Buttressing “THE CDCian” Newspaper’s Editorial

In print journalism, a particular page or space that provides for the media institution to give its views or opinion on topical or national issues is referred to as the editorial column. An editorial which is the mouth piece of the media is quite different from a commentary written by an individual.

However, sometimes the media institution may use a commentary written by an outsider, as its editorial for the day because it agrees with the views or opinion expressed by the writer in that commentary. In such case, there would be an indication to show that it came from somebody outside the editorial terrain of the media institution, sometimes with a phrase: “GUEST EDITORIAL.”

Additionally, it is also said that, “an editorial is an article written by the senior editorial staff or publisher of a newspaper, magazine, or any other written document, often unsigned.

Also, it is said that an editorial, “is a brief article written by an editor that expresses a newspaper’s or publishing house’s own views and policies on a current issue. If written by an outsider it normally carries a disclaimer saying the article does not necessarily reflects the publisher’s official views.

Principally, “editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.”

Today, I am referring to editorial to reflect on the editorial, which appeared in the Monday, February 24 edition of the CDCIANS NEWSPAPER, captioned: ”EMBRACING CDC RERTREAT WITH CRITICAL MIND,”

In that editorial, the paper, with some old-hands in the business, looking at the retreat said among other things:”

as the situation avails itself, the pending retreat should be seen far from an angle of mere pomp and pageantry, but one that provides an opportunity for CidiCians to identify their multiple challenges and devise the appropriate remedial actions in ways that keep alive the slogan, “Hope for Change.”
“And it matters thus that the retreat will organize a secretariat whose primary role would be developing documentation of consensus derived by the attendees. We are inclined to accentuate that the multitude of Liberians who stood by President Weah prior to his ascendency to the national throne are, by and large, supportive of his work and so, those charting the course of duty along with people leadership’s leader must put Liberia first or be made to quit the scene. Liberia is not short of manpower.”

“Consequentially, to the many challenges both in the party and government, we are left to lend unhindered support to earlier calls for a reshuffle in government. Our government, a government conceived by, and owned by the people can’t afford to appear to perpetually rely on a handful of people, many of whose output are far below expectation”.

“Certainly, our interest of supporting a reshuffle is not against any individual, but one that is bent on enabling Liberians to get the best of those called in to serve. Liberia is for Liberians.

No one, irrespective of whatever consideration, has specific entitlement to serve in government at his or her wish. Besides, fatigue on the job leads to complacency and monotony of duties that produce no tangibles and lead to failure.

The virus of fatigue is not unique to public service everywhere and certainly not to the CDC Administration. What seems to be unique is that it seems nearly all in the government have now developed immunity to the remedy of fatigue, which is reshuffle.

Reshuffle stimulates energies in the officialdom; it tells appointed officials they are not indispensable, and it keeps them on the edges of their seats to always double up and meet target consistent with the President’s policy and agenda.

“And so, we see it expedient to join the chorus in calling on President George Manneh Weah to consider instituting a shake-up in government. After all quality public service to Liberians is more paramount than any individual or group’s interest. Surely, Liberia is not short of manpower”.

“As the CDC goes to retreat, it is hoped that sloganeering and battle cries will not be tampered with scientific thinking, sobering, stock taking and shrewd planning and that the entire CDC architecture and the governance system that the party leads will be put on the prism for constructive and decisive recording toward “Change of Hope”- the first love upon which the CDC triumphed to power”.

“This means the retreat is only the beginning of a long thoughtful process that will retire with exhaustive answers to the critical questions and dire challenges that faced the party and its government.”

“We recommend, therefore, that the retreat be climaxed with the establishment of specialized committees and think tanks that will keep due surveillance on the political spectrum, and other sectors of society, plan, and possibly advice the party and government”.

Frankly I agree with the portion of the editorial that speaks about reshuffle in government. To this, the editorial said,” Consequentially, to the many challenges both in the party and government, we are left to lend unhindered support to earlier calls for a reshuffle in government. Our government, a government conceived by, and owned by the people can’t afford to appear to perpetually rely on a handful of people, many of whose output are far below expectation.”

The editorial went further to say that the paper’s “interest of supporting a reshuffle is not against any individual, but one that is bent on enabling Liberians to get the best of those called in to serve.

Liberia is for Liberians. No one, irrespective of whatever consideration, has specific entitlement to serve in government at his or her wish. Besides, fatigue on the job leads to complacency and monotony of duties that produce no tangibles and lead to failure. “

Once again, the editorial is TIMELY because for too long there have been calls for reshuffle in the government. Regrettably, this has not claimed the attention of the President of Liberia who is the only one clothed with such constitutional power to execute such reshuffle in government.

The issue of appointing people to government can be likened to the issue of PUBLIC RELATIONS, which is mainly tied to “performance.” Even if they are friends or die-hard partisans, if they are not delivering the good, something must be done to achieve high productivity.

I hope the good intention of the editorial staff of this paper would not be misconstrued by sycophants for self-centered reasons. This must not be a place for merry-making and conviviality, but a place for practical exchange of ideas and sober reflection to move the country from backwaters to prosperity.

As the editorial said, “as the CDC goes to retreat, it is hoped that sloganeering and battle cries will not be tampered with scientific thinking, sobering, stock taking and shrewd planning and that the entire CDC architecture and the governance system that the party leads will be put on the prism for constructive and decisive recording toward “Change of Hope”- the first love upon which the CDC triumphed to power.”

As it is said, ‘TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED.”

I Rest My Case.