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CDC Abstinence From The Presidential Election: A Strange Democratic Scenario in Liberia

Too many times in our political history there is always a strange scenario that many countries in the world cannot experience. The Liberian people organized themselves properly on November 8, to execute the mandate of democracy without any opposition contestant in the second round of the Presidential Election. The people demonstrated one of the cardinal virtues of democracy through a peaceful and well meaningful process. The National Elections of Liberia (NEC) has made some progress during the first round of the election despite some mishaps and controversies. Many of the International Community members like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) congratulated the Liberian people for the level of maturity exhibited during the course of the election. There were sixteenth Presidential aspirants that participated in the election.  President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Unity Party had 530,020 votes with 43.9% and Winston Tubman of the Congress of Democratic Change (CDC) accumulated 39, 4370 votes with 32.7%. Every well meaning citizens and foreign nationals are concerned about stability of the nation-state which is the focus for such a fragile country.

Strangely, the opposition Congress for Democratic Change refused to participate in the election stating that the entire board of Commission of the National Election Commission must step down. But whatever must be their demand, the party abstained from the electoral procedure which is very good for our democratic process. Liberia has again made significant political history. The process of engaging in a political process left with the personality or institution to participate or not. The leadership of the CDC has chosen to avoid participation. Many will like to wonder why this process is so strange when in democratic process any candidate or institution can abstain from a process. This pattern exhibited by CDC is completely rare in many societies. Notably, Liberia is noted for creating strange history. For examples, Liberia had not been colonized by any foreign forces and we have produced the first female president in Africa. Liberia is remarkable for making significant history but the country is dearly suffering from poverty and other vices.

Substantively, the new government needs to work severely on illiteracy, decentralization, social order, work ethics, and religious tolerance.

  1. i. Illiteracy:

Ironically, the Liberian citizens were so jubilant about the democratic process but there is challenge of illiteracy in the society. Can you imagine out of 1.288,716 that marked 71.6% of the total registered voters, there were 82,074 (6.4%) of invalid votes.  It is so difficult to allow rationality to persist in the country because bulk of the people level of understanding is not good. Many times in some urban and rural communities people have conceptualized that once the information come from media institution it is always correct. The Liberia poverty reduction strategy has to be restructured and well defined to tackle the illiteracy rate in the country where every sector of the country can have some sampling of reading and writing skills. When this problem is not thoroughly tackle or improve, it could jeopardize the peace process or hinder the developmental pattern in the country.

  1. ii. Decentralization:

The question of decentralization is not settled. The concept is wrongly applied in some quarters in the country. Many times deconcentration is being used by present government apparatus. The type of decentralization some of us are speaking of is when the government completely devolves some of the powers to the local authority. This kind of decentralization has not been implemented and addressed. The National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance has been developed by the stakeholders throughout the country with support from the national and international partners especially the Governance Commission, United Nations Development Program, Open Society Initiative for West Africa and the European Union.  The Government of Liberia will have to ensure the National Policy is strictly respected where it can be enacted into law and subsequently set for constitutional referendum. What is amazing is that the executive branch does not necessary need referendum before it can surrender some of the powers to the local people, it just need to be proactive and committed to put the decentralization issue into action. This is the new government challenge.

  1. iii. Social order

Social order is a cardinal virtue for building any vibrant nation-state like Liberia. It is true that we have come out of twenty five years of conflict ranging from political uprising to deadly civil conflict. There are so many learned and shared socialization processes that are detriment to the peace of the state. Some of those who are national leaders grew up through the process of deadly conflict and there is no other way for them to survive except of being gimmick in every practice. They have become the burden of society. It is so unfortunate to note that some Liberians will take the lid of the manhole out thereby creating the chaotic condition for drivers or pedestrians. The young traders used the lid to sell to iron dealers and there is no government agencies who have regimented those who are exporting iron like materials from the country. This is social disorder. It could create the condition where somebody will fall in the hole or a driver car could have terrible accident which could lead to some parts of his car to damage or so on. Today, most of the teenagers who are in secondary schools have become adult. Most of them have kids or living with friends who cannot even manage themselves. The election should not be the only point to show supremacy in the political realm of the country but rather it should serve as the means through which Liberia can be better than many countries in term of social order.

