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Government of Liberia Needs to Investigate the Nekoteck STEM Scholarship

 

Government of Liberia Needs to Investigate the Nekoteck STEM Scholarship

The Government of the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a Stem Scholarship for Liberian students wishing to undertake master degrees studies in the United States of America and Canada. STEM stands for Science, Tehcnology, Engineering and Mathematics. This means that for any Liberian student to qualify for such master program, he/she must have obtained a Bachelor degree in the natural Sciences. According to the Foreign Ministry, “the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are handling the  processes for this scholarship and the scholarship has been negotiated by a third party named NEKOTECH under a loan scheme” (MFA Press Briefing, 2024). The Liberian Constitution indicates that if any entity in the government would like to contract or secure a loan for Liberia, such loan must first be ratified by the Liberian National Legislature. What are the terms and conditions for the loan to fund this scholarship? Has the National Legislature ratified the loan? The President of the Republic of Liberia officially launched the scholarship program. After this, debates abound in public that the scholarship program is a “scam.” Was the President made to launch a “Scammed scholarship program”? God forbid. The President launched the scholarship program out of love for building the capacities of Liberia’s future generations. It is therefore my hope that the Scholarship program is not a “scam” as is being debated.

From my experience, the Foreign Ministry does not need a third party company to find scholarships for Liberian students wishing to write their master degrees in the Stem or any other areas. The Foreign Ministry gets scholarships from several countries around the world. For instance, the governments of Israel, India, China, Australia, Pakistan, Austria, Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Italy, the United States, Ghana, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, and several other countries have been offering scholarships to Liberia through the Foreign  Ministry. Simply put, most if not all governments in the world have given Liberian scholarships. So, why should the Foreign Ministry get third parties like NEKOTECH involved to front for government scholarship program that is being considered a “scam”? Traditionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gets scholarships for technical, undergraduate, master, and even doctoral degrees in some instances. All that is required is that the Foreign Ministry needs to express Liberia’s interest in the areas of preference (s) that the country wants its citizens to gain an education. Interestingly also, this is a “loan scheme” that must be ratified by the National Legislature. Has the National Legislature ratified the Loan of about $26Million US?

AS I SEE IT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can attract thousands of undergraduate, graduated/post-graduate or tertiary scholarships. The Ministry simply needs to express its interest and lobby with friendly governments. So, why should Liberia vouch for a loan scheme for 250 Liberians to study abroad for master’s degrees in the STEM area? The government does not need loan (s) and third parties to negotiate scholarships with other governments. In time past, some governments gave about five hundred scholarships annually to graduates of high schools to study from bachelor’s to doctoral degree levels. Thousands of scholarships have come through the Foreign Ministry. For example, this writer competed for and won the Australian Awards Scholarship. This was how he studied for his second master’s degree (master’s in public policy-MPP) at the Australian National University where he specialised in Development Policy or Development Economics with distinction in 2014. Why going to school, he was paid $3,000 Australian Dollars monthly ($1,500.00 biweekly) by the Australian Government. This was not a “loan scheme.” After graduation, you were required to return home and work for your county for at least 3 years before migrating back to Australia if you wanted to. Today, Liberia does not qualify for the Australia Awards Scholarship Program. Why? Because the Government through the Foreign Ministry has not requested the Australian Government to renew the program. Why can’t they? The Ministry simply needs to write a justification why Liberians need to benefit from such program again. I am certain that the many graduates from Australian Universities could help the Ministry/Government to prepare the documentation for this process based on request from the Government.

AS I SEE IT, the Government of the Republic must investigate news about the scholarship program being a “scam” so that it can quickly inform the public on the truth because students have already applied and are applying. Many more will apply because they believe in the Government. Immediate steps should/must be taken to arrest this globally embarrassing situation. Adequate steps must also be taken to tell Liberians the truth. The Government needs to urgently address this embarrassment. Therefore, the Government needs to thoroughly investigate the veracity about this scholarship program to get the facts and share with the public as soon as possible. This could help to restore and increase confidence in all scholarship processes by the Government. The Government and people of Liberia are not prepared to belief this information about a “fake scholarship” deal led by the Government. It is hoped that the Government will do the right thing.

