THE “AT LEAST” MENTALITY IN LIBERIA – PART II

By Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe

Monrovia-December 5, 2025: Liberia is a blessed country held hostage by small ambitions. Our biggest barrier to development is not just corruption — it is a toxic mixture of ignorance, arrogance, and the “at least” mentality.

Together, they explain why Liberia remains stuck while other African nations rise. 1. Ignorance: When Citizens Don’t Know What They Deserve. Ignorance in Liberia is not stupidity-it is lack of information, lack of civic awareness, lack of national consciousness. Ignorance makes people believe that: a. suffering is normal, b. corruption is a culture, c. poor services are acceptable, d. leaders are doing them a favor.

A people who don’t know better cannot demand better. This is why a hand pump becomes a miracle, a small road becomes “development,” and a bag of rice becomes “leadership.” Ignorance feeds mediocrity.

2. Arrogance: When Leaders Stop Listening If ignorance weakens the people, arrogance destroys leadership. Arrogance makes officials believe: a. they know everything, b. advice is an insult, c. criticism is hatred, d. positions are personal properties. Arrogance turns public service into personal advantage.

It makes leaders unteachable, unreachable, and unaccountable. Nothing kills a nation faster than arrogant leadership ruling over uninformed citizens. 3. The “At Least” Mentality: The Glue That Holds Failure Together Ignorance makes citizens accept little.

Arrogance makes leaders give little. The “at least” mentality locks the country in permanent backwardness: a.  “At least government fixed one street.” b. “At least he shared the stolen money.”

1. “At least this government is not as bad as the last.” A nation that celebrates crumbs will never enjoy a banquet. Low expectations guarantee slow development. Why Other African Countries Are Moving Forward Liberia is not cursed. We are simply refusing to rise.

Look at countries putting their people first: a.  Botswana-integrity and accountability b. Rwanda-discipline and results c. Namibia — responsible governance d. Mauritius-strong institutions e. Cape Verde & Seychelles — transparency and public service f. Burkina Faso (Sankara era, being renewed and improved by Traore) — sacrifice, integrity, and a people-first leadership. These nations rejected mediocrity long ago. Their progress is not magic — it is the result of mindset.

Liberia Must Raise Its Standards To rise, Liberia must: a. replaces ignorance with civic education, b. replace arrogance with humility in leadership, c. replaces “at least” with “we deserve better.” No country can develop when its people expect nothing and its leaders think they owe nothing.

A better Liberia is possible without the at least mentality!!!

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.