  1. iv. Work ethics:

The Liberian society is so volatile when it comes to people attitude for work. Many Liberians enjoy spreading their hands to beg for money other than getting to work on time and ensuring serious work is done. Most Liberia civil servant just work sometimes for thirty minutes and the rest should be lecture on political issue. It is so discouraging for a country that needs to be developed. I was once told by an elderly man that President Tolbert ensures that his cabinet members were at work on time. Can you imagine a Liberian public official goes for lunch and will not easily come back but will demand for his salary at the end of the month as though he has worked severely for it. For instance, sometimes the excuse for work in the month can enable the public servant to work even for ten working days. Work ethics is a serious problem for our country. In this strange history making country, where history making is peculiar, work ethics must be enhanced to make sure that civil servant or public servant comes to work on time and work seriously.  There are lot more need to be done to make our development visible. We must develop the spirit to work at all times.

Religious tolerance:

In a country where Christianity is the most dominant religion coupled with other religious affiliations and there is no trouble of religious practices, this kind of practice should be respected until the country vanishes from the surface planet. There should be no other religious holiday except for Christmas day and other Christianity holidays.  I hope this is not subjective but it has been shown that Christian religion is more peaceful and democratic as compared to any religion in the world. This is why the biggest in the world, the United States of America does not have no other holiday other than Christmas day which everybody including pagan worship and celebrate. To the incoming legislators or government, please don’t temper with religious holiday. Who can ever go in Indonesia and ask for Christian holiday? We must concentrate on substantial issue rather than Muslim or other religious holiday. Liberians are enjoying living peacefully with other religions. For instance, during the Ramadan season, every Liberian respects the loud noise in the early morning created by our Muslim brothers. They deserve the right to practice their religion. It is true that the country is a secular nation-state but it does mean that all the religions will have holidays. The practically of these religions make it germane and set into motion the issue of secular state. There are many Muslim state in the world where no one can stand up to practice their religion. Can you imagine the Christians allow their daughter to marry any religious group of people? But, it is so difficult for the Muslim and other religion. In deed, Christianity itself is democratic. I know we are noted for making strange history, but please be mindful in granting another religious holiday especially Muslim holiday.

Conclusion:

These analyses once considered as the new plan of the government of Liberia will help put the country in the right perspective. Let me congratulate those who participated in the electoral process of our country. Sorry to those who have fallen short of the bad history during the course of one of our democratic processes. Special congratulation to the Congress for Democratic Change for making Liberia to produce another unique history that many countries have not realized in their political process. Democracy is about participation, abstinence and other unique virtues.  Apart from those factors examined, Liberians must be committed to build their country and forget about creating confusion, living in the United States of America and other parts of the world because Liberia is the only country that they belong to. We must not be phantom bourgeoisie, which is taking our resources to other countries and allowing poverty to engulf our home land. Let me tell the new legislators that Liberia should be the first priority not the other way around. We are finding it difficult with those who are carrying the resources across the Atlantic ocean what’s more of creating law for dual citizenship. I hope that dual citizenship ideal should not be accepted and endorsed. In essence, in no way must the new legislators accept dual citizenship. It will not help the country. Liberians must make their country viable and accept a virtue of abstinence as a democratic value. The time is now!!!

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Jumping Aspirants, Weak Political Parties, Lack of Integrity: Where Would That Take The Liberian State?

