Senator Amara Konneh Writes:

What would Dr. Edward Binyah Kessely, founder of the Unity Party, say to his party today?

By Senator Amara Konneh

The answer can be found in his book, ‘Liberia Today & Tomorrow: Some Personal Reflections.’

1. He would probably share his insights on Liberia’s historical struggles (old Liberia vs. new Liberia) and leadership challenges. He would commend President Boakai for maintaining stability and fundamental rights, and for not targeting the opposition, as Dr. Kessely and other politicians of his era experienced in the 1980s.
   Dr. Kessely would be pleased to see his party in power after winning a very close election through a strong coalition, and he would share his experience in maintaining political alliances through the lens of the Grand Coalition of the UP, LAP, and LUP back in the 1980s. He would remind his party how their main opposition (CDC) ignored members of its winning coalition and those who helped them win in 2017, which contributed to their 2023 loss.
2. He would also remind his party how exclusion and political marginalization of others fostered bad governance and corruption during his time, widening the inequality gaps between political elites, technocrats, residents of slums and ghost towns, and many underprivileged citizens. He would make hopeful calls for good governance, responsible citizenship, national unity, and development—showing deep concern for the country’s future and its unemployed youth amid ongoing challenges.
3. He would urge President Boakai to focus more on the economy and job creation for Liberians, likely highlighting his recent foreign policy successes with Liberia’s traditional partner, the U.S. He probably would advise him to embrace regional diplomacy more, especially with his three neighbors.
   He might have attended recent events of other political parties in the UP’s governing coalition. He would expect those parties to join the UP’s event today and deliver messages to the nation.
4. Dr. Kessely would probably urge integrity, respect for the code of conduct during party rallies, and a collective effort towards progress and constructive change. He would warn of a vicious cycle of political governance where those in power repeat the mistakes of their predecessors.
5. Finally, Dr. Kessely would encourage Liberians (both at home and abroad) to foster genuine love for their country, avoid corrupt practices in governance, promote unity, and actively participate in building a better nation.

Congratulations to the ruling party on a strong showing in headcounts today, as it enters the midterm of its six-year term, akin to the CDC’s rallies when it was in power. I hope we can all get back to governance—hopefully better governance—beginning Monday and show the same or more progress in socioeconomic indicators and statistics, and in the number of families who are not struggling to meet their basic needs: the “bread and butter!”