WELCOMING OUR COMPATRIOTS FROM GHANA

HAVING BEEN BULLIED and scourged by government-commissioned operatives in Ghana , a couple of our compatriots were torpedoed back from Liberia which they had flown for dear lives. For those of us who don't have the eye of secret service agents, our curiosity has ended where the returning refugees dispersed to wherever they regard home on the native land. They would, in the next few weeks, before they adapt to radically changed home environment, eke out a living. What do you expect of Liberians forcefully repatriated, even without time to park out of a locality where they had sojourned for several years!

AND HERE, AT home, they have arrived. Living conditions are far unpromising. Of all, the economic environment is asphyxiating. Essential commodities are untouchable in the city, let alone the hinterland. These unbearable national conditions are incrementally being worsened by mass rural-to-urban migration since the vast countryside is virtually lifeless, without substantive commercial or economic activities taking place. Those who cannot cope have taken to violent crimes as a means of survival. Many others have already perished from the harsh economic realities.

WE UNDERSTAND OUR compatriots, probably having presaged these conditions at home, craved for resettlement abroad or repatriation to Liberia with at least a US$1,000. Their demands were not only slighted and snubbed rather their peaceful demands were considered unlawful and criminal by both the host country and their own Liberian government that the host country inflicted physical and psychological injuries on their persons and properties.

MANY OF THOSE who, no doubt, have joined the bandwagon of eking out a living, had thought their that their demands for resettlement abroad would have helped them prepare themselves for the unbearable living condition in their native land before returning. They had also thought that the little purse of US$1,000 would give them a foothold on the economically hostile native land before they begin adapting. None of these requests were granted, except to pay the price of summary deportation.

WE SOLEMNLY EXTEND our sympathy our returning compatriots, those victims of inter-governmental conspiracy. We heartedly welcome them. We welcome them to the once Sweet Land of Liberty, turned into Bitter Land of Conflict. Though some of those who facilitated the social, economic and political metamorphosis are currently in charge of the political bureaucracy, life is still hard and the land is still bitter. Though revenues are reported spiraling, poverty is still raging. The few rich are getting richer and the impoverished majority are getting poorer. Living in Liberia , like sitting by the hearth, is a matter of unusual fortitude.

WELCOMING OUR COMPATRIOTS back home, we first do so by urging them to regain their emotions, and see and treat their ordeal as part of life's intricacies. We Liberians are Godlike people. Revenge is not our part. We pray for those who curse us. Therefore, we are hopeful that our returning compatriots would turn their affliction into opportunity. Retribution is not theirs. They should beat their swords into ploughshare. Secondly, we call on them to join the struggle for survival. Shrinking and going shortcut through violent or criminal means is not the way. Creativity and nationalism are the way forward. Indeed, we welcome you all, and even those who may follow in similar fashion.