Mr. President. The Scripture
teaches to “honor the king.” God commands us to “pray for those in authority.”
My Redeemer, Jesus Christ, instructs me to “be my brother’s keeper.” I wish you
nothing but the best, Your Excellency. The truth will set us free. All of us. Truth
initiates freedom.
George Manneh “Oppong” Weah. I wrote
you an Open Letter on January 18, 2018, while you awaited your historic inauguration
as President of the Republic of Liberia. I promised then that I would tell your
stories and accomplishments. What are you doing? What is there to report?
Mr.
President, I have been unable to keep the promise. I am one who has no patience
with foolishness. What I see happening in Liberia today is nothing short of
foolishness. The overall governance is ludicrous. The world is disappointed
with Liberia. I join a growing number of voices who hang our head in dismay day
after day.
Mr. President you can do better. I would love to keep my promise and
tell the world of your successes. We cast aside our gnawing doubts and were yet
optimistic that you would at least try hard. The people had so much confidence
that you, being one of them as they say, would deliver astronomically for them.
Sadly, outsiders and insiders watch and wait and wait and watch. We see hardly
anything. Nothing much of significance to discuss. Personally, I have absolutely no tolerance
for mediocrity. I cannot applaud what is seen as progress in Liberia today. There
are no good stories to tell. Mr. President, you can still salvage your good
name. A whole country is deteriorating under your watch. Fix it, please, Sir.
Mr. President. On your anniversary
every year, I will republish my “Open Letter of January 18, 2018” (and subsequent
prefaces) with the hope that the aura which welcomed that day would trigger
something in you. In my mind’s eye, I still see Roberts International Airport
(RIA) crowded with airplanes; private jets littered the runway. Promise was in
the air. Against all odds and defying logical analysis, people believed you could
make a difference. Your people believed you would do something great. Mr.
President, many people are disappointed. Many of us who wished you well are
disappointed in you. Contrary to what you are being told, countless number of
Liberians want you to succeed. You hold tightly in your grip something which is
dear to us, something irreplaceable. Our Liberia. You can still turn the
situation around.
George, I pray God Almighty
intervenes in your administration and give you wisdom, guidance, and courage. Liberia
will outlast every human being. Liberia will survive even this regime. What
will your legacy be? What do you want history to say of your rule? The History books
will not be written by your partisans. The world is a global village. The
villagers are diverse. Again, I ask you, "What will your legacy be?" You, who have been elevated by Almighty God to be called President of the Republic of Liberia. Think about this. ~Servant Hortense D. Grimes
OPEN
LETTER TO GEORGE
January
18, 2018
President
Elect
Republic
of Liberia
George M.
Weah, I am still very proud of what you have done. As your Inauguration
approaches, I couldn’t help but think of the tremendous work that is before
you. Hard task ahead is what you have. According to the Newspapers, you have
inherited a poor and broken down infrastructure of a country. The national News
is saying the nation is a broke government –that there is no money to begin
work on your first day –national coffers are empty. According to local news,
Liberian lawmakers earn on average $208K annually including extravagant perks. Such
a pay scale leaves no money for civil servants salary adjustment. The News
report that Recurrent Expenditure make up 80% of the Liberian National Budget, and the national budget is largely
dependent on foreign aid. Salaries of upper government officials and public
executives are excessive, plus fringe benefits. Liberian legislators earn more per
annum than the average US Senators and Representatives. How can this be? The
United States is a first world country, global World Leader and Superpower.
Liberia is a third world vastly undeveloped country, which depends largely on
the money and resources of the first world for its very budget and operation.
Most every dollar spent is borrowed money. Besides, competency level of the
Legislative branches of the two countries is not even a point for discussion. Case
closed.
Here is more
News, President Weah. You are inheriting a country poised for successful
continuance because of the solid foundation that has been laid. A country which
has come tremendously far in the last twelve years. It is indisputable your
predecessor has accomplished great national success, overall, and worked
assiduously to set Liberia on a firm footing. Build on the infrastructure that
will be delivered into your hand. The nation which you inherit today is
institutionally intact and functioning. From this point build Upward. Case
closed.
Bottom Line
Liberia. Start with reduction of high salaries for government positions. The
country is bleeding to death from this wound. The trimmings could jumpstart a
middle class. There begins a path to economic recovery. In nations everywhere
middle class drives economy. It is vital to have a functioning middle class
which, in turn, stimulates business and growth and fuels productivity.
President Weah, it might be time to implement strict austerity measures.