About the Author: Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr. holds a PhD from the Department of Government and European Studies, the New University, Slovenia where he researched International Development and Diplomacy (with Security Aspects). His dissertation topic was ‘Reconceptualizing Africa’s Regional Integration for Peace and Sustainable Development.’ He earned a Master of Public Policy (MPP) specialized in Development Policy or Development Economics with Distinction from the Crawford School of Economics and Government (now the Crawford School of Public Policy), Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. He also obtained a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations (Highest Distinction) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) Magna Cum Laude in Political Science from the University of Liberia where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the IBB Graduate School of International Studies. He also holds a Diploma in Leading Economic Growth from the Kennedy Graduate School, Harvard University, USA; and he holds other diplomas and certificates in professional fields from Italy, UK, Pakistan, China and Israel, Prof. Kaydor is equally an Adjunct Professor of Development Studies at the AME University Graduate School. Dr. Kaydor is an evidence-based researcher, a blogger, a columnist, and a published author. One can reach him via (kaydorth@ul.edu.lr or thkaydor@gmail.com).

 

 

 

 

A Call on the Government to Implement Article 10 of the Liberian Constitution

In Chapter II: General Principles of National Policy, the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia states in Article 10 that “the Republic shall ensure the publication and dissemination of this Constitution throughout the Republic and the teaching of its principles and provisions in all institutions of learning in Liberia”. Since its passage, the Government of the Republic of Liberia has failed to fulfil and fully implement this part of the Organic Law of the Land. Therefore, several Liberians including scholars or researchers do not seem to understand what the Constitution says or entails. Children that were born when the 1986 Constitution was formulated and ratified by the people through a referendum are now about 38 years old. Some people blame the war for this, but this writer disagrees because the war ended in 2003 with the election of Africa’s first woman Head of State and Government, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005.

The Liberian Constitution has not been fully disseminated by the Government, AS I see it. Those who possess printed or online copies of this Constitution either purchased it for themselves or got it through other means. The Constitution should be made a compulsory subject or course of study by the Liberian Government. This might help to remedy the knowledge or constitutional awareness gap. H.E Joseph Nyuma Boakia, President of the Republic of Liberia indicated that “there will be no business as usual” (Boakai, 2024). This agrees that there should be no bad business as usual. One old business that should not be a usual thing is the Government’s failure to fully implement this Constitutional Article or National Policy-dissemination and teaching of the Constitution of the Republic in all institutions of learning. This Constitutional clause might be simple, but it is very essential for state building of the Nation-State and the bridge of existing knowledge gap.  

Constitutional law is a body of law which defines the role, powers, and structure of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the parliament or legislature, and the judiciary. It prescribes the basic rights of citizens and, in federal countries such as the United States, Nigeria and Canada, the relationship between the central government and state, provincial, or territorial governments. Not all nation-states have codified constitutions, though all such states have a ‘jus commune’, or law of the land, that may consist of a variety of imperative and consensual rules. These may include customary law, conventions, statutory law, judge-made law, or international rules, or norms, etc. Constitutional law deals with the fundamental principles by which the government exercises its authority. In some instances, these principles grant specific powers to the government, such as the power to impose taxes and spend for the welfare of the population. Other times, constitutional principles act to place limits on what the government can do, such as prohibiting the arrest of an individual or a group without sufficient cause, etc.

In most nations, such as the Liberia, United States, India, Nigeria, Singapore, etc., constitutional law is based on the text of a document ratified at the time the nation came into being. Other constitutions, notably that of the United Kingdom, rely heavily on uncodified rules, as several legislative statutes and constitutional conventions, etc. The 1847 Constitution was suspended by the Military Junta on April 12, 1980, when the Military overthrew the Government then led by former President William R. Tolbert, Jr. The Military later transformed itself into a civilian government and enacted the 1986 Constitution of the Republic.

As I SEE IT, there is a need for the Liberian National Legislature to allocate resources in the National Budget to print and disseminate the Liberian Constitution. Some Non-Governmental Organizations in Liberia could and should take an advantage of this national gap to raise funds for the education of Liberians on their Constitution. The National Legislature and the President as Head of State need to ensure that this Constitution is taught in all institutions of learning in the Republic of Liberia. This is paramount because so many literate Liberians who should be able to understand and interpret the Liberian Constitution are simply unable to do so. Some Leaders in Liberia do not also understand the Constitution. Such people are found in all branches of the Government, the academic community and anywhere else in the Country. This is a national problem and catastrophe that must be urgently addressed. At the primary and secondary school level, the Ministry of Education needs to introduce and enforce teaching of the Liberian Constitution. As part of this subject, Liberian Civics could be lumped in and taught. At higher education and technical schools’ levels, there should be a national enforcement of the compulsory teaching of the Constitution of Liberia. AS I SEE IT, the Liberian Government needs to take an Affirmation Action to ensure that Article 10 of the Liberian Constitution is fully implemented and enforced.

