President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's visit and book promotional tour will not just stop in the United States, Canada and Europe will be next. Authors follow their books. Many of us continue to question why a visit at this juncture? The answer will enable us to understand the reason and be able to fairly critic the exercise.

Would President Sirleaf approve other government official’s one month pay vacation abroad? That is a question only she can answer. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf guest appearing on every Liberian news source and educational institution is the least on her vacation schedule? That is a question only she can answer.

I hope those who question why I am baffled by Ellen’s one month pay vacation/book tour can address the benefit to young Liberian girls and boys in Liberia. Or maybe they would agree with me that the thousands of miles traveled and over fifty speaking appearances in United States, Liberians should have equivalent engagement in Liberia. 

Ellen should take a month off in Liberia, appear on all news sources and visit all institutions and not just in or from Monrovia, explaining the rational and critical importance of education. If she does so, like her, Liberian children will be great.

President Sirleaf, like her predecessors should not coined Liberians as “EXTERNALITY,” what economist called a group not taken into account in establishing the market value or price of the materials concerned. Education is the key to success. But for Liberians, our educators keep our key to success. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected on an educated platform. Her administration will be the worst in Liberian history if she leaves Liberians education to the next administration.

Our President needs to execute a monumental administrative plan for Liberia clear and direct to all Liberians. Or else, at the end of her presidency, the population of Liberians will still be over 85% illiterate, one of the lowest in Africa and our one major interstate (Monrovia to Maryland highway) will not be paved. 

International Peace keepers will be in Liberia for the next ten years to provide security. Why? Liberia wouldn’t be fully ready for self security for the next ten years. Why? Our leaders, even the western- educated have never implemented intensive and immediate MASSIVE education (schools, colleges, health, police, agriculture, environment, and vocations) at the basic level during their administrations. These are the organs of a nation security.  

Ellen should also invest in the natural (forest, food, ocean, land, rivers, women, and children) and traditional (music, dance, weaving, carving, farming, literature, and art) human resources. These are naturally and widely available; and will empower the vast population, and provide jobs and skills along with western education. These are the back bones to economic prosperity.

Reconciliation lies at the depth of recognition. If we do not recognize our behavior, the process of reconciliation has no progress.  Ellen should set example to all the warlords that pay cut to fix the destruction in Liberia is a priority and not pay raise. African leaders assert tremendous power over their government and people. If President Sirleaf makes education the # 1 priority, Liberians will rally with her. If she delays it spending much of her administration abroad, she will be “The Iron Lady with NO Iron Children.”

I strongly believe, Madam President, you will do the right thing.

 

Won-Ldy Paye, a Liberian Artist, is an Award Winning Children’s Book Author. He lives in Hartford, Connecticut. He can be reached at wonldy@wonldypaye.com or www.wonldypaye.com.