By Patrick N. Tokpah
The founder of Social Movement for Change (SM4C), Sara Beysolow Nyanti, drove a bulldozer on Wednesday to break grounds for a 19-mile road in Garmue, Panta District, Bong County situated near the Liberian-Guinean border.
Residents of the 32 towns and villages and their Guinean neighbors raised around US$20, 000 for the ‘Unity Road Project,’ dubbed “Panta Pride.’’
Currently there are signs with residents’ names in scripted and the contributions each community member made planted along the 19-mile stretch that was primarily used as footpath for citizens from Guinea and Liberian who commute that route.
Beysolow Nyanti who is the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in South Sudan also served as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan.
She cited the road project as an example of how empowered citizens can take charge of their own development instead of always depending on government and donors adding, “If you can build a road, you can build a bridge; if you can build a bridge, you can build an entire nation,’’
She told the nearly 4,000 people who gathered in Garmue to celebrate the ceremony of the Panta-Guinea Border project that, “If you want development and you have your money in it, you will protect it.’’
Beysolow Nyanti said when Karmue first told her about the project, she was excited because it is in line with the SM4C model that she has been advocating since 2015 as the model for development of Liberia and other least developed countries.
Social Movement for Change is birthed from the idea that residents from impoverished communities can develop their own communities and this model was used to work with residents in the Brewerville and Banjor Communities to build wells, learning huts to provide counseling and educational support for adolescent girls.
The model has led to the construction of two learning huts that hired female teachers and female social worker with change agents in Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Cape Mount and Bong Counties.
She reminded them that it is not the primary responsibility of government alone rather, citizens must be at the table to plan for the development of their communities noting, “When people know their responsibilities, their rights and what it means to be a good citizen, they will love Liberia more.”
Beysolow Nyanti said rights come with responsibilities and nobody else should be expected to develop Liberia, “Liberians must develop Liberia.”
“We must realize that we have the power in ourselves to change our lives,’’ she said adding, “If you are empowered with knowledge and skills, nobody can take what you know from you. It is the power that you have within yourself, the power to take action, the power to overcome the actions and inactions of others, and the power that you have with others in partnership.’’
She lauded the people of Panta for setting an example for the rest of the country on what happens when citizens take responsibility for their own development emphasizing, that Panta’s Pride is Liberia’s pride and that Liberia will learn from Panta pointing out, “This is the model for development.”
Beysolow Nyanti who is in Liberia on medical leave and celebrating her birthday at home said that she kept the commitment to the people of Panta because of how much she believes in this community-led development approach stating that Liberia’s rising will happen and that “It is not just a dream but a vision that I have seen as clearly as I see you all here today.”
The Executive Director of Save More Kids, Quanuquanei Karmue and a son of Panta District said he mobilized the residents to donate $1 each and he would match it by $2 and that the residents eagerly embraced the idea because they wanted a stake in their communities explaining that residents even agreed to break down their houses to make way for the road.
Karmue said he told the residents of Panta District that he invited Beysolow Nyanti because of her experience in nation building in places such as Nigeria, Gambia, Nepal and South Sudan; informing her, “We wanted to acknowledge your work around the world because we strongly believe that Liberia also needs your expertise.’’
Karmue, who lives in America, said he began working in Panta when his family adopted 44 children in the district after the civil war. He expanded his support in the village during the COVID-19 crisis, providing food and other resources to residents.
His engagement with Panta ‘s children also inspired him to create the organization called Save More Kids Inc., where he serves as Executive Director.
Karmue thanked Al Fasola who leads the fundraising in the United States to help with the matching funds for all of the projects.
When Liberia experienced a rice shortage last year, Karmue got citizens involved in planting rice and built a rice bank to store rice to feed the community.
His goal is to strengthen food security in the area, to reduce reliance on imported rice. He also provided a rice processing machine and plans to build an agriculture and nursing school in the area.
When the road is complete, he plans to work with the community to build a toll bridge at the Liberia-Guinean border, where people have drowned crossing the water. “A pregnant woman lost her baby while trying to cross the border,” one resident said.
“We believe that citizens are the most valuable assets in Liberia,’’ he said. “I have been telling the people to be a part of their own development.’’
At the ground breaking ceremony held on April 5, 2023 in Garmue Town, Panta District 4, Bong County, Edison P. Flomo who lived in Panta all his life said this is the first time that citizens have joined together to develop the district.
“We are very proud that we can give back to our community,’’ he said.
Madam Towhan Owoah, a native of Panta, said she feels empowered because she is part of developing the district. “We were born here, so it is our responsibility to develop our community,’’ she said.
Alpha Sheriff, a Guinean cab driver who runs between the Liberian-Guinean border, donated L$20,000 to the project. He said the new road will be good for motorists and strengthen trade and business in the area.
