Kouyateh: Liberia’s Natural Wealth Must Benefit Its People, Not Powerful Few
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
Liberian statesman and senior diplomat, Sheikh Amb. Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, has called for greater accountability in the management of Liberia’s natural resources, saying the country’s wealth must translate into better living conditions for ordinary citizens.
Amb. Kouyateh, an entrepreneur and Pan-African advocate, also criticised what he described as the excessive focus on the 2029 elections while many Liberians are struggling with hunger, education costs and other economic challenges.
He said political leaders should prioritise the immediate needs of citizens rather than asking them to wait for another election cycle before expecting meaningful change.
“For God’s sake, we are in 2026, not 2029,” Mr Kouyateh said, questioning why political discussions were increasingly centred on an election that is still years away.
He said the situation required urgent action because many Liberians were already struggling to meet their basic needs.
“Do you know how many Liberians will starve, suffer or die before we get there if we keep pretending people can live on promises?” he asked.
Mr Kouyateh also criticised successive political parties for what he described as their failure to ensure that Liberia’s natural resources benefit the wider population.
He questioned the impact of concession agreements involving the country’s natural resources, arguing that the people should see tangible benefits from the wealth beneath their land.
According to him, Liberia is endowed with land and natural resources and has a relatively small population that can contribute significantly to economic growth.
“Liberia is a graceful country. We have land. We have resources. We have a small and productive population,” he said.
Despite these advantages, he said, Liberia remains one of the world’s poorest countries, blaming the situation partly on poor leadership and the alleged misuse of public resources.
Mr Kouyateh said leadership should be measured by accountability, empowerment and development rather than political speeches and election promises.
“Leadership is not talk. Leadership is responsibility,” he said.
He also expressed concern about political divisions in the country, asking why leaders would continue to focus on campaigns when citizens were struggling to feed their families and educate their children.
Amb. Kouyateh said politics should serve as a means of improving citizens’ lives, rather than becoming a tool for division and distraction.
He urged Liberians to demand greater accountability from those in government and ensure that national resources are managed in the interest of the people.
He also questioned whether the benefits promised by political leaders would materialise simply through a change of government.
“What is the guarantee that we will even make it to 2029, when the majority are living on expectations, not prosperity?” he asked.
Amb. Kouyateh urged Liberians to become more demanding of their leaders and to insist on policies that address poverty, create opportunities and promote national development.
“Arise, Liberians. Enough is enough,” he said.