About the Author: Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr. holds a PhD from the Department of Government and European Studies, the New University, Slovenia where he researched International Development and Diplomacy (with Security Aspects). His dissertation topic was ‘Reconceptualizing Africa’s Regional Integration for Peace and Sustainable Development.’ He earned a Master of Public Policy (MPP) specialized in Development Policy or Development Economics with Distinction from the Crawford School of Economics and Government (now the Crawford School of Public Policy), Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. He also obtained a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations (Highest Distinction) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) Magna Cum Laude in Political Science from the University of Liberia where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the IBB Graduate School of International Studies. He also holds a Diploma in Leading Economic Growth from the Kennedy Graduate School, Harvard University, USA; and he holds other diplomas and certificates in professional fields from Italy, UK, Pakistan, China and Israel, Prof. Kaydor is equally an Adjunct Professor of Development Studies at the AME University Graduate School. Dr. Kaydor is an evidence-based researcher, a blogger, a columnist, and a published author. One can reach him via (kaydorth@ul.edu.lr or thkaydor@gmail.com).

 

 

The Need to Conduct Chieftaincy Elections in Liberia

 

The Need to Conduct Chieftaincy Elections in Liberia

The 1986 Liberian Constitution was adopted on 6 January 1986, replacing the 1847 Constitution that had been suspended in 1980. The 1986 Constitution guarantees the rights of all Liberians, regardless of their background, tribe and religion and establishes a democratic society. 

The constitution protects fundamental rights such as the right to liberty, life, and property, as well as the right to equal protection under the law. It also prohibits slavery and forced labour. The constitution guarantees equality for all people, regardless of race, gender, origin, political party, or creed. It aims to strengthen national unity and integration and encourages citizens to participate in government (see Article 1). The president is the Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The Constitution provides for periodic elections so that the people of Liberia can freely elect their leaders. It is organized into chapters, including the structure of the state, fundamental rights, the Legislature, the Executive, the Judiciary, etc. Article 56 of the Constitution indicates that:

a.       “All cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant cabinet ministers, ambassadors, ministers and consuls, superintendents of counties and other government officials, both military and civilian, appointed by the President pursuant to this Constitution shall hold their offices at the pleasure of the President.

b.      There shall be elections of Paramount, Clan, and Town Chiefs by the registered voters in their respective localities, to serve for a term of six years. They may be re-elected and may be removed only by the President for proved misconduct. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for their qualifications as may be required.”

Members of the House of Representatives were reminded by a communication from Nimba County District # 3 Representative, Nehker Gaye. Rep. Gaye who claimed that “the prolonged delay in conducting such elections violated Article 56 B of the 1986 constitution”. According to him and this writer agrees that “the law provides that there shall be elections of Paramount, Clan, and Town Chiefs by the registered voters in their respective localities, to serve for a term of six years, and that they may be re-elected and may be removed only by the President for proved misconduct”.  This action was in the right direction and the National Legislature must take it seriously through an affirmative action. It has been 21 years since the end of Liberia’s Civil War.

To the best of my recollection, Liberian has not held any chieftaincy elections since the end of the Civil War in 2003 that witnessed the arrival of ECOMIL which later became UNMIL, the largest UN Peace keeping troops globally then. The fulfilment of the Constitution assures democratic governance. It guarantees peace, security, and national unity. The basic unit of any society is the family. Families in Liberia have their roots from villages, quarters, towns, clans, chieftaincies, districts, and counties. The national traditional structures are organized in ways that accommodate for Quarter Chiefs, Town Chiefs, Clan Chiefs, and Paramount Chiefs. Once these traditional structures are effectively organised; they will help support the county and national government to preside over the state substructures and regulate the Republic in a decentralised and acceptable manner.

AS I SEE IT, Liberia’s acceptable cultural or traditional values could gain prominence and be upheld. I can recall that back in 2004/2005 we formed part of a research team sponsored by UNDP through a national NGO called RECEIVED that undertook a research project on the traditional forms of peacebuilding in Liberia. That research found out that the traditional structures of the state, which help to build and keep peace locally and nationally, have broken down. That research also found that intermarriage can promote peace and curb national, tribal cultural and religious tensions and existential conflicts in Liberia. Without doubt, all chiefs around the country are acting. They are not elected in line with Article 56B of the Constitution.

