The Better Future Foundation, BFF, has embraced the launch of the 5-year National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, (NAPBHR) 2024-2028, in Liberia.
The NAPBHR, launched by the Government of Liberia through Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, with Support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and stakeholders on Wednesday, 14, August, 2024, at the Monrovia City Hall seeks to protect all persons under the duty-bound jurisdiction of the Government of Liberia from all forms of human rights violations and abuses, including those related to business operations.
In a statement issued in Monrovia on August 18, 2024, and signed by its Secretariat, BFF asserted that the launch of the NAPBHR indeed reinforces the duty of the Liberian State to firmly protect all those under its jurisdiction from business-related human rights abuses, the business’s responsibility to respect human rights, and the requirement for both the State and businesses.
In the statement, BFF which is dedicated to the post-war reconstruction and development of Liberia indicated that the measure would ensure that victims of such abuses have access to effective remedies, as provided under most domestic legislations, and in line with the standards under the United Nations guiding principles on business and human rights.
The Foundation which is also committed to the promotion of socio-economic, education, and international cultural understanding and cooperation underscores the importance of the NAPBHR which implementation focusses on six key thematic areas as identified by stakeholders.
They include Land and Natural Resources, Labor Issues, Access to Justice, Environmental Concerns, Transparency and Accountability, and Gender and related issues.
The statement quoted BFF’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Rev. Augustine Arkoi as saying the inauguration of the National Action Plan presents a perfect opportunity, framework and mechanism for Liberians to take legitimate ownership of their economy.
According to the BFF CEO, human development, peace and security can only be assured and guaranteed in the country when Liberians are major stakeholders and drivers of their local economy.
He asserted that at the moment, while Liberians are mere spectators of their economy, foreigners, particularly Lebanese, Indians, and Fulanis have leased and developed nearly all buildings in Monrovia, Liberia’s Capital, and its suburbs.
The BFF CEO pointed out that there exists a glaring possibility that descendants of those property owners may never be able to retain their inheritances due to long and unregulated lease tenures reached with wealthy foreigners and other well-to-do overseas business owners.
With due respect to Liberians, BFF maintains that Liberian citizens across the country are too poor with very low purchasing power to afford their own housing and other basic life necessities, such as food, education, healthcare, electricity, water and sanitation, among others.
The renowned civil society and pro-democracy institution, in the statement, identified what it characterizes as the “culture of laziness,” low education, gross lack of patriotism and entrepreneurial mindset, endemic and unbridled corruption in government, institutional violations of public and private financial mismanagement laws, desecrations of Public Procurement and Concession Commission provisions, and ‘Fronting for foreign-owned businesses for self-aggrandizement’ are some of the key factors which are preventing Liberians from taking ownership of their own economy.
BFF therefore proposed that the government of Liberia, GoL, must leave no stone unturned in effectively addressing the negative vices such as the persuasive labor abuse and exploitations, by businesses, corporate institutions, particularly Concessionaires.
The CSO advocacy group described as very concerning and troubling validated reports that some concession companies in the country often used their statutory pacts with Government to, in gross violations of said agreements, exploit workers and the country’s natural resources including timbers, diamonds, gold, rubber, among others at the detriment and livelihood of local communities and residents.
At the same time, BFF recommended that the GoL should not only uncompromisingly enforce the ‘Liberianization’ policy, restricting certain businesses for Liberians, but also provide Special Trust fund to support the development of Real Estate properties owned by Liberians to enable them reap the full financial rewards from their Real Estates, and as well, become millionaires.
BFF warned Liberians against fronting for foreign businesses and to work towards protecting the best interests of the country and for the benefit of all.
The launch of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2024-2028 is in consonance with Article 11 (a of the 1986 constitution of Liberia which states that “All persons are born equally free and independent and have certain natural and inalienable rights, among which are the right of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of pursing and maintaining and security of the person and of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, subject to such qualifications as provided for in this constitution.”
BFF, is a Non-state Actor and advocate for the economic and regional integration of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS).