Slashing all unnecessary wasteful spending is one definite way to reverse the
money drain and fix the broke-ness. Get tough on the money trail. “Ain’t gon
work no other way.” The system is broken; repair it. Detect all the leaks, plug
them, and redirect the flow of cash.
Oppong, here’s
my experience. I was once elected president of my country. I had won in a
landslide victory. Just like you. The majority of people were tired, they
wanted change. They saw me as their hope. Just like you. The country had been
through many years of ethnic war and countless civil conflicts. My predecessor
had done significant work and had made huge improvements, but the system was
still not working much in the people’s interest. We remained the third poorest nation
in the world. International news media described our capital city as the
dirtiest capital in the entire world. We had an 89% illiteracy rate. Imagine in
today’s world that huge percentage of a country’s population not being able to
read or write. Ignorance was prevalent. Elaborate stealing “corruption” was the
staple fancy. We were that bad. There was poverty, disease, and chaos all
around.
Our young people were wasting away. All they wanted to do was talk
politics from morning to night. Often, meaningless discussions which agitate
them, and take them nowhere. They were too disillusioned to expect more for
their lives. I ran for President on the hopes of these young people. I was
sorry to see all the sufferings of the population. The one thing I hate with a
passion is abject poverty. I observed how systematically poverty had taken over
my people and my country and was sucking the life and zest out of them. I
believed I could make a difference so I ran for the highest office, the
presidency.
I won
election. The hope of the young population was at an all-time high. Here’s something
notable: When you become President you then discover the secret, that the job
is not easy. Being president of a country is not for small children: No, it is
not child’s play. This is superhuman work. The responsibilities are
overwhelming. Everybody's story becomes your headache. The problems were so
plenty, I didn’t know where to begin. But I started somewhere. I dived in with
full strength. George, my friend, let me tell you how I went about to change
the national direction of my once destitute country. Below is an excerpt from journal
entries in my HortenseInspiration HI Presidential Archive.
EXCERPT: “Two days
after being inaugurated, I ordered a 150-day Austerity Measure Rule. I declared
a five months Period of Autocracy. First order of business was governmental salary
trimming. I dictated a slashing of the Legislature salary to $7K monthly and
taxable, with not a single penny more. I dictated reduction and capped Public Office
executive salary at $10K monthly and taxable. No added perks whatsoever. I
dictated the establishment of communications blitz called Public Awareness
Media Campaign (“PAM campaign”) to involve and motivate the population. Numerous
PAM campaigns were tailored informing the citizenry that Government Job/Public
Service is not for amassing wealth. Citizens were encouraged to be creative,
productive and become rich from their own private enterprise.
The general
population was sternly warned that private stealing will bring public disgrace.
I dictated the Initiative of a line by line consideration of every operating
principle of Government. I dictated that The National Budget be overhauled and
stripped to bare necessities. I dictated the appointment of a Special Judicial Body
to investigate the massive allegations of corruption in every sector. Those
found guilty were disgraced for theft of public funds. Criminals of elaborate stealing
and fancy thieves, systemic corruption and other ill-mannered practices were
tried and prosecuted. Convicted felons were imprisoned and served their full
jail sentences; additionally, they were forced to repay stolen money back into
the national treasury. This was a major turning point in the country. It was absolutely
a defining shift in administering the national state of affairs.
During the Autocracy
Period, I ran the country with a council of advisors and the leanest of
governmental heads. I dictated strict stipulation that nothing accomplished
during this period could be overturned. There was no tolerance of citizen
uprising or violence. Freedom of speech continued, and was encouraged. But
nobody hardly was listening to plenty talk-talk. Empty rhetoric was sparse. The
people were shocked to see good results in the short time. A different
mentality was shaping. Pockets were beginning to feel heavier nationwide. Life
was breathing back into civil society. Serious-minded entrepreneurship was on
the rise.
Many of the lawmakers resigned because of the mandated salary cuts.
Several opted to remain in agricultural and farming businesses. Others ventured
into the transportation industry. Government officials resigned in large
numbers, many returning to private sector opportunities. At the beginning, my leadership
style appeared unconstitutional, but it quickly accomplished the goal. Business
was being done not as usual. Good change was evident. People became excited.