AS I SEE IT, after electing a new national government in 2023; this is another opportunity for the government to restore an elected national structure in line with the Constitution of the Republic. Constituting this community-based leadership structure will not only help the leadership and governance of local communities, but also, support the national government to lead legitimately. The National Legislature needs to ensure that these local elections are held across the country to help resolve the crisis of legitimacy. Liberia needs elected chiefs in the villages, towns, clans, chiefdoms, districts, counties, and country at large. By so doing, Liberia would have a constitutionally recognised national and local constitutional authority. The National Government with its authority will not be every where but these locally elected traditional authorities will be there to administer and lead the local communities. The National Legislature must ensure that the National Elections Commission appear before its relevant budget committees to present and discuss the budget for these elections and put this in the National Budget for the Executive to sign. The Liberian Immigration Service (LIS) is present at 48 of the 178 entry points around Liberia. Undoubtedly, these local authorities have also been keeping the borders and entry points intact. They help to keep law and order as well as build or and make peace.

 

About the Author: Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr. holds a PhD from the Department of Government and European Studies, the New University, Slovenia where he researched International Development and Diplomacy (with Security Aspects). His dissertation topic was ‘Reconceptualizing Africa’s Regional Integration for Peace and Sustainable Development.’ He earned a Master of Public Policy (MPP) specialized in Development Policy or Development Economics with Distinction from the Crawford School of Economics and Government (now the Crawford School of Public Policy), Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. He also obtained a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations (Highest Distinction) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) Magna Cum Laude in Political Science from the University of Liberia where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the IBB Graduate School of International Studies. He also holds a Diploma in Leading Economic Growth from the Kennedy Graduate School, Harvard University, USA; and he holds other diplomas and certificates in professional fields from Italy, UK, Pakistan, China and Israel, Prof. Kaydor is equally an Adjunct Professor of Development Studies at the AME University Graduate School. Dr. Kaydor is an evidence-based researcher, a blogger, a columnist, and a published author. He can be reached via (kaydorth@ul.edu.lr).

 

 

We Welcome the Doctoral Programs at the University of Liberia

                                                                         

We Welcome the Doctoral Programs at the University of Liberia

In 1851, the Republic of Liberia founded the Liberia College of Social Sciences and Humanities now renamed the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanity in honor of the late Dr. Amos C. Sawyer, former Dean of the College. I graduated from the Liberia College of Social Sciences and Humanities from the Political Science Department as the dux for the entire College with Magna Cum Laude in Political Science. I had the second Highest average at the University in the Class of 2001/2002 which graduated on 28^th May 2003. My emphasis was in Comparative Government and Politics. My Minor was in History (European History) and my Electives in Mass Communication (Print media). All my studies were done within the Liberia College. Those days all colleges at the University graduated together on a Wednesday (we will discuss why Wednesdays later time). Liberia College became operational in 1862 (https://ul.edu.lr/new/). Later, about 100 years after the declaration of the College in 1951, the University of Liberia was created through an Act of the Legislature. The Republic of Liberia now had its first University. No other existed then.

“In 1862, the first President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E Joseph Jerkins Roberts, was inaugurated as the first President of Liberia College” (https://ul.edu.lr/new/history/). In fact former President William R. Tolbert graduated from Liberia College as the dux for the College like me. Interestingly, with two professors, “Rev. Alexander Cromwell and Professor Dr. Edward Wilmot Blyden, President Roberts opened the doors of Liberia College in February 1863 to 7 students (Ibid.). My former Dean, Prof. Joseph Barlefay, orally told us then that the College was operated somewhere on Clay Street. I am still looking for a written History on this this and the entire University (Dean Barlayfaye was one of the signatories to the 1986 Liberia Constitution representing Bong County). Documenting the History of the University of Liberia could be a worthy research project sponsored by the School. Today, the University of Liberia is operated on four campuses: the first at the Capitol Hill, the Second at the Medical College around the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, the third at Fendall, and the last in Sinje, Grand Cape mount County.

When the University was chartered by the National Government, it only offered undergraduate degrees. This meant that students wanting to obtain a Master Degree in any of the academic disciplines offered at the University and elsewhere if any then needed to travel out of Liberia to get a masters degree. Master degrees could not be obtained in Liberia then (we will later discuss the history of Masters degrees being offered in Liberia). Notably, a 76-year Oldman was the oldest graduate from the MBA/MPA program in academic year 2020/2021at the graduate School when I served as an Academic Coordinator at then. He confided in me that he was the first to obtain a Master degree in his family. President William V.S Tubman opened the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center (JFK) as the Teaching Hospital of the University of Liberia. Today, the Political System in Liberia runs or operate the JFK Memorial Hospital as an entity on its own. The University does not control JFK as its teaching hospital. Imagine that! Students from the Medical School and the School of Pharmacy as well as their professors are still required to practice at this teaching Hospital owned by the University. JFK is also Liberia’s primary referral Medical Institution in the Country. We will discuss this symbiotic relationship between the UL and JFK later time.

