The National Chairperson of the Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA), Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, says corruption is a deliberate act for which excuses should not be granted whenever it is committed especially by public officials.
He believes that it is the basis of cheating that has kept countries including Liberia backwards in terms of improving its developmental agenda and human development index.
Gongloe made the statement during the formal launch of the Ft. Monsignor Robert G. Tikpor Justice, Peace, and Leadership Award at the St. Kizito Catholic Parish in Paynesville during the weekend by the Grassroots Agency for Social Services (GRASS), a Grand Bassa County-based human rights group.
The first recipients of the Award were the Judge of 2nd Judiciary Circuit Court, Grand Bassa County, Joseph Barkon; Rescue Mission’s Pastor Olivia Weah; Emmett Cooper of the Grand Bassa County Ministries Association, and Alopha A. W. Bah of the Grand Bassa County Journalist Association and the former County Health Officer, Grand Bassa County, Anthony Tucker.
Gongloe told the honorees that a society without integrity is continuously doomed and Liberia is no exception where politicians become humanitarians during election all because of votes.
“Acts of corruption is becoming more deliberate and for that, public servants are more focused on enriching themselves instead of seeing their positions as a means of rendering public service,” Gongloe noted.
“But, there should be no excuses given for anyone to commit acts of corruption therefore, if we want a better Liberia, let us all follow the indelible examples of Ft. Tikpor and so I am urging Liberians not to forget about their tomorrow because change is needed,” he stated.
“I am proud to be one of those students of Father Tikpor at St. Francis in Nimba County. His method of strength and discipline has made me what I am today and that, I will never forget,” he reflected.
Also, among other speakers during the program were MOJA’s founding Chairperson, Togba Nah Tipoteh; Finance and Development Planning Ministry’s former Minister, David Farhat, and George Klay Kieh, Dean of the Barbara Jordon Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas State University in the United States who recounted their relationships with the Catholic priest and his services to mankind over the years.
Tipoteh recounted how Ft. Tikpor places the interest of others above himself before his retirement from the priesthood indicating that Tikpor knows his faith well to the extent that his works has made impact within every county as well as internationally.
Saturday’s occasion marked the second time that Ft. Tikpor, 95 and a retired Roman Catholic Priest is being honored by his people for his relentless services rendered to humanity as Mr. Farhat thanked GRASS for naming the Justice, Peace and Leadership Award in honor of Ft. Tikpor.
Mr. Klay Kieh, who served as guest lecturer reminded Liberians to give the Catholic prelate his flowers while he is still alive because he was bold to speak the true words of God as well truth to powers during his active days of service to nation.