One of the founding leaders of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), Gabriel I.H. Williams, has expressed ‘serious concern’ about the recently launched PhD programs by President Joseph Boakai at the University of Liberia (UL).
This, Williams asserted, “A very disturbing aspect about the launch of the PhD program at this time is the fact that the UL, which was a center for intellectual ferment, has become a breeding ground for mediocrity and intellectual dishonesty, as reflected in many reports of academic fraud.”
He noted further that Liberia’s educational system has been in a state of dysfunction since the end of the brutal and barbaric civil war, as reflected by reports that many of those who earn undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc) are able to only academically perform at the level of a high school 12th grader.
On Monday, October 24, 2024, President Joseph Boakai officially launched Liberia’s first doctoral programs at the UL, marking a significant milestone in the country’s academic development, as well as positioning the nation to enhance its intellectual and research capacities.
At the official launch, President Boakai, however described the introduction of the Ph.D programs in Health Sciences and Education Administration as a transformative step in the nation’s educations sector, which aligns with the government’s long-term vision for inclusive development.
The President further pointed out that the launch of the programs also mark a turning point in Liberia’s higher education landscape, which he added are part of his government’s deliberate efforts to strengthen academic excellence, research, and innovation in Liberia.
But in response, the former PUL president also argued that instead of adding more layers on top of the broken educational foundation, it would be wise for the government to use available resources to rebuild a stronger educational foundation.
He maintained, “And as a noted Liberian educator said in a Facebook post, use the money allocated for education to improve Kindergarten-12th grade, undergraduate education, as well as existing masters’ programs, and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).”
The veteran Liberian journalist and advocate has at the same time called on President Boakai to course correct regarding the launch of a new academic programs at the UL when the existing Liberian educational system remains grossly underfunded.
He added that with thousands of public-school teachers across the country reportedly having gone for months without pay, resulting in many public schools being closed or barely operational, leaving tens of thousands of children out of school is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Mr. Williams has also pledged his support calling for an immediate investigation into the House of Representatives political turmoil, calling on those seeking the ouster of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa that whatever may be their allegations against him, it is imperative that the process be conducted in adherence to the rule of law.
He emphasized, “On this note, we vehemently condemn any undemocratic and criminal attempts to hijack Liberia’s democratic process by a criminal few for self-aggrandizement.”
Mr. Williams further asserted, “In view of the foregoing and considering constant reports of corruption within the new Liberian government, we, as former PUL and ALJA leaders, will not hesitate to advocate for targeted international sanctions against officials of the current Liberian government.”
He recalled, “During the government of President George M. Weah, we wrote the U.S. Government seeking for imposition of sanctions against Liberian officials for rampant corruption, and the U.S. Government imposed sanctions on several senior officials in Weah’s government, which a U.S. Congressman described as a kleptocratic regime (government of thieves). Weah’s government was also accused of complicity in international drug trafficking.”
In another development, the former ALJA leader has congratulated the newly inducted officers of ALJA, headed by Joey Kennedy as president, disclosing that the success of the recent ALJA convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended by journalists from across the U.S. and Liberia, demonstrates that ALJA is back on course as a U.S.-based Liberian media advocacy organization committed to promoting press freedom and good governance in Liberia.
Mr. Williams also used the occasion to urge the newly inducted leadership of ALJA to closely partner with the PUL and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), as the two national-based groups which are striving to promote press freedom and democratic governance in Liberia.
He applauded the two past presidents of ALJA since the reactivation of the organization, Messrs. Moses D. Sandy and Joe S. Mason, for their innovative leadership, which has enabled ALJA to actively partner with the PUL and FeJAL, while also assisting with capacity building of the Liberian media, as well as providing scholarships to a few mass communications students at the University of Liberia (UL).
According to Mr. Williams, ALJA was established to be a bulwark against bad governance and tyranny in Liberia through advocacy and empowerment of the Liberian media.
“It is in view of ALJA’s role in facilitating democratic governance and accountability in Liberia that we strongly support the call by the new leadership of ALJA for a prompt and impartial investigation into allegations of bribery at the National Legislature of Liberia to remove the Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Fonati Koffa, from the Speaker’s position,” Williams added.