Fast forward, graduate studies began with a Diploma in Regional Science and Planning, now the Graduate School in Regional Science and Planning. Later H.E Samuel Kanyon Doe, former President of the Republic of Liberia, negotiated with his Colleague and counterpart, H.E Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to assist him open a master’s degree Program in Political Science at the University. Former President Doe had graduated from Liberia College’s Political Science Department as dux also and needed his Master’s degree in Political Science. This was how The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Graduate School of International Studies was created in the late 1980s. Unfortunately, Samuel Doe  did not obtain the Master of Arts degree in International Relations when the Civil War broke out and he got killed. One of his classmates, the late Prof. Alhaji G.V Kromah and I graduated as classmates on 29th April 2009. I was the dux for the entire University by then, and the President of IBB. Professor Kromah taught International Law at the School prior to his demise.

I graduated with Highest Distinction. The University would have a single Touch Brearer usually from the undergraduate school those days because the University was originally an undergraduate University. I was denied the touch because of such regime in 2009. Presently, there are different graduation days for colleges and Graduate and Professional programs like law, medical and School of Pharmacy. In fact the University Charter has not been revised since 1951. The very Charter I had and used as Chairman of the ever potent Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) from 2001 to 2002 remains the same Charter that is in force today. Imagine that!! The Liberia National Legislature that nominates its representatives to the UL Board according to the Charter has never seen the reason to revise the Charter. The University authorities proposed a new draft, but it was never enacted (passed by the Liberia National Legislature and signed by the President). As I see it, there is a need to revise the Charter to make it contemporary because some of the existing structures and positions created at the University do not align with the University’s 1951 Charter. The Legislature and the University Administration must act to remedy this problem.

On Wednesday, 23^rd October 2024, the University officially launched its Doctoral Programs under the presidency of H.E Joseph Nyuma Boakai. President Boakai graduated from the University of Liberia from the College of Business. The initial Doctoral Programs are in the areas of Public Health and Education Administration/Supervision. The graduate and research program/department presently offers separate  Master Degrees in Public Health and Education Administration/Supervision. It also offers master degrees in International Relations, Regional Science and Planning, Environmental Science and Climate Change, and Peace and Conflict Studies. The University is neither offering master degrees nor Doctoral Programs in all academic disciplines that it offers at the undergraduate levels. I pray and hope it will do some day to allow Liberians the opportunity to study what they prefer in their own country.  Other disciplines that are offering graduate degrees could develop their doctoral programs going forward when they have the qualified and competent faculties as required universally in the context of academic rigors. At the University level, generally Masters should teach Bachelor’s degree programs, Doctoral degrees should teach Master degree students and Drs. Should teach doctoral students. I am aware that in some cases this has not been the case. This must change. We have qualified and competent Liberians in and out of the country. Simply recruit them based on merit and pay them well  on time.

The University like anywhere else in Liberia has got some problems/challenges. Poor Infrastructure is one of the key challenges at the University. Low wages with delayed Salaries is another. Lack of universal access to internet is yet another. Infrequent electricity is the other. The Board of Directors, now chaired by a Senator, with the Administration at the University must take responsibility of these challenges and problems. The transformation of the dilapidated infrastructure at the University needs to occur. There needs to be an upgrade to accommodate the existing undergraduate, graduate, or post graduate programs. Professors’ salaries need to be increased and paid on time. You cannot let professors and staff work without pay for months. Such things invite corruption in some instances. In fact low and delayed salaries lead to Part-time faculties holding full-time jobs and working as part-time lecturers at the University. As this writing goes on, Part-time Teachers have not been paid for last academic year yet. I am highly uncertain that the University will begin the new academic year this month. If this happens in 2024, I will remain grateful to God. The University needs to and must support research and innovation. We fund our personally research initiatives.