Many times we conceptualized that the Liberian state will be better in the future than what it is. This statement seems to be illusive, because those who are to manage the state of affairs are jumping all over the place thus making Liberia Government Issue to be the breeding ground for chopping. How can you have internal party democracy and there can be no loser? Almost all the losers preferred jumping to another party to force opportunity. The political parties are so many and there are no institutional frameworks that can control the parties’ activities, thereby making losers to come from anywhere to jump in another party. Does that also mean that the parties do not have capable people to feel those slots?  Why would a political party exist in the dictionary of NEC when it cannot field viable aspirants for elections?

Let me give you some practical cases: Charles Bennie of Congress of Democratic Change (CDC) left his party to join the Liberty Party (LP) to be represented in one of the Margibi districts; incumbent Samuel Bono, has left the Unity Party (UP), and he is on his way to join another political party; incumbents Gabriel Smith and Vinicious Hodges were defeated in the Liberty Party (LP) primaries, and they have left the party. This scenario is not with only personalities but it is also with institutions that have organized themselves into alliances or coalitions. The National Patriotic Party (NPP) has severe ties with the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), and Cyril Allen, now representing the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) in one of Margibi districts.

How can you have personalities or institutions that are to represent the people or the masses they claimed to protect behaving in a manner that is not good in the sight of mankind? Where in the world will you have an election and there will be no loser? How can a party join a coalition and jump out of it in the last minute without genuine reason? How would politicians learn the rudiments of politics and build strong political culture that would engender robust institutional base that outlasts the partisans?  There is an integrity problem with those who are jumping from one institution to another. Everybody who wants to represent a group of people must stand for integrity, not against. The behavior of the “would be” legislators must be clear, because it also the sign of greed for power. The expectation for them to become better Legislators will not exist. How can we build our integrity system when those who are to set the pace in the society are jumping around from one party to another? How do they condemn an election that is not free, fair and transparent?

The internal democracy in the political parties is fragile and there is no control mechanism to protect the image of the parties. How can these parties manage the affairs of the country when they cannot build an integrity system? The formation of every political party is to nurture and train men and women who would manage government’s affairs. But how can a weak political party manage the affair of the state when they are allowing unacceptable behavioral pattern amongst the partisans? The unwholesome attitude of the “would be” legislators reminds me of the Liberian state and the hustlers. Those who are engaging in this unwholesome practice, by jumping from one party to another are the hustlers in the Liberian State. Their uncontrollable quest for power is not to make any significant change that will improve the lives of the people, but to grab ‘something’ for their pocket, and left the state depleted and wretched.

The Liberian state is fragile, recuperating from a bloody civil conflict. Political actors must not allow it to slip into a failed state. It needs people with integrity to manage it. When we don’t ensure the right governance processes are respected, we sometime tend to blame the WEST for our underdevelopment. Many politicians in Africa have always thought that the problem of underdevelopment can surely rest on the shoulder of the WEST which is completely wrong. Liberia is Africa’s oldest independent country, but what do we have to show for that toga? Paul Kigame’s Rwanda experience similar conflict as Liberia, but can’t compare Rwanda with Liberia in any wise? With this kind of unstable and unpredictable politicians, how can we take Liberia to the Promise Land we are clamoring for?

I want to think now that the struggle for independence by some of the countries on the continent is just a waste of time and the loss of valuable lives. For our part in Liberia, the death of so many Liberians as the result of the civil conflict in the name of poor governance is regrettable, because nothing significant has change. Every time in our political lives, the worst is being implemented. Politics is not about intense greed for power, but rather the ability to manage a group of people in a well organized way for the overall good of the society. The Liberian State might be in trouble if this kind of political attitude cannot change, because this crop of politicians would find it difficult to accept election results as they are not gallant in defeat. Democracy can only be deepened when winning and losing are incorporated in the body polity for balanced development.

