Liberian People’s Party (LPP) Presidential Candidate, Tiawan Saye Gongloe, says Liberians must jealously guard the peace that they are enjoying today, by doing everything to upholding the rule of law.
He said Liberians must not forget that their brothers and sisters from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) died in Liberia for them to have peace, stating that 17,000 United Nations Peacekeeping Force, comprising citizens from nearly all continents of the world, made great sacrifices in Liberia for peace.
Gongloe made these comments last night, during the first fundraising dinner of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP), held at the Bella Casa Hotel in Monrovia.
The ceremony brought together an array of dignitaries from both past and present regimes, including friends of numerous organizations in the country, of which the presidential candidate has been part of for years.
He noted that any action by a Liberian politician to promote violence is a display of ingratitude to the international community and a betrayal of Liberia, adding, “Liberian people should squarely reject any politician that undermines the peace and unity of Liberia.”
Gongloe pointed out that the presidency of Liberia is nobody’s exclusive entitlement or inheritance, therefore, no politician should use any means possible, especially if it causes people to get hurt or creates disunity.
According to him, it would be a sign of insensitivity and recklessness to disregard of pains and sufferings that Liberians have suffered over the years, indicating that LPP is a party of peace and unity and would never engage in political violence, no matter who provokes it.
“Our motto is unity and honesty for peace and progress. As the standard bearer of the LPP, I will be the first to condemn and call for the punishment of any member of the LPP that engages in violence. We believe in adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights,” Gongloe noted.
Before proceeding further with the program, a moment of silence was held to the memory of Amos Claudius Sawyer and John Tubu Karnweaye, former Chairman and Vice Chairman of the LPP as well as former Secretary General, Wuo Garbe Tappia, Wiwi Debbah, and all the other founding members of the LPP, and the over three hundred thousand Liberians who were killed during the 14 years of civil conflict in Liberia, who could not live to see this day.
For LPP’s persistence, consistency, and insistency in standing up for the people of
Liberia, many of its members were put in jail, left the country for exile due to threats to their lives, while others went underground in Liberia, and some were even killed.
About the upcoming elections, he said he and his running mate will find it easy to accomplish their mission, because both of them are known for respecting the rule of law, human rights, and not being corrupt.
Therefore, Gongloe went further that they will lead by example, urging all Liberians present last night to join the broom revolution, for a better Liberia is possible.
“We, members of the LPP, made great sacrifices for a better Liberia, a Liberia in which there would be no discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin, religion, creed, or region,” he said.
Gongloe noted they are prepared to die for a Liberia in which every Liberian will have equal rights before the law, with opportunities and privileges provided in Liberia, noting that they were prepared to die for a level playing field in Liberia for the holding of free, fair, transparent, and all-inclusive elections.
He said LPP cherishes and will continue to stand up for the principle of equal justice for all, that no Liberian is better than the other, and that all Liberians are one and must remain united as a people.
As President William R. Tolbert repeatedly said in the Kpelle language, Gongloe went forward that “Kukle Kuka Tonon” (We all are one people). “But because the Liberia we all dreamed of and have been fighting for has not become a reality, we say the struggle continues (Gweh feh kpeh).”
“We want to assure you tonight that with the election of Tiawan Saye Gongloe and Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, on October 10, 2023, with their very supportive wives, Liberians will begin to see and feel the unfolding of the Liberia that was dreamed of on July 26, 1847, he envisaged.
He said they are committed to the realization of this noble dream of the founding mothers and fathers of this great country, the Land Of Liberty, adding that Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania, and many other countries in Africa are ahead of us.
“We must not miss the opportunity that October 10 provides for changing the direction of Liberia towards the realization of the dream of our forefathers and mothers. We will begin on the path of the Liberia that was conceived on July 26, 1847,” Gongloe said.
In order to become effective in what they intend to achieve for Liberia, the former Minister of Labor said they will begin with strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption, because LPP’s 10 point agenda for a better Liberia summarizes our vision for a better Liberia.
“We are committed to providing free and compulsory quality education to all Liberian children, by giving them free access to all public schools and increasing subsidies to private schools, in order for them to keep their school fees low,” said the former President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA).
He is upbeat that they will provide free technical and vocational education in the fifteen counties of Liberia and eliminate illiteracy in two years, by giving stipends to students from the junior high level to the university level, in order for them to teach at least ten persons every day after school in their communities.
In the area of healthcare, their government intends to provide free healthcare for pregnant women, children under the age of five, and Liberians who have reached the age of 65, and will make government hospitals and clinics better than private ones.
“We will provide free technical and vocational education in the fifteen counties of Liberia and eliminate illiteracy in two years by giving stipends to students from the junior high level to the university level, in order for them to teach at least ten persons every day after school in their communities,” the former government prosecutor said.
On food security, Gongloe said they intend to improve food production by strengthening the Central Agricultural Institute (CARI), revive the Agricultural Cooperative and Development Bank (ACDB), improve agricultural extension services, and mechanize rice production in the fifteen counties by providing rice-producing machines to the farmers, through the farmers’ cooperatives.
Amongst other things, he named their backup plan to ensure the abundance of rice in Liberia; their regime will use the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), led by the Agricultural and Engineering Battalions, to produce not less than 100 acres of rice in each of the fifteen counties every year.
Gongloe said they intend to build more farms to market roads, keep the public highways constantly maintained, while they continue the pavement of roads throughout the country.
