As Liberia celebrates its election to the United Nations Security Council, many ordinary citizens are asking a simple and important question: What does this mean for us, the common people struggling with daily life in Liberia?
It’s a fair concern. In a country where unemployment is high, public services are weak, and poverty is widespread, global achievements can often feel distant or symbolic. But while the benefits may not be immediate or tangible like a bag of rice or a new job, Liberia’s seat on the Security Council holds real potential to impact the lives of ordinary people over time, if used wisely.
1. Greater Global Attention = More Support
When a country is on the Security Council, it gets more attention from the world. That attention can bring more development aid, more partnerships, and more investment opportunities. For the common man, this could translate into more projects in agriculture, education, health care, and job creation, the kind of things that actually change lives.
2. Voice for Peace and Stability
Liberia’s presence on the Council gives it a platform to talk about security threats in the region, things like terrorism, arms trafficking, and political instability that often spill over and affect ordinary people. By pushing for international support to address these threats, the government can help keep the region, and Liberia, safer. And peace is the foundation for development.
3. Leverage for Local Development Deals
With this global recognition, Liberia can negotiate better deals with partners and donors. For example, if the country champions climate change in the Security Council, it may attract more climate funding for farmers and communities battling rising sea levels, floods, or droughts. If it advocates for youth and women in post-conflict countries, that could bring new training programs, scholarships, or microfinance opportunities directly to Liberians.
4. A Chance to Fix the Narrative
Liberia has long been painted as a “post-war country.” Now, with this seat, the government has a chance to change that narrative, to show the world that Liberia is rebuilding, reforming, and ready to lead. That change in image can boost tourism, attract diaspora investment, and open new doors for Liberians abroad, from visas to scholarships.
5. National Pride and Unity
In a time when many Liberians feel frustrated with the state of the country, this win is a reminder that progress is possible. It’s a national achievement that belongs to all Liberians, not just the government. When the country wins, it creates a sense of pride, unity, and belief in the future, something every nation needs to keep moving forward.
Still, for these benefits to reach the average Liberian, the government must make deliberate efforts. It must translate diplomacy into development, use its platform to speak on real issues, and ensure that international attention brings results at home.
Otherwise, the seat will be just another title, with no rice on the table, no job at the corner, and no hope for the next generation.
The power is now in the hands of those in leadership to make this global opportunity meaningful for the market woman in Red Light, the farmer in Lofa, the student in Harper, and the motorcyclist in Gbarnga.
Liberia has the seat. Now it must show it knows how to use it, for everyone.
