Liberian House Speaker talks about the facade of Change that besets the West African nation of 5.5 million people, urging the diaspora population to help address growing economic woes.
In a keynote address at the 50th anniversary of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), House Speaker Fonati Koffa painted a complex picture of Liberia’s political and economic landscape. While acknowledging the country’s democratic progress, Koffa delivered a stark assessment, declaring Liberia to be a “deeply corrupt society characterized by moral bankruptcy, intellectual hypocrisy, and social banditry.”
Koffa’s speech highlighted the persistent class system and the failure to address the “struggle for rice” – a metaphor for the country’s economic challenges. He argued that the fight for rights has not been matched by the conquest of the struggle for economic stability and development.
The House Speaker challenged the Liberian diaspora to evolve their role, shifting from political advocacy to becoming “a catalyst for economic growth.” He emphasized the diaspora’s potential to mobilize billions in investment, business partnerships, and development projects that could create much-needed jobs and drive sustainable growth.
However, Koffa’s remarks suggest a degree of skepticism about the sincerity of Liberia’s “crusade for change.” He argued that those who call for change are often “the outsiders waiting to come in and do the same things,” implying a lack of genuine commitment to systemic reforms.
The speech underscored the disconnect between Liberia’s democratic progress and the persistent issues of corruption and economic stagnation. Koffa’s call to the diaspora to become the “bridge between Liberia and global capital” highlights the urgent need to address these challenges and transform the country’s economic landscape.
