in Liberia. lets move Mama Liberia to the next level.

Vocational Skill Training, Another Key to Success.

Some came from a family with no relevance in society

And some couldn’t afford to earn higher education but made it through exploring the opportunities of vocational skill trainings

Achievement is all about determination and overtime hard work. Social status can be gained through personal merit and not only as a result of the fortunate circumstances into which somebody is born

Anyone can make it in life; you don’t have to be from a specific background.

Not everyone can afford to finish high school or go to college. It is often said that education is the key to success, and there are different kinds of education.

One can go through the standard schooling system (high school, college) and open doors to success, so can it be for those who go through vocational education (skill training). One can make it to great heights of achievement if anyone is well learned. All that matters is the time you put into practicing what you learned and exploring options in different fields.

The story of this lady is an example of how one can make it through vocational training or vocational education.

Marpu Mulbah is a 34yr old middle aged woman, born in Bomi County to a poor family. Years went by and she was sent to live with her aunt. As she diligently served her aunt doing household chores, and showed her eagerness to learn and fend for herself, she was given a job at her aunt’s salon as after school job. Marpu who is a fast learner, learned the different aspects of cosmetology offer at her aunt’s salon.

Being the only member of her immediate family in the in the city and with the determination that she will rise to be the light in her family, she saved up her salary with a dream to start off on her own after high school.

Upon completing high school and getting married the same month and year, she got a new job at the former first lady’s (Jewel Howard-Taylor) salon. There she improved her skills, served well and saved up more.

Three years later, the girl from nowhere was able to open her own salon and worked overtime to improve it. With dreams of making it better and expanding, she opened a second salon and successfully managed the two for the next couple of years.

Marpu later give one of the salons to her sister to empower her and to have another helping hand support the family back in Bomi. With a happy marriage and a son, Marpu decided to add another component to her salon, clothing business, and the little business venture went well.

Pushing beyond her boundaries, and the urge to expand and grow bigger, she then took a loan from the bank and became an international business woman.

She now has a salon, boutique and a restaurant.

This is a woman who went from grass to grace.

This is a woman who now contributes to government revenue by paying her taxes.

This is a woman who now satisfies consumer needs.

And this is a woman who made it just through skill training, not even a certified one.

With great determination, hard work, and implementation of what she learned, she is a living success story.

You don’t only have to hold a bachelor’s degree to succeed in this life. Vocational skill training centers are now being opened everywhere to help prepare people become self efficient.

You might want to get a degree some day, but don’t have the funds to earn it, you can always do skill training and establish a business of your own. With a full implementation of what you’ve learned and determination to push beyond boundaries, the business can serve as a source of income to see you through college.