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Elections in Africa and its Impact on Development

Democratization has produced a mechanism of election through which decision can be made by people in the state, community etc. The process of election in Africa can be so tense and charged, because most of the political leaders can use the process to come to power to get ill-gotten wealth off the state. It is unfortunate to note that most of the political leaders that participate in election in Africa do not understand the nature of state-building; rather it is about “Personality”. In essence, most of the elections in most parts of Africa are beclouded, with the “culture of Self aggrandizement”. The culture of poverty and the greed of power have stimulated this kind of “Personality attitude.  Many times in African elections, conflict can develop because the process is marked with fraud and those who are mandated to manage the elections fail repeatedly because they are frighten to disappoint their entrenched interests. Only reputable Election Commissions’ Heads who care for state-building can ensure that the process is transparent, credible, free and fair. The Independent National Election (INEC) Chairman of Nigeria Prof. Attahiru Jega, ensures that the general elections held recently in Nigeria were transparent, even though there were some pockets of minute irregularities. When elections are transparent, it strongly helps the developmental process of the state.

The process of electioneering in Africa seems to be a difficult culture because Africans are accustomed to the traditional ways of selecting their leaders. The elder who has rich cultural heritage will always be given the mantle of authority. Since the introduction of this democratic process of choosing leaders, there have always been problems. For the incumbent leaders on the continent, every strategic frame work must be adopted to ensure a “must win scenario” in spite of their poor governance performance. Laurent Gbargbo of Ivory Coast could not accept the election results because he had conceptualized that he must win. Sometimes based on the poor performance of the incumbent, the chances for the opposition to win can be high, but the failure to manage this opportunity has become a great challenge. Opposition failure to accept the results of the election which were internationally acclaimed to be transparent can also create problem for development. Election has become complex for African politicians and has continued to pose the problem for development.

Today, in Kenya, there is an inclusive government and some are undergoing investigation as well as trial in The Hague, based on post-election violence. According to BBC news, in 2008, approximately 600 persons were reportedly killed in the post-election violence in Kenya, following disputes over the results of the December 2007 presidential elections. The country is gradually evolving from the election nightmare after a government of national unity was negotiated which saw power being shared between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. In another development, the opposition leader in Uganda, Dr. Kizza Besigye claimed that President Musovini used intimidation to win the 2011 election. Dr. Kizza Besigye was beaten and hospitalized because of his stance of the election result in which he commented that it was marked with fraud. In Liberia, there was violent demonstration after the 2005 Presidential elections. The scenario was not different South Africa where Thiabo Mbeki and his Defense Minister, Mosiuoa Lekota resigned from the African National Congress (ANC) to organize a new political front-the Congress of the People (COPE), after Thiabo was defeated in the ANC convention in 2008.

The high quest for Mbeki to win could not be realized thus leading to the fragmentation of the ANC.  In 1992, following disputes over the election results in Angola, the National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA) returned to war, which lasted almost a decade.

Unfortunately, the time for election is considered by most African politicians as the time for wielding and dealing wherein they can benefit from the process. It was reported in some major dailies in Liberia that the Congress of Democratic Change’s (CDC) political leader, George Weah, took some money from the Liberty Party Executives for the purpose of alliance. The deal was not successful and Weah benefitted from the deal. It is always good for the political parties to take election as the conduit of building a more democratic state than using the process to breakdown the reason for which it is intended. Wielding and dealing can corrupt the democratic process.

Notably, some political parties cry foul when they have not developed any logical ways of winning the elections. Sometimes, opposition parties used this tactics to negotiate with regional or international organizations to be included in the government. For elections to be transparent in Africa, the incumbent should stay out of any process that would influence umpire body- the election commission. On their part, the electoral commissions should develop the managerial capacity void of outside influence to ensure a prudent management of the elections. Africans politicians must get use to participating in election that is devoid of violence. Every politician must understand that losing elections serves as one of the mature ways of developing statehood. The Judiciary must be respected and they must look beyond party lines to protect the stability of the state. The traditional African practice of selecting leaders has become past reality, therefore every democratic electoral procedure must be professionally respected. It is my hope that the Liberian Politicians and the Election Commissioners will ensure that the 2011 elections will be void of conflict. When Africans developed a respectable practice for election, it will help the continent to develop its socio-economic fabrics. The time is now!!

