IPNEWS-Minnesota, USA: Patience Blay Attoh, a leading figure in the Liberian diaspora and Assistant Executive Director of the Liberian Ministers’ Association in Minnesota, has condemned the rampant selfishness and power struggles among Liberia’s lawmakers, which she argues are stalling the country’s progress and deepening the suffering of its citizens.
Attoh, a pastor and staunch advocate for the well-being of ordinary Liberians, issued a stark plea for the country’s leaders to shift their focus from personal power battles to the urgent needs of the nation. “The ongoing infighting in the Legislature is not only distracting but actively hindering Liberia’s development,” she said. “While our people face real crises in healthcare, education, and economic stability, the lawmakers are busy fighting among themselves over their own ambitions.”
Attoh’s comments come as Liberia grapples with severe challenges in essential sectors, particularly healthcare and education. According to the World Health Organization, Liberia’s healthcare system is drastically underfunded and understaffed, with health facilities only operating at 59% capacity nationwide. The country’s health workforce is also severely under-resourced, with only 11.8 health workers per 10,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommended 23 per 10,000. This shortage has contributed to critical disparities in maternal and child health services.
“Instead of focusing on securing better healthcare for all Liberians, lawmakers are consumed by their own selfish pursuits,” Attoh emphasized. “While they bicker over personal interests, the people’s health continues to deteriorate, particularly in the most underserved regions.”
The healthcare crisis is further exacerbated by protests from Liberia’s health professionals over an unjustifiable salary policy. A controversial USD $50 salary top-up has sparked anger among health workers, who argue that it not only violates existing salary policies but also deepens pay disparities. The workers have threatened a nationwide strike unless their demands for fair compensation are met.
“The government’s treatment of our healthcare workers is disgraceful,” Attoh said. “The top-up is an insult to those who put their lives on the line for the well-being of the nation. Leaders must address these issues, or they risk a full collapse of the health sector.”
The education sector is also in a dire state, with Liberia’s literacy rates among the lowest in the world. A recent United Nations report reveals that 15-20% of children aged 6-14 are out of school, and only 54% of students complete primary education. Additionally, many of the country’s teachers are unqualified, leaving students without the quality education they need to break the cycle of poverty.
“These statistics are devastating,” Attoh stated. “How can we expect Liberia to thrive if our children are denied a proper education? How can we empower future generations when they are taught by underqualified teachers in crumbling schools?”
Attoh’s remarks echo the frustrations of many Liberians, both at home and abroad, who see their country’s potential squandered by leaders more interested in power than in the well-being of their people. Liberia ranks a dismal 177th out of 193 countries on the 2022 Human Development Index, trailing behind many African nations in critical areas such as life expectancy, education, and overall quality of life.
Despite some international efforts to rebuild schools and train teachers, Attoh insists that the government must prioritize the needs of the people. She argued that Liberia’s future hinges on leaders who are willing to put the interests of the citizens first, rather than using political power for personal gain.
“We cannot afford to let personal power struggles dominate the agenda any longer,” Attoh concluded. “It is time for the Liberian government to set aside its selfish interests and focus on real solutions to the pressing issues—healthcare, education, and economic opportunity—that will benefit the people. This is what true leadership looks like.”
Attoh’s call for change is a reminder that Liberia’s recovery from its turbulent past will only succeed when its leaders prioritize the welfare of the people over their own ambitions. The country’s future depends on it.
