Cultivating The Spirit Of The County Meets For Self-Help Initiatives

By Atty Philip N. Wesseh (PNW)
If a survey were to be done to get people’s views on the significance of the annual “COUNTY MEETS” in Liberia, many persons would undoubtedly speak about two major aspects. There would be entertainment and assemblage of people from a particular county or tribal background. Rightly so, such views would not be wrong, but I see the County Meets from another perspective.

The County Meets is a Liberian parlance which refers to the holding of annual sporting events, mainly soccer, kickball (a Liberian female game) and basketball. These games are played annually under the supervision or watchful-eye of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with a specific theme.

While I do not doubt that people who always consider the entertainment and gathering aspects of the game, one thing that we, as a people from various political sub-divisions and various tribal backgrounds can do is to take note of the spirit and cordiality, as well as the camaraderie that usually characterizes the game for “SELF-HELP INITIATIVES.”

Observably, this is time of no tribal division, even with those from various ethnic groups from each county. It is also time where people from different political persuasions always come together in the interest of their counties.

In all fairness as the games continue, there is no visibility of ruling or opposition parties or tribal division, even from a particular county, as all of these usually dissipate because of the spirit of the game.

Basically, my concern today is not the issue of the entertainment and gathering of people to cheer their counties to victory.

The issue today for me is whether or not we can use this spirit and camaraderie that usually characterizes the game for us to undertake self-help initiatives in our various counties.

From what I usually observe from these games, I am of the strong conviction that such would inspire us to engage in development projects in our counties. I really admire the way and manner in which citizens identify themselves with their counties.

While it is also true that the government has a duty or responsibility for the development of the country; equally so, the citizens can engage in projects for the development of their areas to complement the efforts of national government.

I believe that if we cultivate the spirit of the County Meets as we gather in our numbers from various localities for the games, if the same is done for a PROJECT, there would always be success.

I am aware that during these exercises, there are people of influence and affluence and others who do not have such standing, but always contribute towards the success of their counties.

This spirit of giving which has been exhibited for the County Meet, should take another level for self-help initiatives.

Let this spirit of the game inspire us to ensure that we participate in efforts to achieve some projects in our various counties. If we can do it for the County Meet, we can also do it on a self-help basis.

Remember, as the National Anthem says, “In Union Strong Success Is sure…”

I Rest My Case.