When the Autocracy
Period had elapsed, there was a new and fresh scented aura in the country. The World
saw the seriousness and dedicated efforts we were making collectively as a
nation. The Global Community took particular notice of the austerity measures and
respected the dawn of a new day in our country. Strategic Alliances acquiesced
to our collaboration on how our abundant minerals and natural products were
being plundered. That was the beginning of jointly working in national interest
with each party reaping maximum benefit. Ratified Agreements and Contracts made
sensible and firm demands of partnerships. The inclusion of our own technocrats,
industry experts, financial and legal expertise at the table in all negotiations
gave us the upper hand. Where necessary, PAM campaigns were used to inform and
solicit public input. Our natural resources, the breadbasket of the country,
were being traded fair on the global market by most accounts.
For the remainder
of my tenure in office, I focused on reforming the landscape of the nation and
transforming the livelihood of the people. There was an upward trajectory
materially and humanly. Hundreds of vocational training centers were built.
There was PAM campaigns about education, including adult literacy. The Public
Schools System was reinstituted nationwide. Hundreds of schools were
constructed and outfitted with laboratories and libraries. Several new
universities and a medical college were built with state-of-the-art technology.
Numerous modern hospitals and specialty clinics were constructed and equipped
world class. Two giant recycling centers for waste management were completed.
Several factories were built to process, treat and convert raw material. A
manufacturing plant was commissioned. Plans were being considered for a rail
system linking the counties. Domestic air travel commenced. Talks were underway
for purchasing a national aircraft for outbound international flights.
My personal
highlight of all was the roads. One of my campaign themes had been Roads,
Roads, Roads. There was a road network connecting every inch of land mass. Many
PAM campaigns were launched on the importance of building roads. Roads, Roads, Roads.
We spoke loudly that Roads bring development. Roads spur national unity. Roads
feed infrastructural delivery. The economy lives on the transportation grid of
any nation. People go where the Roads lead. Goods and services follow the
people wherever they go. And people build as far as where the Roads drive them.
Jobs are created whenever a building boom occurs. And it worked. Everywhere,
people were building, residential and commercial construction. All around were
Roads. Roads. Roads. We got the people moving about freely.
The money
trimmed from fiscal excesses was redirected to government initiatives. Hundreds
of millions of dollars had been salvaged. The citizenry had access to incentives
and stimulus packages designed to jumpstart the economy and trickle a middle
class. Messages were circulated widely in PAM campaigns that a Middle Class is
the life blood of any society. The country’s brain drain and huge population
residing in the Western Diaspora were offered lucrative sustaining enticements
to return home. They responded by the drove; bringing their knowledge,
expertise, experience, exposure and talent. And they understood that the rules
on the ground applied as well to them. Zero tolerance for nonsense from locals
or returnees; foreigners and legal residents alike. A bonus was the influx of
young men and women of Liberian heritage. Additionally, trained and skilled
international workforce and labor were imported to assist infrastructure
development alongside the highly skilled and professional nationals. My country
was restarted on a pathway that propelled it into 21st century,
giving a more realistic shot at climbing up from the bottom of third-world archaic
conditions to its rightful place among world nations. It was a tough challenge
and had taken strict discipline to change the crooked “business as usual”
mentality. It had taken a thick skinned mentality and tougher stance from the leader.”
–Hortense
D. Grimes
Mr. President,
you have to start somewhere. Quickly. And do something. Soon. For your own
legacy. Your employment began the day you were elected. There is no waiting
period with this job. Politics is ugly-dirty business. Human beings are
unpredictable. People in general are disloyal. The people have short attention span.
The people have short memory. The people have no patience. The people are quick
to change their mind about their hero. The people want everything for nothing.
The public can never be satisfied. That is why you must hurry up and do the
good things fast. In the long run, the public will only remember what you did
not do. But the History books will record facts. Prezzo, you have to be tough and
make sound and good decisions. My Prezzo, you have to be strict and flexible at
the same time. Strict on discipline. Flexible on order of priority depending on
the reality. You must be an action man for the people.
George “Oppong”
Weah, surround yourself with game changers. Indiscriminately, assemble the best
and the brightest minds. The loudest talkers are not necessarily the action
takers. The smooth operators are usually coward actors. Learn to be firm. Say
NO with straight face. Say YES to what you mean. Insist on saying THIS IS what
I said. Be focused in repeating THIS IS NOT what I asked. Be definite with your
agenda. Half of the people around you have their own agenda. Human nature being
what it is people wish it were them in that spotlight, more times than not.
Blind envy and much jealousy come with your new territory. You are now forever
etched in history as a President of the Republic of Liberia, the highest office
in the Land. Your stage is set among distinguished leaders of countries all
over the world. Doors automatically open to give you access. You definitely
have earned yourself more and fierce enemies. Discern. Discern. Discern.