The University runs its own budget annually, and  all graduate students and Law School Students pay for their studies ($US150.00 for registration and US$75.00 for a credit hour). Undergraduate school is now tuition free. Former President George Weah without consultation with the Board and Administration made that tuition free policy pronouncement abruptly. We Were there. This Government must refine the policy to its liking. Should public schools’ students attend tuition free higher Education schools without any responsibility to the State? There should be a requirement for National Service for all such students after graduation for instance. Other Liberians are paying their hard earned monies at Private Institutions. The State has the responsibility to empower its key resource for development (the people). Where does the money raised by the University go? Where does the University budget go? As I see it, The University of Liberia needs to be and must be audited. Salaries at University are about US$1.5 million monthly. This means about US $18M is spent on salaries annually. Presently, the University has about US$32m annual budget in the 2024 National Budget. Besides upgrading the archaic infrastructure, we need constant supply of high speed internet with constant supply of electricity. In fact, these are things that students, professors and other researchers could use to produce and advance innovative actions through Research and Innovation. Times have changed. The University must also change with times by promoting, investing in, and adequately supporting research and innovation.

AS I SEE IT, the University of Liberia can, should and must serve as an engine of economic growth for Liberia. Other Higher institutions of learning must also do. I therefore welcome the Doctoral Programs launched on Wednesday, 23^rd October 2024 at the University of Liberia. Let us make the University work in the best interest of the Nation. There are competent, professional, and qualified Liberians in and outside of Liberia that can be meritoriously recruited and paid handsomely to teach at the University of Liberia. Every county or district or town, etc. in Liberia has a student at the University of Liberia. I hope H.E Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia and the Visitor to the University of the University of Liberia who himself is a graduate of the University will appoint the President of the University of Liberia without further delays. One of Africa’s oldest Universities needs a President immediately. Liberia, Africa’s oldest Republic, deserves a Doctoral Program. The launch of the doctoral program is long overdue but welcomed now. Congratulations to the Government of the Republic and University authorities.

About the Author: Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr. holds a PhD from the Department of Government and European Studies, the New University, Republic of Slovenia where he researched International Development and Diplomacy (with Security Aspects). His dissertation topic was ‘Reconceptualizing Africa’s Regional Integration for Peace and Sustainable Development.’ He earned his second master’s degree as a Master of Public Policy (MPP) specialized in Development Policy or Development Economics with Distinction from the Crawford School of Economics and Government (now the Crawford School of Public Policy), Australian National University, Canberra, Australia on 17 December 2014. He obtained his first master’s degree as Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations (Highest Distinction) in 2009 and Bachelor of Arts (BA) Magna Cum Laude in Political Science in 2003 from the University of Liberia where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the IBB Graduate School of International Studies. He also holds a Diploma in Leading Economic Growth from the Kennedy Graduate School, Harvard University, USA; and he holds other diplomas and certificates in professional fields. Prof. Kaydor is equally an Adjunct Professor of Development Studies at the AME University Graduate School. Dr. Kaydor is an evidence-based researcher and a published author. One can reach him via (kaydorth@ul.edu.lr or +231777027180/+231555266613).

 

GoL Must Meet the AU 10% Funding Benchmark for the Ministry of Agriculture

In my doctoral dissertation, I argue and recommend that the African Union “(AU) should focus on agricultural productivity, value addition and provision of safe drinking water to address the extreme hunger, malnutrition, water , hunger, and poverty issues on the continent” (Kaydor, 2024, p.1). The Republic of Liberia, Africa’s first independent Republic, has about 5.2 million citizens (LISGIS, 2023), the country suffers from hunger and malnutrition after 177 years of independence. The Liberia Agriculture Census (2024) was recently conducted using digital technology for the first time. The census covered all Agriculture-related activities such as crop production, livestock rearing, forestry, poultry, and Aqua Culture (LIGIS, 2023). Quality data in the agricultural sector is vital for informing effective public policy making and accelerating efforts toward sustainable development within Liberia.

The agriculture sector is the primary livelihood of about 40 percent of Liberia’s population (World Bank, 2021). It accounts for about 36 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (World Bank, 2022). This sector not only provides income for a large portion of households engaged in rice, cassava, rubber, oil palm, cocoa, sugarcane production among others, but also it is a key to addressing the pressing food security and nutrition challenge in the country where nearly 40% of the population suffers from undernutrition or malnutrition as of 2022 (The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2023). The 50x2030 Initiative as it is named, seeks to close the Agricultural Data Gap and it is a multi-agency partnership amongst the World Bank, FAO, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for data smart agriculture to strengthen national agricultural data systems in fifty countries by year 2030. The program assists countries to produce agricultural survey data necessary to monitor international, regional and or national data (Agenda 2063; CAAD, 2003). The GoL officially launched the 50x2030 Initiative in May 2023 in partnership with FAO, World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) among others.

