It’s hard to be President

After 11 years in her two consecutive terms, President Ellen Johnson -Sirleaf has told citizens in the western county of Grand Cape Mount at the start of her county tour in the region that it is hard to be president, especially when you get insulted and yet remain under moral obligation to ignore certain things.

In her appreciation statement to Liberians for being peaceful over the past 11 years, Mrs. Sirleaf told a gathering at the Sinje Public School on Tuesday evening, 7 February that no individual, party, church or mosque can keep the peace, rather suggesting that it takes the effort of everyone to make it work in the country.

President Sirleaf said if the people had not done their part, her government would not have succeeded in keeping the peace, as she lauded them for their continuous prayers for the country in their churches, mosques, school or organizations.

In response to some citizens’ question to President Sirleaf regarding who she will leave with them when her term expires, she made it clear that it was not yet time campaign time to start naming a choice, telling the people that she was not calling name of whom the people should follow.

President Sirleaf said when the time comes to name her choice for the pending October presidential and representatives elections, she would go with her own car and not at the time she is using the people’s car.

But she urged Liberians to go through the registration process in preparation for the coming elections. President Sirleaf’s vice president Amb. Joseph NyumahBoakai is standing in the presidential race, and he has already been elected on white ballot by the ruling Unity Party which is seeking a third term.

President Sirleaf is on a three – day tour of western counties, starting at Grand Cape Mount on Tuesday to continue in Bomi and Gbarpolu Counties.

After dedicating a County Service Center in Grand Cape Mount County’s capital Roberts Sports on Tuesday, President Sirleaf later told citizens of the county who own properties to do some work on them, as she spoke against falling houses and falling roofs in the county capital.

She said while government considers constructing the road leading from Madina to Robertsports, the citizens also need to justify that construction of the road would in return bring economic benefit to government by ensuring that they put their houses in good conditions.

While challenging those in America who own properties in the county to come down and fix their places, President Sirleaf also urged Superintendent TennehKpadebah to call a citizen meeting and discuss with the people on how to fix their places as tourist would be attracted to the county once the road is built.

Many of those making comments including students, teachers, market women, traditional chiefs, motorcyclists and other locals commended the president for the level of tolerance, freedom of speech and peace the country enjoy under her regime.

A District Education Officer in Sinje Mr. MamuKolafaley praised President Sirleaf’s intervention on teachers’ welfare, recalling that he was earning L$600.00 prior to her administration; but teachers could now boast of salaries between L$8,000 to $9,000.00.

He also said text books were in all public schools, and that teachers were now acquiring further training to boost their capacities, among others.

Rural Women Vice President SandoDarffa wondered if Liberia will get another president like Mrs. Sirleaf that she said took women from the kitchen to become decision makers.

A representative of the Traditional Women Madam Jartu Sheriff expressed sorrow to hear that President Sirleaf’s term was expiring, asking Mrs. Sirleaf “who are you going to leave us with?” Disable Community representative Mr. MomoKiadii, a visually impaired man said he wanted cry whenever he heard that President Sirleaf was about to leave office; but noted that the disable community will pray with her for God’s help.

By Winston W. Parley-Editing by Othello B. Garblah