By Patrick N. Tokpah
The president and the CEO of the Liberian Advocates for Change Through Social Justice and Rights Inc. (LACTS), Emmanuel BeyanTarnue has concluded a one-day awareness on its program “Vote Your Issues First” with students of the William V. S. Tubman High School in Monrovia.
LACTS is a non-profit and non-governmental organization that was established in Liberia in 2020 and has a 501c 3 designation in the United States of America.
Speaking on March 21, 2023, on the campus of the Williams V.S. Tubman High School in Monrovia, Mr. Tarnue said that the “Vote Your Issues First!” program is a unique and historic civic education program based on the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
According to Emmanuel BeyanTarnue, the program the program is aimed at assisting citizens in their efforts to shape a democratic government that responds to their wishes in the social contract and to promote transparent and effective governance.
He stated further that ‘Vote Your Issues First’ is a program that focuses on educating voters about the significance and value of their constitutional rights and responsibilities relative to their votes and the mechanisms to create a comprehensive social contract.
Mr. Tarnue told the students that the program includes the ability to prioritize critical issues such as the improvement of governance and healthcare, which greatly affect their communities.
The Liberian Advocates for Change Through Social Justice and, Rights Executive Director said that the program is of crucial relevance because the government cannot resolve all the issues of the people at the same time, noting that it is of utmost importance to educate the people on how to effectively leverage their votes to handle the issues that will improve their quality of life the most in the country.
Additionally, he said that the anticipated outcome is that after a nationwide discussion with the people in their communities, the citizens of Liberia will reach a consensus on at least one critical issue of common interest as provided for in Article 17 of the Constitution.
The tough-talking LACTS Executive Director told the William V. S. Tubman High School students that the goal of the program is to partner with civil society groups, political leaders, the government of Liberia, and the international community, adding, “This partnership is geared toward implementing the ‘Vote Your Issues First’ program that will assist the Liberian people in leveraging their votes to resolve critical issues such as bad governance and poor healthcare which are greatly affecting their personal lives.”
“This will also assist the citizenry to prevent or avert political tension that could potentially lead to post-election conflict,” he noted.
He said for the past 175 years, the success story of a democratic government that responds to the wishes of the Governed in Liberia has not been possible due to the absence of the Liberian people.
“Without you, the success story of an effective dialogue between you the people, and the government in dealing with the political, economic, and cultural issues that must improve the quality of life of the governed will almost be impossible to write in this country,” Tarnue stated.
“Without you, a social contract that should ensure the proper functioning of the government for accountability, transparency, and good governance cannot be achieved,” he added.
He then called on all Liberians to join the LACTS in creating more awareness and education for the citizens about their constitutional rights.
He further called on all political parties, civil society groups, the media, the international community, and the government of Liberia to partner with the Liberian Advocates for Change Through Social Justice and Human Rights Inc. in this effort to assist the Liberian people in achieving a democratic government that responds to their wishes.
