Change in Mind and Change in Attitude

Change in Mind and Change in Attitude

Simple Reality of National Development Series 29

Change in Mind and Change in Attitude and the Credibility Issue in Government
October 29, 2009
Introduction

Praises and recognitions are often accorded to people when they have succeeded in changing their “minds and attitudes” or have had a positive turning point in their lives for a new chapter to move on with new challenges in life. In contrast, when an icon championing a national drive for citizens to change their minds and attitudes towards themselves, others and the state is entangled into a negative turning point and enmeshed in the webs of financial mad-practices, corruption charges and misappropriation of state funds, then, the entire essence for “change in mind and attitude” becomes deceptive and lies and with dubious intentions. In series 16 of Simple Reality of National Development, I mentioned that “change in mind and attitude” was a mere lips service initiative skewed to attracting popularity and social essence. World over, “change in mind and attitude” initiatives come through programs and projects with sustainable intentions not dubious ones. My favorite minister has let me down.

A political icon, highly appreciated by the state and its citizens has ruined the trust and confidence of the president, the state and the international community. The president number one public enemy, which is corruption, has a profound relationship with some top public officials. Tax payers have read and heard enough of corruption charges and allegations in this government. Action plans to discourage and thwart financial mad-practices seem to be very feeble, frail and scrawny to succeed with any serious impact.

The Impacts of Corruption on National Development

It is important for government officials to understand that corruption can suffocate economic growth; reduce economic efficiency and development despite the enormous resources in the country. Corruption creates negative national image and loss of much needed revenue. It devalues the quality of human life, robs schools, agricultural sectors, hospital and welfare of the state. It discourages foreign investments leading to decrease in Foreign Direct investment. It exacerbates inequality, desecrates the rule of law and undermines the legitimacy and stability of democratic regimes. It slows down administrative processes thereby making the implementation of government reforms policies ineffective. People engage in corrupt practices in Liberia and go walk way without any deterrent measures and therefore corruption continues to recycle itself at the disadvantage of the state and its citizens. Poverty is getting higher and civil servants are under-remuneration and financial hardship is strike parents in rural Liberia while few citizens embezzle state funds to benefit themselves. The biggest challenge for the UP led government is not to dismiss or compel corrupt government officials to resigns but to institute stringent measures that would go down to history as it is being down in other nations.

How Do We Feel

Tax payers are viewing corruptions issue as something being made permissible in the Liberia society and the hope for deterrent is invisible. The general level of corruption prevalent in states institutions need to be assessed and compare with the corruption perception index in West Africa. Liberia in a transition from war and grappling with economic resuscitation and amelioration of standard is being strangulated by government officials that are trusted with public offices. Liberia economy cannot be reformed with the prevalent level of visible corrupt practices in government.

Legitimization of Corruption

The new horizon for corruption is personal salary increment and board approval, as evident in the salary saga at the Nation Port Authority of Liberia. Liberians are awaiting the justification of such increment. The citizens in West Point, New Kru Town, or other major town in Liberia why should a person of Liberia earn $144,000.00 per annum and 400 gallons of gas when they are living and sleeping in hunger, and darkness. This is unfair and unrealistic to the state and its citizenry. As people of Liberia, we need to rethink our drive for development and progress. I personally feel the good intention of the UP led government for transforming Liberia from the devastation of war; but what is inconceivable is fact that government is profoundly lenient with corrupt officials. Hard precedent must be set to transmit massages of deterrent for the progress of the state. People must understand that their appointments are based on trust, credibility and confidence. These qualities are not trivial and must not be ruined for and reason, especially educated people.

Mohammed Swaray

swaraymas@gmail.com