If you like this article, I’d recommend my book “If I Was Famous, I’d Have a Lot to Say”

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Liberia and its 164 Independence: What Do They Have to Celebrate?


Liberia, the oldest independent African Country with the age of 164 years has not made any substantive progress to have a wide celebration. The country continues to have political confusion marked with unprepared multi-party democracy, ethnic tension, selfish interest over public concern and the common wealth is mostly taken to the Americas and other parts of the world while majority of the people in the country suffered abject poverty. Since independence, on July 26, 1847, most of the national leaders preferred keeping their families in the United States of America, thus creating huge capital flight for a small economy that continues to be fragile.

Liberia’s political order emerged as an over-centralized and predatory order that turned increasingly repressive as pressures for inclusion intensified over the years. It ultimately collapsed under such pressures as external support declined with the ending of the cold war (sawyer, 2004). For the most part, the country has experienced eighteenth violent conflict ranging from 1822 up to 2003 (Levitt, 2005). These violent conflicts have made the society to be acculturated to the “culture of violence”. For instance, in some cases whenever there is an accident in the street where a driver hit somebody especially in a crowded area, when the police doesn’t come around faster on the spot, there will be mob action that could lead to the death of the driver. These wars further broke down the weak and impaired system of governance, led to the death of many Liberians, the destruction of properties and created too much ethnic tension in the country especially among the indigenous and the settlers or the Americo-Liberians. It was appalling that some of those Liberians who were involved in planning and executing the conflict from 1979 up to 2003 refused to apologize to Liberians during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing. Worse of all, the country is witnessing its former President, Charles Taylor being investigated in the Hague for committing crime against humanity in Sierra Leone.

Sadly, there is a breakdown of social value system in the society than ever before simply because the teenage parents don’t have the socialization skills to develop such a core family value. The county needs severe and real commitment to settle such a national crisis rather than putting more interest in celebrating an independence that is not meaningful.

Indeed, the celebration of independence is just because of age factor not because progress has been made in the country as compared to other countries that have had independence. Despite the challenges that come with governing a fragile state, all of these socio-economic and political problems persist because there is no “political will”. For Liberians to always be proud of their independence celebration there must be practical reality of national commitment which will require collective efforts that calls dedication, honesty, hard work, transparency and nationalism.

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When Will Might Make Right End?

So many times in our political life in the world the issue of might makes right takes precedence over logical reasoning. When George Bush launched his offensive on Saddam Hussein, it was the refusal of Saddam to destroy his “weapon of mass destruction”. The American leader, George Bush believed strongly Saddam’s refusal would have hindered the peace in the world. The entire world organizations were against the United States of America attacked on Iraq. The Americans exerted all their might to the extend they witnessed Saddam being executed. The entire scenario was might makes right. No country in the world would have executed such a notable task.

Realistically, the world politics gives credence to the United Nations decision especially once it is supported by the super power of the world, the United States of America. No country dares to violate the decision of the Security Council members. Whether you are right personally, they have the decision of right in the world body politics. Can you imagine the world has considered AIDS as the only major disease in the world that needs serious attention? Disease has been considered “POLITICAL DISEASE”.

During the course of the cold war, they were right when they were supporting insurgents throughout Africa trying to get support. Ambassador Herman Cohen stated that they provided so much money to Samuel Doe to have an easy passage of support to Jonas Savimbe. The Liberian route was the direct conduit for Jonas operation.

Let me ask few questions on the issue of Charles Taylor.

  1. How was Charles Taylor released from the United States of America prison to prosecute civil war in Liberia?
  2. Why the United States government did not turn Charles Taylor over to Samuel Kanyan Doe?

They were right for releasing Taylor because there was an interest at stake that needed solution.