The current Liberian Government led by H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has Agriculture as one of its national development priorities. The campaign mantra  that brought the government to power, The ARREST Agenda, has an “A” that stands for Agriculture at the beginning. In a country where about 40 percent of the population lives on agriculture, there is no doubt that the government needs to invest in the sector to be able to address the acute unemployment question and spur an inclusive economic growth in the country. Agricultural revolution needs to be taken seriously and quantum investment needs to be done in the sector led by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). However,  the 2024 budget for the Agriculture Sector in Liberia is US$8.83million that is 1.2%. This falls short of the requirement of the African/Union’s requirement as enshrined in the “Maputo Declaration” developed in 2003. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) servs as the framework for action for agricultural transformation across Africa since 2003. As an AU initiative, CAADP supports member states in increasing investment and productivity in the agricultural sector. The aim is to achieve agricultural growth rates of more than 6 per cent as a means of promoting food security and economic development.

The AU commits to Transforming African Agriculture by 2025. This timeline coincides with Liberia’s new budget cycle for 2025. The CAADP is an Agenda 2063 continental initiative that aims to help African countries eliminate hunger and reduce poverty by raising economic growth through agriculture-led development. Through the CAADP, African governments agreed to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture and rural development, and to achieve agricultural growth rates of at least 6% per annum. Underlying these investment commitments are targets for reducing poverty and malnutrition, increasing productivity and farm incomes, and improving the sustainability of agricultural production and use of natural resources. It also supports countries to enhance resilience to climate variability through development of disaster preparedness policies and strategies, early warning response systems and social safety nets.

Some national policymakers have argued that Liberia has several actors in the agricultural sector and that the AU requirement should not only apply to the MoA. Even with such argument, the Agriculture Sector is 1.2% of the original National budget (MFDP, 2024, P.XV). However, the AU requirement is specific. It applies to Agriculture Ministries on the continent. If the government wants to argue that donors are many in this sector, it must allocate at least 10% to the Agriculture Sector in the National Budget. Now that the GoL is about to begin the official formulation of its 2025 National Budget by the National Legislature in November after the submission of the draft at the end of October 2024 by MFPD, it is expected that the Boakai led Government will allocate not less than 10 percent of the national budget to the Ministry of Agriculture specifically as required by the African Union or simply allocate 10% of the budget to Agriculture Sector in general.

President Boakai, though is not an agriculturist, spent most part of his life and career in the agricultural sector. Therefore, It is no surprise that Agriculture became the first letter in his ARREST Agenda. While donors continue to heavily invest in this sector, the  government needs to match such support and harness same with national budgetary allocation. This investment in Agriculture could ensure food sufficiency in Liberia, a country with a suitable climate and soil for agriculture. Donors could scale down their support  at any time, but the Government needs to take full ownership of this sector. The 2024 National Agricultural Development Plan (NADP) developed by the MoA is a welcomed initiative, though it excludes other sectors like sugarcane. According to that Plan, Liberia needs not less than US$717. Million for the Ministry to meet government’s desired target in the agricultural sector over its six years governance period.

AS I SEE IT, the Government of Liberia  must allocate a minimum of 10 Per cent of its national budget to the Ministry of Agriculture and or the Agriculture Sector to meet the African Union requirement. There is no need for excuses as the time is now.

About the Author: Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr. holds a PhD from the Department of Government and European Studies, the New University, Republic of Slovenia where he researched International Development and Diplomacy (with Security Aspects). His dissertation topic was ‘Reconceptualizing Africa’s Regional Integration for Peace and Sustainable Development.’ He earned his second master’s degree as a Master of Public Policy (MPP) specialized in Development Policy or Development Economics with Distinction from the Crawford School of Economics and Government (now the Crawford School of Public Policy), Australian National University, Canberra, Australia on 17 December 2014. He obtained his first master’s degree as Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations (Highest Distinction) in 2009 and Bachelor of Arts (BA) Magna Cum Laude in Political Science in 2003 from the University of Liberia where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the IBB Graduate School of International Studies. He also holds a Diploma in Leading Economic Growth from the Kennedy Graduate School, Harvard University, USA; and he holds other diplomas and certificates in professional fields. Prof. Kaydor is equally an Adjunct Professor of Development Studies at the AME University Graduate School. Dr. Kaydor is an evidence-based researcher and a published author. One can reach him via (kaydorth@ul.edu.lr or +231777027180/+231555266613).

 

AS I SEE IT: by Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr.; PhD.

