By Gideon Nma Scott, Jr.
Ahead of President-elect Joseph Boakai’s swearing-in on January 22, people close to his office have started scaring citizens away from the inauguration program by putting in place stiff security measures intended to control the size of the crowd at the ceremony expected to take place on Capitol Hill.
During a meeting with a cross-section of journalists in Monrovia on January 8, the Transitional Team on Media estimated the expected crowd size at the inauguration at 4,000 persons, due to the capacity of the venue, and restricted journalists expected to cover the program to two persons per institution.
Attendance for this year’s inauguration ceremony, however, is restricted to a very small number of persons and institutions, due to what is perceived as huge security measures being put in place by the Joint President Transitional Team (JPTT) heading the program.
“Only two media institutions – Liberia Broadcasting system (LBS) and ECOWAS – will carry the program live. Other media outlets will relay from these radio stations on their respective platforms,” Jonathan Paylayleh, head of the communication team said.
According to him, Amb. Boakai would prefer a simple and modest program that will reflect on how he intends to lead his people.
Boakai’s small inauguration crowd size may show to the Liberian people the humble and modest lifestyle of the incoming president, but may also deny many persons a full coverage of the event due to the limitation of guests and media institutions that are expected to provide live media coverage.
“There are many grand traditions to the inauguration, and we plan to honor them by highlighting more of our nation’s people, culture, and heritage than ever before, while keeping a minimum crowd at the main event,” Paylayleh said.
The three successive inaugural programs Liberia has had following the civil war have given a considerate population of the country an opportunity to witness the once-in-a-lifetime occasion, either in person or followed by radio or television coverage. But, the restriction of media intended to cover the program to two anchor institutions and asking others to relay may provide a platform to deny thousands of Liberians and foreign nationals alike from being a part of the event.
Paylayleh is encouraging people to stay home and watch the inauguration virtually, or follow through various radio platforms that will relay the program from the venue.
“Our goal right now is to encourage Liberians to participate virtually or listen to designated radio stations that will relay the program. We are working with every radio station, including community radio stations in the counties as well as community dweller with smart television to stream the program in different locales,” he said.
