By Ian Yhap
Barely a week after the nation lost Hon. Sylvester Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, and before we have even come to terms with his passing, political jockeying for his replacement has already begun. On August 13, 2025, a Unity Party official took to Facebook to champion a former Senator as the “ideal candidate” for the role. The post reads like a resume—long on legislative experience, strategic networking, and political navigation skills—but short on the one qualification Liberia desperately needs: an unshakable, proven love for the country.
In such a powerful position, where influence stretches into every corner of government policy, the most critical qualification should be a proven record of putting Liberia first—above political gamesmanship, personal enrichment, or party loyalty. The Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs does more than coordinate government business; it sits at the heart of decision-making that affects concession agreements, energy policy, national security, food production, healthcare, and every other pillar of the nation’s well-being.
A Position Without a Visionary Anchor
The absence of a Ministry of Planning—or any true planning arm in government—has left Liberia in a dangerous position: visionless. Without a coherent national development blueprint, the country operates on fragmented, short-term plans (which are mostly non-Liberian, NGO driven – or even investor driven), that pull in different directions. Ministries may chase their own priorities without aligning to a national strategy, weakening our ability to work toward a common goal.
Any candidate for this role should not only be a skilled political operator but a visionary custodian, able to counsel the President toward decisions grounded in the country’s long-term interest. They must be capable of negotiating with foreign governments, international organizations, and multinational corporations in ways that uphold Liberia’s sovereignty and protect its future.
Political Skill Is Not Enough
The Unity Party official’s post leans heavily on the value of political experience—implying that decades in the Senate and a network of political allies are enough to secure the nation’s progress. But we know better. Liberia’s history is littered with examples of seasoned politicians who could navigate the legislative maze but lacked the moral compass to steer the country toward inclusive growth.
Mere cunning in navigating Liberia’s political landscape is insufficient. The true measure of a leader in this role is not how many political storms they survive, but how consistently they stand for Liberia—especially when the right decision is politically inconvenient.
The Degree Debate: Loyalty Has No Diploma
A BBC-affiliated journalist recently stirred another debate: the idea that it is somehow problematic for someone with a bachelor’s degree to vet a PhD holder for political office. This misses the point entirely. While academic qualifications are important for certain technical evaluations, they are no measure of a person’s loyalty, integrity, or commitment to the nation.
Liberians have witnessed the havoc that highly credentialed individuals—including Harvard-trained economists and foreign-educated technocrats—can wreak when their priorities are misaligned with the country’s needs. The electorate does not need a PhD to recognize who acts in Liberia’s interest and who does not.
Evaluating a candidate’s non-academic credentials—their patriotism, track record, and ethical standards—requires discernment, not a diploma. In many cases, the people have already seen enough to know whether someone should or should not hold public office.
Love and Loyalty Above All
We must resist the temptation to push for loyalty to a party or even loyalty to a President above loyalty to Liberia. The Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs is not merely an administrative post—it is a guardianship of the nation’s vision. Whoever fills it must be prepared to tell the President what is good for Liberia, even when it’s unpopular or politically costly.
Liberia’s leaders, political influencers, and content creators alike must use their platforms not to reinforce partisan narratives but to champion the singular cause that matters: Think Liberia (vision), Love Liberia (loyalty), Build Liberia (action)—in that order. Minister Sylvester Grigsby did his part in service to the nation, and we sympathize with his passing. Honoring his memory means redoubling our commitment to the values and vision that should guide whoever steps into this vital role.
At this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Hon. Sylvester Grigsby, to President Boakai, and to the entire nation. His service to Liberia, particularly in his final role, reflected a lifetime of commitment to public duty. May his legacy inspire those who follow to lead with integrity, vision, and unwavering love for our country.
Make Liberia Great Again!
