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| Pero M.K. Kerkula |
Mr. Kerkula made the assertion in his
speech, titled, “Rethinking the
Development of Liberia: The Role of Government and Political Parties”,
delibervered at the 165th Independence Day celebration held July 28,
2012 LUA Event Center, 9560 Skillman
Street, Dallas, Texas, USA.
According to him, constructive
engagement will also ensure stability and national reconciliation thereby
leading to private sector employment, human empowerment, and speedy economic
growth and national development. See full text of Mr. Kerkulah’s speech as
follows:
<<<<>>>>
A SPEECH MARKING
THE 165TH INDEPENDENCE OF LIBERIA DELIVERED BY: PERO M. K. KERKULA AS OBSERVED ON JULY 28, 2012 IN THE CITY OF
DALLAS, STATE OF TEXAS, UNITED STATES
July 28, 2012
THEME
RETHINKING THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIBERIA: THE ROLE OF
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL PARTIES
On
July 26, 1847, Liberia gained her independence. Officially, two days ago,
Liberia marked the 165Th anniversary, and we are today till tonight
celebrating as required of us and by time. We have been able to assemble here
tonight because the bonds that unite us as a nation are stronger than the
political issues that divide us. Each of us has family members, relatives,
friends and good neighbors in Liberia and in different political parties, or
the other religion and ethnic group. But the deepest common interest that we
share and protect with other groups as source of our unity is the – Republic of Liberia.
My
fellow brothers and sisters, let’s also remember that our common interests – in
our nation and people, and specifically in the future of our children surpass
our political differences. Government in particular, political parties and
their leaders have a cause to better protect the Republic from descending into
another round of instability.
Fellow
Liberians, let’s celebrate the tolerance and respect for varied political views
as a means of furthering and strengthening democracy; and our coexistence as a
people of common destiny. By all accounts, the struggle for political
leadership led to the nearly a decade and a half of devastating civil war: 1989
– 2003. The nation-state extensively lost its human capital as well as its
entire fabric that will take several peaceful years to retrain and reconstruct.
Government, political parties and political leaders have got to play an
increasingly patriotic role in returning Liberia to a continued democratic
state by committing themselves to rule and order, encouraging; and assuring
Liberian Diaspora professionals in particular and others of their security to
return home and participate in the rebuilding process.
Being
a proud Liberian Government as well as a political party warrants practical
commitment to the rebuilding process of the shattered nation-state. Political
parties canvass for political leadership and are expected to do so by no other
means in a democratic environment other than through: free, fair and transparent elections. Government and political parties
gain legitimacy in Liberian public life when they effectively organize to
avoid, or better yet, subordinate, the most contentious political issue for the
general good. Constructive engagement and political diplomacy with concerned
parties will reinforce and foster peace, stability and national reconciliation
thereby leading to private sector employment, human empowerment; and speedy
economic growth and national development.
Cognizant
of the fragility of the institutional order, Government and Political Parties
are expected to restore to a pattern of political dialog between and amongst
them to prevent polarized party conflict from escalating into civil conflict
that may hinder our ongoing stability and development. They should and must
endeavor to settle, neutralize, or avoid the most controversy arising from
political statements and actions confronting the peace, stability, and unity of the people and the land.
By
now, however, a new brand of party politics – one that is more compatible with
national sovereignty, equal access to opportunity, unity and stability made
both by the restoration of peace in Liberia and by the entrepreneurial efforts
of government and political leaders, who use public and party institutions to
support employment, human capacity building, economic growth and; development
must be encouraged.
By
the dynamic political awakening of the Liberian people, we call on the
government, political parties and political leaders, other stakeholders; and
ordinary citizens who are concerned about the future of our country and people
at home and abroad to take a positive path to national reconciliation and
accept divergent political views for a sustained geopolitical stability. And
without basic geopolitical stability, any effort to achieve the necessary
reconciliation will falter. More importantly, Government should continue to
promote a greater and broader unity between and amongst the Liberian people in
a more vital and enlarged rural sector.
Ladies and
Gentlemen, also, let me seize the opportunity at this historic anniversary to
call on Liberian Diaspora Communities specifically in the United States and
elsewhere around the globe to see reason to be reconciled over divisible
tendencies that for so long kept us apart from achieving the needed opportunity
and development for all persons.
My
fellow citizens, I have an abiding faith in the desire of every Liberian, and
especially every Liberian political party and government to see our country progress
now and forever. I’m overweening government and political parties will collectively
aspire to improve party coordination, increased reconciliation and commitment
to national peace and unity. I urge Government, Political Parties and their
Leaders; and Liberians to move with quiet dignity to our place on the MRU, ECOWAS, AU, UN, and global forum.
Let no
party refuse to contribute to our development because it is not steering the
highest political office of the land. While it is true that parties should
cooperate to solve common problems, it’s expedient on the part of government to
facilitate transparency at all
levels. Strengthening democracy will come through deepening and reinforcing a
truly national system of accountability
for the most part on the government and its functionaries.
Fellow
compatriots, government authorities, political parties and political leaders,
let’s be reminded of the fact that no one will rebuild Liberia other than
Liberians. By and through our collective and sincere commitment in the
rebuilding of Liberia, certainly, we’ll succeed in making Liberia a better,
healthier, peaceful and productive nation-state to compete with other peaceful
nations around the globe in the discussions of international politics, human
rights, sciences; and production of goods and services for the betterment of
the world’s population.
Long
live Liberia with prosperity and happiness under Allah’s/God’s command.
I
thank you.
About
the author: In 2006 Mr. Kerkulah served as Director
of Technical Unit, Department of Administration, Ministry of Finance, R.L., and
as Teaching Assistant [Management] College of General Studies, University of
Liberia in 2004-’05. He is former Student Leader of the Ibrahim Badamase
Babangida Graduate School of International Studies - IBB at the University of
Liberia in 2004, and in 2003 he serve on the delegation to the International
Peace Conference on Liberia [Liberia Peace Talks] Akosombo-Accra, Ghana. He
also formed part of the delegation of 2002 to the All Liberian National
Conference held at Virginia, Montserrado County, Liberia, and in 2008, he
served as chairman of the Vahun District Development Association, Montserrado
Chapter.
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