MONROVIA, OCTOBER 8, 2024 – Renowned human rights lawyer and former Solicitor General of Liberia, Cllr. Taiwan Saye Gongloe, has publicly expressed his views on the current state of governance under the nearly nine-month-old Unity Party administration led by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Speaking on RealTV/TruthFM on Monday, October 7, 2024, Cllr. Gongloe emphasized the need for renewal within government leadership, advocating for the appointment of fresh faces over the recycling of familiar, often ineffective, officials.
Gongloe, who also served as Labor Minister, believes the government should prioritize empowering ambitious and competent young people, fostering new ideas, energy, and integrity. “Government should be a domain where competent and ambitious young people step forward to serve, rather than a place that continuously recycles the same corrupt, ineffective politicians. It’s about fostering new ideas, energy, and integrity instead of perpetuating the broken systems of the past. True leadership demands renewal, not stagnation,” he asserted.
According to Gongloe, during a conversation with President Boakai, he advised the president to appoint new faces in his cabinet, suggesting that this would inspire hope and promote hard work within government ranks. “I told President Boakai, ‘You are an older person. Bring new people into your government as ministers. Try to build a new set of leaders for Liberia. Don’t bring old ministers. It will not give you hope.’ I said that in the presence of the vice president and my former running mate.”
Gongloe added that by promoting individuals who had served as deputy ministers or assistant ministers in previous administrations, such as under former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah, it would send a strong message that hard work leads to promotion and growth. “We must motivate others by showing them that if they work hard, they will move up. Don’t bring back the same old faces because it stifles progress,” he emphasized.
In an unexpected turn, President Boakai offered Gongloe the position of Minister of Justice, but the human rights lawyer declined, citing his own principles. “The president offered me the position of Minister of Justice, but I said no. I believe in creating new leaders and growing people. Myself, I’m old, and I’m not going to make an exception for myself. That would be selfish and inconsistent.”
Gongloe further explained that his refusal was based on his belief in the continuous growth of leadership within the country. “There are a lot of people in this country, and there should be a flow instead of a stop. When others leave, new people should come in,” he added.
He also reiterated his anti-corruption stance, symbolized by his ever-present broom, which he said he carries everywhere to raise awareness about the fight against corruption in Liberia. “The broom is a symbol of my determination to sweep corruption from the government of Liberia. It’s the only impediment to our development,” Gongloe remarked.
Reflecting on his tenure in public service, Gongloe highlighted his legacy of nurturing new leaders, including his former students in human rights law who have now established a Media Law Network to defend journalists and media practitioners. “I believe in creating new leaders. The most important one I developed now is the Media Law Network, established by 12 of my former students in human rights law.”
As Liberia moves forward under President Boakai’s leadership, Gongloe’s call for new blood in governance continues to resonate, emphasizing the importance of renewal in the fight against corruption and for sustainable development in the country.
