|
| Africa Not Freed Yet Says Tipoteh On African Liberation Day |
| Published on May 28, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
|
By: Akoi Dakala
One of Liberia’s longstanding Politicians Dr. Togbanah Tipoteh says Africa is not yet liberated as widespread poverty continues to affect the lives of the people on the continent.
He spoke Monday at a ceremony organized by the Youth for Community Academic and Development Service in Liberia to commemorate the day of African Liberation, held in the St. Paul Bridge Community, outside Monrovia.
The veteran Liberian politician said the abject poverty that Africans continue to live with has chained them from total liberation. He challenged the continent’s leaders to do more in solving the problem, by joining efforts to unshackle the masses from the sting of poverty.
He said the high level of poverty on the continent of which Liberia is no exception comes from bad governance. “Our leaders have black color but with western minds and interest leaving human kind on the continent to continuously live in poverty”, he claimed.
The current poverty rate in Liberia is put at 68 percent of the 3.4 million people, according to the 2008 National Population and housing census. This suggests the out of every 100 persons, only 32 live above the dollar line.
Dr. Tipoteh also noted that said book-learning means nothing if those who are educated cannot solve some of the major problems that the continent is faced with, which are responsible for the backwardness of its citizens.
He said bad governance and tyrannical rules by leaders are other major factors keeping the continent from being liberated.
“Leaders are those that the people push to go up not and rulers are those that step on the people to see themselves in power,” Dr. Tipoteh outlined.
This situation, he said, is another popular issue on the continent that justifies that the continent is not free.
Hs said Liberia, after more than 100 years, Ghana more than 50 years, among others, of independence still have huge percentage of people still living in poverty, and this indicates that there is much to be done.
“We have lived under dishonesty for a very long time under our rulers and leaders on the continent and it is about time to set the record straight,” Dr. Tipoteh maintained.
Turning to Liberia in particular, Dr. Tipoteh said: “Liberia is at a critical point; foreigners are producing cold water, ice, clothes including furniture…”and wondered,” how the poor ones can improve their lives?”
The 2005 presidential aspirant noted that the leaders of the country must exert effort in fighting and championing the aspirations of its citizenry.
Dr. Tipoteh believes strongly that peace will not be restored fully on the continent of Africa if there is no fair treatment for all.
African Liberation Day is observed on May 25 of every year to observe the struggles that African countries suffered in achieving independence from western countries during the 50s up to the early 80s. akoison@yahoo.com
|
|
|
Announcements
|
No Announcement
|
|