Today, they are interacting with a rebellious government in Libya because their interest is to get Ghaddafi out of power and ensure that a government that suits their interest takes the mantle of power. The issue of interacting with rebel government is justifiable. In fact, the Secretary of State of the United States of America has asked African government to renounce diplomatic relationship with Libya simply because of their interest. This is might makes right. The Liberian President broke the diplomatic relationship in England during a state visit. The African Leaders cannot fight against the powers because of the limited might they have. It will not be possible for any country in the world to invade the United States of America to arrest a criminal, only the USA can execute such a function in any part of the world. See how bin laden was arrested and killed. They have no regret for the action because they have the might all times to protect their interest.

What has strengthened the issue of might makes right is the concept of dependency syndrome. Too many times African and developing countries relied on the super power for every substantial capacity that will develop them. In spite of the resources in these African countries they are still depending on the super power in the world to make decision for them. There are cases where the leaders of these countries exploit their own home land and deposit it in these countries to live well with their families. How will might makes right not be strengthened? Might makes right can gradually end when the African and developing leaders allow rationality and commitment prevail in the execution of their functions.

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Human Relations and Motivation: Workplace Attitudes in Liberia

Background and Introduction:

Human relations and motivation of workers in public service is a significant human relation scenario at workplace that requires training of workers and administrators especially in the Liberian society. These concepts are so significant that they can destroy the image of the entity or result to dignifying the organization, or lead to productivity. At one time, employees were considered just another input in the production of goods and services. What perhaps changed this way of thinking about employees was research done through the Hawthorne Studies, conducted by Elton Mayo (Oribabor, 2000). The Hawthorne studies began the human relations approach to management, whereby the needs and motivation of employees became the primary focus of managers. Motivation has been the focus of many studies due to its crucial role in determining how people choose to use their limited and precious time and energy. Theories have developed with the goal of understanding how humans are motivated and to what ends motivation can be used. The interest in human motivation can be traced as far back as historical records go, and what motivates humans continues to intrigue us. Greek philosophers; medieval writers, such as Saint Augustine; nineteenth – century Europe philosophers; and Eastern thinkers of many centuries all have proposed more or less complete theories about motivation(Berry, 1998). Moreover, public service motivation may be understood as an individual’s predisposition to respond to motives grounded primarily or uniquely in public institutions and organizations (Rainey 1982). This paper discussed those human relation issues like motivation, job satisfaction and performance. Specific cases of human relations in the context of Liberia are discussed.

Fredrick Taylor Human Relations Context:

Friedrick Taylor was an American and one of the early management consultants in the world that believed in “industrial efficiency” (Wall Street Journal, 1997). He believed that by nature man is lazy therefore all his activities must be regimented and set in strict framework with the emphasis of time. Taylor understanding was the “Machine Approach”. Man must work like a machine. That is why his concept is referred to as “Scientific Management”. Fredrick Scientific Management concepts have been critique and there are other schools like the theory “Y” concept that brings a good relationship with the employer and employee. Theory “Z” has been considered the best and it is extremely applicable in Japan. Let me give you some analysis on the Liberia Human relation factors.

Motivation and Job Performance:

Motivation: It is typified as an individual phenomenon. Every person is unique and all the major theories of motivation allow for this uniqueness to be demonstrated in one way or another (Mullins, 1996).  Motivation is also the arousal and the force of an individual to engage in desired behavior. It concerns action, and the internal and external forces which influence a person’s choice of action. There are two types of motivation: Intrinsic and Extrinsic. The intrinsic motivation relates to psychological rewards such as the opportunity to use one’s ability while the extrinsic motivation is related to tangible rewards such as salary and fringe benefits, security, promotion, contrast of service, the work environment and conditions of work. Additionally, (Osterloh and Frey, 2000), stated that employees are extrinsically motivated if they satisfy their needs indirectly, especially through monetary compensation. Job satisfaction is not the same as motivation. Job satisfaction is more of an attitude, an internal state. It means therefore, many of the Liberians who misbehave at their workplaces without exerting professional skills, doesn’t necessarily mean they are satisfied or not but rather they have an awkward attitude at work place.  There are many propositions which states that satisfaction leads to performance but sometimes it may not be the case. Therefore, motivation, job satisfaction and performance are crucial concepts related to work place that require considerate efforts if work attitude must be enhanced.

