It appears quite glaring that the ugly acts of tribalism, nepotism, sectionalism and favoritism are beginning to reappear on the political stage in rainbow colors.
In time past, these acts used to be called “who Knows You;” something which undermined good governance and placed a larger portion of the national cake in the hands a few whom the system favored.
The “who knows you” culture created class system and denied the vast majority the opportunity to share the national cake.
The “Who Knows You” system was an informal, but powerful way of getting jobs, favors, contracts, or opportunities based on personal connections instead of qualifications.
In simple terms, it was not about what you know. It was about who knows you.
Back in the days, especially before and after the civil war period, many people could not access jobs or government opportunities unless someone ‘important’ is personally connected to them, or via the other things was related to them; came from the same town or clan, belonged to the same church or political group, or could vouch for them.
So, if you went for a job interview, sometimes the real question behind the scenes was not your CV… it was:
“Who knows this person?”
If no one ‘powerful’ could answer that question? You might not get the job.
Sadly, talented people were overlooked while national development was slowed down.
This system seems to raise its ugly head once, although Liberians today push for:
merit-based hiring, transparency, equal opportunity, institutional reform, especially with increased education and international partnerships.
We Detest the emergence of the “Who Knows You System,” and hope the government will try to curb as soon as possible.
In Liberia, there’s deep division more than before relative to tribal division, political division, religious division and cultural division; something which continue to undermine the spirit of national unity and brotherhood.
The best way to national growth is merit system.
