TLC Africa 2008

As the economic upheaval in the world approaches a boiling point, the People of the Republic of Liberia must take Emergency Action right now to prevent the possible economic implosion of Liberia.

Since the inauguration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, she and her administration have worked tirelessly to restore some basic services to the Liberian People, obtain debt relief and reclaim our international stature. The President and her administration deserve a "thank you" for their efforts.

Our President indicated in her latest State of the Nation Address in early April 2008 that Liberia faces more daunting challenges than she and her administration can resolve alone. I take note that some opposition and civil society leaders are doing due diligence in a democratic fashion by pointing out to the administration where improvements could be implemented.

It appears, however, that while the President and her administration are doing their level best and the opposition is pointing out frailties that require correction, what is happening in Liberia is not enough to resolve the enormous challenges that face our country today. The following conditions are pertinent to the foregoing discussion:

Global food shortages pose a serious danger to Liberia's fragile peace and stability.
Increase in the price of oil on the world market from $47.00 per barrel in 2006 to almost $120.00 per barrel in 2008 poses serious challenges to Liberians earning about $1.00 a day.
The continuing 85% unemployment rate in the country is a vexing problem.
Some of our brothers and sisters are still lingering in refugee camps and some are still internally displaced.
Armed robbery has quadrupled in the past two years plus the formation of vigilante groups may combine to unravel Liberia's fragile peace and stability.

Given these exigencies and the potential dangers that world events and local conditions may engender, Liberians ourselves must take emergency action to forestall the gathering storm that could destroy all the efforts of rebuilding our lives and our beloved Republic. The normal processes of international organizations and Liberia's partners could arrive too late given the lead time needed by them before ordinary Liberians can realize the benefits of their actions.

Accordingly, it is proposed that Liberians hold an EMERGENCY STRATEGIC SUMMIT in Liberia within the next 30 to 60 days to draw up strategies to immediately address the urgent problems identified above. In addition, some of the possible outcomes of the emergency strategic summit could include the following:

Mobilizing manpower of 100,000 to 200,000 to grow food in Liberia beginning within the next 90 days.
Creating a Strategic Petroleum Reserve that could supply our needs for at least 2 years before oil prices reach $200.00 per barrel.
Beginning a massive human labor intensive rebuilding of houses/schools/clinics/roads throughout Liberia with a focus on putting all ex-combatants and other unemployed Liberians to work.

The government and the opposition parties cannot resolve these challenges alone, this undertaking requires the action and participation of All Liberians especially ordinary Liberians both at home and abroad including, but not limited to, Liberian students, businesses owners, civil society, the youth, our elders, the unemployed, market women, clergy among many others.

All Liberians must act right now because the politicians alone cannot resolve these emergency problems, but We the People must come together to resolve our own problems so that in the end, we the Liberians can say that at long last we took actions on our own. Liberians will be proud of ourselves and the international community will be astonished that an African Country finally pulled its act together and are worth emulating worldwide. May God Continue to Bless Liberia.

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