HUMAN RELATIONS AND MOTIVATION AT THE LIBERIA WORKPLACES: SOME CASES

Let me illustrate some classical examples of human relation at Liberian workplaces:

TAXI DRIVERS: When you ask the taxi drivers about direction, they will not answer. In fact, they demand the charge that does not conform to the government transport arrangement. When you refused while they are driving, they harshly demand you to get out of the car. This is why in most cases; they refused to pick up the University of Liberia students because some of the students always have their government transportation regulation in their bag or pocket to show it to them at any point. In most restaurants, when you enter, the waiter or waitress will sit and wait upon you until you send for them. If you sometime make an error to ask for something that is not in the restaurant, they will say “what brought you here” or tell you something that will not be encouraging.

HEALTH CARE WORKER & JOHN F. KENNEDY: Some of the health care workers (Nurse, Registrar, and Physician Assistant) believed that the patients who are the victims must show respect at all times. Some of them have stated that they are not motivated by the administrators of their various health centers while it has been observed that their awkward actions come from their behavioral pattern. In early April, 2011, I went to visit a patient at John F. Kennedy Maternity Hospital, a lady who was a nurse aid or a medical practitioner insulted a visitor until I told her, “the lady has already apologized to you just leave her alone”. The medical practitioner continued to insult the lady until she had to suspend her visit. On the other hand, there was a medical practitioner who said she enjoyed working with her patient and their family in fact, she allows her phone to be used by all patients at all times, whenever there is a need .

Let it be noted that psycho-socio training is the foundation of the medical discipline, therefore all medical associates respect the psycho-social foundation in the medical field. It serves as the conduit for promoting the human relation factor of life.

TOTAL GAS STATION OFFICE: At the TOTAL office around LPRC, a lady in the customer service made me to buy the TOTAL card twice simply because she did not explain the process well to me. When I told her, she begun to yell, saying “You were not paying attention, just buy another one, Mr. Man.” I did not have cash on hand, thereafter; I had to lobby with a decent lady who works in the customer service to assist me. She did professionally what I requested her to do for my second card and her cash was refunded later.

DSTV OFFICE: It was so funny and discouraging when two men assuming to be in their fifties went early in the morning, precisely at 9 A.M. in the morning to transact. They were thrown out because according to the workers it was too early and they were not ready to start job. I hope my analysis will not be taken out of context, meaning it is politics. It was difficult to confirm whether they were motivated or not. But the human relation with the customer was not encouraging with the men.

CONCLUSION: Human relation is a unique attribute to workplace. Motivation, Job satisfaction and Performance are characteristics of human relation factors that can stimulate or enhance productivity. Productivity is about the relationship between quantity/quality of goods/services produced and the quantity of resources used to produce them (Onyeonoru, 2005). Workers must ensure that the maximum productivity is yielded. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the management that all the core issues with human relations are settled within the workplace. Liberian workers will have to be more committed and ready to pay attention to duty. Let it be noted that the buyer and seller must respect each other. But, interestingly once there is competition in the market, the buyer will have many options; therefore it is incumbent upon the seller to exert the basic strategic human relations framework.

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Gaddafi and the International Bird Net: A Case of the Warrant of Arrest by the International Criminal Court

There have been different opinions from Africans on the expected war crime allegation levied by the International Criminal Court on Gaddafi and two other Libyans on the issue of crime against humanity. It is now a reality that the world is a global village and that no leader can misbehave outside the standard international practice. It was Charles Taylor who strongly believed that no day will he be put behind bar for his outrageous action against the people of Sierra Leone. Truly, he was handcuffed, brought to Monrovia and chained like a common criminal in The Hague. Now, the Sudanese President Omar Bashir is on the run but there will be no escape for him. The time has come for the World to ensure that all men of the human race to be treated with dignity and pride.

