Africa-Press – Liberia. A former Presidential Candidate and leader of the Vision for Liberia Transformation Party, Dr. Jeremiah Whapoe, accuses Liberia’s 177th Independence Day Orator, Dr. Pailey, of engaging in a blame game against the United States of America.
Vision for Liberia Transformation Party (VOLT) political leader Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe says Liberia’s 177th Independence Day oration delivered Friday, July 26, 2024, by Dr. Robtel Nejail Pailey was partially labeled, emotionally undiplomatic and underdevelopment blame-game against the United States.
Speaking in an exclusive with The NEW DAWN here, Dr. Whapoe said that the orator’s speech was very undiplomatic and had the potential to ignite a flame in Liberia’s current relationship with the United States and destroy President Joseph N. Boakai’s embryonic democracy.
According to Dr. Whapoe, foreign policy in the diplomatic space is all about self-interest. It has to do with a country pushing its agenda and accepting what is appropriate. Therefore, Liberia, as an independent country, should understand that and exercise it.
He said Liberia claims to be an independent country that has existed since 1847. As such, it has the sovereignty to make its own decisions and stand with and by it.
“If Liberia is an independent nation as claimed, I just don’t know why the orator should be blaming America for Liberia’s underdevelopment and failure. If Liberia gained independence in 1847 and is still blaming America, let’s agree that we are not independent and are submitting ourselves to colonization, which, of course, I don’t think you and I are prepared for. Liberians should think beyond the blame game and foster development for ourselves”, the VOLT leader said.
The two times defeated Presidential candidate argued that it’s not America that says Liberians should be corrupt, and if Liberians blame America for Liberia’s underdevelopment, then they should also admit that our leaders are corrupt and America is a country that doesn’t support corruption.
He indicated that he stands with America, and historically, America has done and continues to do a lot for Liberia. However, Liberia is exercising extrinsic motivation instead of intrinsic motivation because extrinsic motivation blames people.
“All Liberia should do is create the right policies. Put it down and see if America will not go for it. What Liberians need to do to put this country together should be the concern instead of shifting blame. If we can fight corruption internally, let’s do it so we can be taken seriously. People who steal and corrupt us are the people we continue to elect and celebrate,” he stated.
Dr. Whapoe suggested that Liberia should be thinking about creating a prescription developmental corporate social responsibility plan for multinational corporations that are in the country and operating, adding that it will help to develop the country hastily.
“This is about understanding Liberia’s situation from the context in which it exists. We need not blame anybody, so I think the orator is behaving like a child who has reached eighteen years old and still wants to live with her father at home. Liberia is not a kid, and we can’t be. We are independent, and if America will deal with us, it has to be on mutual respect and shared benefit”, he concluded.
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