By Grace Q. Bryant
The former Executive Director of Liberia’s National Investment Commission (NIC), George Wisner, has outlined pressing socio-economic challenges facing Liberia during the National Convention of the Association of Liberian Journalists in America (ALJA).
The program was held in Philadelphia where Wisner’s address did not only underscore the current realities of poverty, inequality, and division in Liberia but also offered a pathway forward, particularly focusing on the role ALJA could play in shaping the country’s future.
Wisner began by citing recent World Bank estimates, highlighting that over half of Liberia’s population, or 3.5 million people, live in poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 per day. One million of these individuals live in extreme poverty.
The rural-urban divide, Wisner emphasized, is stark: 71.7% of the poor live in rural areas, where 68% of Liberia’s population resides.
Wisner outlined the nation’s broader economic struggles with Liberia having the lowest proportion of middle-class citizens on the continent, with only 4.8% of the population qualifying as middle class.
The 2022 Liberia Food Security, Nutrition, Livelihoods, and Market Assessment confirm that 2.2 million Liberians, or 47% of households, are food insecure.
Liberia’s ranking of 110 out of 116 countries on the Global Hunger Index reflects the deep-rooted hunger and malnutrition crises that demand urgent attention.
Wisner turned to Liberia’s education and healthcare systems, noting a literacy rate of 48.3%, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas.
Only 49% of rural Liberians have access to healthcare, compared to 88% of urban residents. These gaps in access reflect broader inequalities that plague the nation.
Wisner also addressed the political fragmentation dividing Liberia along tribal and ethnic lines.
He expressed concerns over the deepening cleavages exacerbated by the 2023 elections, which saw the presidential winner failing to secure votes in an entire region of the country. “Our country is regressing deeper into ethnic cleavages.”
He warned the ruling Unity Party (UP) to take responsibility for addressing tribal divisions and fostering national unity.
Wisner offered several solutions, starting with enhancing Liberia’s education system, particularly by introducing stronger civics education at the primary and secondary levels.
He stressed the need for competence-based leadership, regardless of tribal affiliation, and called for investments in think tanks to generate development ideas.
He urged the country to pursue excellence and innovative solutions rather than repeating past mistakes, adding, “We must not settle for mediocrity.”
On the role of the media, Wisner emphasized the need for a more robust and educated press, calling on ALJA to support the education and training of journalists in Liberia. “ALJA cannot be deemed strong when the media landscape in Liberia is weak”, Wisner remarked.
He urged the association to take an active role in strengthening the press to ensure accountability, transparency, and social justice.
He called to action reminding the audience that Liberia’s future is a shared responsibility.
He emphasized that the pursuit of equality, democracy, and inclusive development is a collective effort, and urged both Liberia’s government and its citizens, including the diaspora, to take bold steps in shaping a brighter future for the country.
Liberia’s struggle for socio-economic progress is longstanding.
Poverty, inequality, exclusion, and marginalization have plagued the nation since its founding.
Despite numerous crises including civil wars and political upheaval the Liberian state has consistently failed to resolve these deep-rooted challenges. This failure has led to growing public distrust and cynicism.
Wisner highlighted that while Liberia has known the right path toward development, it has often chosen the wrong one.
The cycle of failed promises from pledges of “new republics” to oaths to uphold the Constitution has resulted in stagnation. Corruption and lawlessness persist, despite political leaders’ promises of reform.
He cited a former Vice President’s observation, noting, “The problem with us is us”; a sentiment that reflects widespread public frustration.
Wisner acknowledged that while ruling parties bear significant responsibility for governance, the failure to build a prosperous nation is a national issue, not just a political one.
Wisner explained how Liberia’s political elites have historically exploited public office for sectional gain, leading to exclusionary governance and unequal access to resources. These issues, he warned, will continue to threaten peace and development if left unaddressed.
Wisner stressed that lies have beclouded the rhetoric of collective ownership of the country and its resources. He called on Liberians to therefore see the nation as a living entity to be nurtured rather than a resource to be exploited.
He acknowledged, however the blamed being shifted on external powers like the United States for Liberia’s failures. But Wisner argued that the real question is whether Liberians have done enough for themselves. “Corruption and short-sightedness have squandered the nation’s natural wealth”, he noted, adding, “it is time for Liberians to take responsibility for their own progress.”