How could Mohammed Gaddafi call his people cockroaches and rats? He ensured that they were killed despite their peaceful refusal to live in the dungeon of suffering for forty two years. This is completely an inhumane for any civilized government. Apart from his awkward attitude in his country, he extended support to dictators in other parts of the African continent. For instance, during the testimony at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Liberia, most of the rebel commanders mentioned that they were trained in Libya. These rebels disintegrated the Liberian society in every direction. The rebels made sure that over two hundred thousand Liberian died and the country is now a failed state. Up to date, the Liberians are still suffering from the scourge of the civil war.

Indeed, Gaddafi has landed in the International bird net. It is a reality that the civilized world can also discipline any leader who misbehaved. It is not only the issue for African leaders. A typical example is the Boss of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn who was in custody on charges on sexual assault with a hotel maid. He was in fact refused bail. This is exactly the type of justice that is needed to protect the dignity of mankind in the world. Whatever judgment that will come thereafter, justice is being taken in a fair manner.   Gaddafi will have to learn that the world is global village and no man is an island. Let this go as a lesson to African leaders who enjoy inflicting suffering on their people.

The World is ready to regiment those who will engage in such a practice. Let it not be conceptualized that they will withdraw from any major international organizations. This will be unthinkable for any dictator. African Leaders must learn to treat their people with respect and pride. The world is watching and ready to apprehend any evil doer. The International bird net has been made for such a leader who will go contrary to international regulations. I am of the conviction that one day most African leaders will learn to be more positive in dealing with their people. Why could Gaddafi ever think that the world will watch him destroyed his people and go free? The time is now;

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The Ivorian Conflict and the Peace Process in Liberia

Ivorian fleeing their country have sought refuge on the Liberian border.

The Ivorian political situation between President- Elect Allasane Quattara and Laurent Gbagbo has led to a huge flow of many refugees into the northeastern and eastern parts of Liberia, especially to the border towns of Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties. The fighting between the two arch rivals Quattara and Gbagbo is too graved to the extent that it could lead to the instability of Liberia despite the presence of huge United Nations Mission in Liberia. What is unfortunate to note is that Liberians are combating each other in Ivory Coast. The wounds from the Liberian civil conflict between some ethnic groups has not being resolved. For instance, there is a history of confusion between the Gios and the Manos on the one hand and the Krahns on the other hand. In fact, there is an intrinsic psychological problem that has developed between the two ethnic groups as the result of the killing of Thomas Qwinonkpa of Nimba County by the Krahn ethnic group and the killing of President Samuel Kanyon Doe by Prince Johnson of the Gio ethnic group and many more situations. It is stated that the two tribes are seriously engaging each other in Ivory Coast. This fighting could lead to an offshoot to another round of the Liberia conflict which will hinder the peace process. When will this intrinsic psychological conflict end between these two ethnic groups? How could Liberians be engaged in another country’s conflict? Interestingly, there is a similarity of ethnic relationship that exists in Ivory Coast and Liberia.

Despite the disarmament of 103, 109 ex-fighters with 27,000 weapons destroyed, there is still challenge of illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Liberian society. The Liberian National Security Document (2008) stated that 9,000 ex-fighters did not benefit from the Rehabilitation and Reintegration phase of the program. Some of the fighters did not disarm and others crossed the borders to Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Unfortunately, the international borders with these countries are porous and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons are very much likely. The Government of Liberia and the International Community should exert every effort to ensure the Ivory Coast conflict is speedily resolved because there are many variables that could interplay to another Liberian war if the conflict remains unsettled.

 The Ivory Coast conflict has the propensity to hinder the peace process in Liberia. Liberians should be cautious about their role in the Ivorian crisis and learn to live in peace and harmony with their neighbor. Every Liberian should know by now that the fourteen years of war brought total destruction and suffering to the people of the country. There will always be socio-economic opportunities for a stable country.

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