A former statesman, Dr. Ranney Jackson Sr., says Liberia needs a leadership that will champion the interest of the people in the country.
“The leadership of the country should focus its attention to what they are mandated by the people to do,” Dr. Jackson said.
He made the comment during an exclusive interview with the Hot Pepper over the weekend via cellphone in Monrovia.
Even though Dr. Jackson did not mention which leadership or government is he referring to, he noted that one of the major problems confronting Liberia’s growth and development has been leadership.
According to him, way out in the forward march of Liberia is the decentralization of local governance across the country.
Dr. Jackson, who holds a Ph.D. in local governance management and sustainable community, mentioned that the major problems confronting Liberia’s development have always been development sustainability. He said, for example, government ‘A’ would come and embark on major developments, but after it leaves power that project is left abandoned by the in-coming leadership of the country. he said the this is one of the factors contributing to the country’s backwardness.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Jackson said he wants the Government of Liberia (GOL) to embark on the decentralization of local governance in the country.
He said he believes that the reason people shift blame on the presidency in Liberia is because all powers and responsibilities are given to the office of the presidency.
As a veteran in local governance management and sustainable community, Dr. Jackson recommended that the Government of Liberia (GOL) prioritizes the election of local government officials in Liberia.
He said if this is done, the public will no longer shift blame only on the presidency but also on the local government officials who were voted for by the people.
He said local governance brings efficiency, transparency and good results to the governance structure.
For example, he said Ghana is moving forward because of the shared responsibilities through local governance structure.
“How can one person take the responsibility of every sector in a given country? The citizenry will always complain,” he said. “If local government officials are voted for, Liberia will take shape.”
Dr. Jackson expressed his willingness to help the Government of Liberia (GOL) with knowledge in local governance structure.