The Liberian Government Must Fund the Liberian Immigration Service (LIS) Training

The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), formerly the Bureau of Immigration & Naturalization (BIN) was founded in 1855. LIS is charged with the primary responsibility to implement and enforce the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia. The bureau or agency has 2,081 immigration officers. They are officers deployed 48 official border crossings points out of a total of 178 national entry points around the Republic of Liberia. This means that about 130 entry points are left unattended in Liberia.

Besides the Alien and Nationality Law, LIS is also governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, the ECOWAS Protocols on Free Movements of persons, goods and services within the sub-region, international conventions, and laws, among other instruments. The Bureau has the statutory mandate to safeguard and protect the borders and boundaries (air, land, and sea) of Liberia against the illegal entry of aliens into the country. The Bureau also screens and examines travel documents; admits aliens at sea, air, and land borders (ports of entry); grants all aliens resident status and engages in border management and control (https://lis.gov.lr/about, 2024).

As its Vision, LIS envisages to cultivate professionalism, effectiveness, and international outlook in achieving regional and international recognition (Ibid.). Its mission is to contribute to security and socio-economic development of Liberia by facilitating international travel and regulating entry, exit, residency, and citizenship; and to improve border structure, data collection, analysis, and dissemination; using technology, LIS controls immigration intelligence gathering and law enforcement to the benefit of the people of the Republic of Liberia. LIS also institutionalizes international best practices and sets up clear rules in a coherent manner that is applicable and promotes gender balance as required.’ LIS operates its own Training Academy in Lofa county, Liberia (Ibid.).

After the Joseph N. Boakai led government took office in January 2024, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) announced the retirement of 318 LIS Officers in accordance with the employment policy of the Republic. Based on this, LIS announced a new recruitment to replace the officers that will retire. About 9,043 applicants applied to join LIS to replace the would-be retirees. According to LIS boss, “8,109 applicants sat the aptitude test, 6,309 applicants passed and made it to the physical examination, the second layer of the recruitment process. About 2,800 candidates successfully enrolled into the medical test that was the final stage of the recruitment process.

About 1,900 applicants successfully passed the medical exams but “only 500 of this batch of applicants have been selected for the training”. The training will begin on “14th October 2024 but the Government of Liberia has not provided budgetary allocation to LIS for this training” (Zargo, 2024). The agency was requested by the National Government to shift its original 2024 budget to accommodate the cost that had no allocation as the training was unforeseen. Why should the Government not allot money to fund this initiative by finding monies from other sources in the national budget for such expedient and necessary national training? How can the Government leave almost 130 entry points of Liberia unprotected? What is more important than the security of Liberia’s borders? The goal of any state is to protect its National Interest (this means the provision of security for all citizens and aliens and the provision for the wellbeing of such people). How could the Government leave LIS on its own to use her 2024 budget lines for such training that was unbudgeted for other things rather than finding the money from other sources to fund the training?

As I SEE IT, the Government of Liberia must take full responsibility for the LIS training process. It must entirely fund this process. In fact, all the successful candidates from the vetting process must be trained and employed to secure all our entry points. Training only 500 further limits the capacity of LIS. Therefore, the government needs to prioritize this training as a national interest project. Alternatively, LIS Administration should find innovative ways as the agency responsible for such herculean task to train all the 1,900 successful applicants and employ them at the end of the training to be deployed and appropriately secure all of Liberia’s 178 border points.

About the Author: Prof. Tom Kaydor, Jr. holds a PhD from the Department of Government and European Studies, the New University, Republic of Slovenia where he researched International Development and Diplomacy (with Security Aspects). He completed his PhD dissertation and defended it in 2023. His dissertation topic was ‘Reconceptualizing Africa’s Regional Integration for Peace and Sustainable Development.’ He earned his second master’s degree as a Master of Public Policy (MPP) specialized in Development Policy or Development Economics with Distinction from the Crawford School of Economics and Government (now the Crawford School of Public Policy), Australian National University, Canberra, Australia on 17 December 2014. He obtained his first master’s degree as Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations (Highest Distinction) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) Magna Cum Laude in Political Science from the University of Liberia where he currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the IBB Graduate School of International Studies. He also holds a Diploma in Leading Economic Growth from the Kennedy Graduate School, Harvard University, USA; and he holds other diplomas and certificates in professional areas. Prof. Kaydor is equally an Adjunct Professor of Development Studies at the AME University Graduate School. Dr. Kaydor is an evidence-based researcher and a published author. One can reach him via (kaydorth@ul.edu.lr or +231777027180/+231555266613).

 https://thenewdawnliberia.com/the-liberian-government-must-fund-the-liberian-immigration-service-lis-training/