‘Politics Is Not Insult’

The Minister of information Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Ledgerhood J. Rennie, is calling on leaders of political parties to desist from insulting each other in order to get their points across.

Rather, he said the culture of insult in Liberian politics has brought nothing but division among Liberians. Minister Rennie is specifically responding to the former Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai who referred to President George Weah as an entertainer and a change betrayed who is living in mass wealth while his people suffer. 

“It breaks my heart when I listen to the former Vice President Boakai, a man of great respect,” Minister Rennie said. “The way he spoke about President Weah, I said to myself aay mehn, ley papay going down that line too?”

Mr. Boakai, at the official ceremony in which he took the helm of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), openly referred to President Weah as an ‘Entertainer and a Change Betrayer’, who is living in mass wealth while his people suffer. 

“Liberia burns and people die but he entertains his guests at lavish undertakings, while illiteracy and drugs maim our children. He builds lavish and luxury homes in 1 year while his party takes the lifetime of his regime to finish a vocational training center on its party premise -- a change betrayed,” Boakai said.

“It is often said: Don't give boys men’s job to do. While Rome burns the boy burns, the boy King encourages the building of statues and monuments in his name while he is alive. Demand that his followers worship him. Exudes an unrealistic lifestyle, while poverty consumes our people in the dirtiest city in Africa. Malnutrition rages while he plays music and dances to musical cheers,” Mr. Boakai added.

The Minister made the call on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at the ministry’s regular press brief in Monrovia. 

According to Minister Rennie Mr. Boakai must rise above the fray, disregard the politics of insults, and make his case to Liberians in a way that is respectful of the presidency of the country, which he seeks. “President Weah is his younger brother -- no doubt about it -- but he's the President of the Republic of Liberia, representing the symbols of our presidency,” he added.

“Who, then, will be the example for the young people to follow to disagree politically? It does not mean we should throw insults at one another,” the MICAT Minister added.

I was coming to the press conference and somebody said, ‘I know you are going to deal with the old man today’. I said no, because then it becomes an insulting battle. We insult, he insults the president and then we insult him back and his party insults us back and what comes out of it? Nothing. Then the whole country gets divided; everybody insults each other because we believe that's politicking. No, I will disappoint you. I am not going to insult anybody but I will speak to the moral conscience of individuals, especially the leaders of our country,” he added. 

Minister Rennie added that political parties’ heads should make a declaration to disengage from insulting one another and leave out the ticks on personality. “Let our political leaders make a declaration that going forward, they will debate about the issues and leave out the insults and name-calling because it doesn't add anything to the debate.”