George. In
your past professional career you became very rich by self-made wealth. Now you
have acquired power. And the authority that comes with your Office. Honor the
calling. It is often very lonely at the top. Not too many can go with you all
the way. Know that. Yours is a rag to riches story; by sheer tenacity and
audacity, the boy from Clara Town is the man who now lives in the Executive
Mansion. Remember your Grandmother and the lessons and training she instilled.
You are in a class amongst a distinct cadre of political miracles of this
modern era. You are in the leagues of the Barack Obamas of this world—the one
least likely to be who has become! Indeed, Mr. President, it comes with its own
migraines. Know your space. Guard your boundaries, socially and professionally.
Have your own mind and follow your inner GPS, your conscience, guided by Godly
wisdom, prayer and faith.
My friend, we
might not get to meet. I’ve since left the world of politics. After serving two
terms in office I returned to my life’s calling and passion: Ministering the message
of Jesus Christ and writing and speaking about the love and grace of Almighty
God. I had stepped away those eight years to satisfy a civic responsibility. I
had only wanted to straighten things out and chart a new course for my people.
Today, my country is the envy of our neighbors. The whole world admire us. The
superpower countries respect our little country. We are now the number one
prosperous nation in all of Africa.
You, too, can make your country rise again.
Timing is everything. You’ve been given this your time. With God everything is
possible. Nothing is impossible with God Almighty by your side. And your
determination to do good. Good will knock out and outshine evil any day every
day! Good always triumph. God is good. And God is good all the time. Congratulations,
President George Manneh “Oppong” Tawlon Ousman Weah.
Oh by the
way, Your Excellency, there is one element I did not mention: My presidency is a
hypothetical scenario.
Hail to The
Chief. May God Almighty give you victory. You will succeed in this work. Maybe
you are called to the task for such a time as this in Liberia. Do your part
well. Build everyday a stellar reputation for leadership. Leave behind a legacy
worthy of respect and emulating by future generations. We, your people, wish
you and your team nothing but the best. We lend our helping hand and various
support. It is in our interest to wish you well.
My personal
contribution during your time in office is to help brand you to the world. I
will follow your Executive work and tell your stories and accomplishments in
narratives that describe your heart and spirit to build a better life for your
people. I am counting on you to perform and do your outmost best. At least, let
it be said of you that you did an excellent job trying to lift your people up.
Let it be said at the end of your reign that you certainly did contribute…CDC. My
friend, work tremendously hard, and work smart, to relieve the plight of the
masses of poor people under your rule.
George, enjoy
your Inauguration. I will write you again on the eve of your second term. God
speed, President Weah. Blessings!
Svrt. Hortense Duarma Grimes
Servant of the Living God
Founder, DO IT FOR CHRIST Ministries
(Preface to Repost 2019 Open Letter) President
George Weah. I have followed events unfolding under your watch as Head of State
of the Republic of Liberia. It is disheartening. You are the chief executive of
the country. You owe yourself to your people. Hear their voices. Pacify their
emotions. Rise above the carnal nature. I am resending my open letter of
January 18, 2018, about 18 months ago.
George. You must hear the people. You
must deliver for the people. Anyone who wishes you well would advise that you act
in the interest of your people and listen to their painful cries. Anyone
telling you otherwise does not believe in your ability to govern. Do not allow
yourself to be set up for failure. Listen to the cries of the Liberian masses. Deliver
in the best interest of the people. Listen and Hear. God bless Liberia. ~Servant Hortense D. Grimes
About The Author. Hortense
Duarma Grimes is an anointed servant of the Living God. She is the Founder of DO
IT FOR CHRIST Ministries, an outreach for spiritual rehabilitation, prayer and
evangelism. A dynamic faith-based motivator and prolific writer, Servant Hortense
is the lone creative talent of HortenseInspiration, a media brand extension of
her ministry. An ardent visionary for all things Africa, Ms. Grimes is dreambearer
and dreamcarrier of her brainchild project, Solace Africa. Born and raised in
Liberia, West Africa, Hortense immigrated to the United States over thirty plus
years ago. She currently serves Almighty God as a missionary for Jesus,
following an amazing divine encounter with the Lord in 1999. Servant Hortense
is working assiduously to establish the Vision of DO IT FOR CHRIST, which is to
construct Spiritual Rehabilitation Campuses in the four corners of Africa, with
the Flagship to be built in Monrovia, Liberia. Through HortenseInspiration,
Servant Hortense frequently produces literary content directed at shifting
mentality on the African continent.
