Monrovia – Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, Rev. William R. Tolbert, III has emphasized the need for some psychosocial therapists to be brought into the country to help alleviate the high rate of violence, mainly among the youthful population.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]
Rev. Tolbert made specific reference to the participation of motorcyclists in violent activities in the country.
He attributed such attitude to the intake of narcotic substances.
In a conversation with FrontPageAfrica in Monrovia on Wednesday, Tolbert said bringing in psychosocial therapist s would help identify series of problems faced by most youths involved with violence, thus finding solutions to these problems.
His suggestion follows his previous comment that the attitudes of some youths seem abnormal and must not be overlooked.
“The behaviors of some of these youth, especially those who are riding pen-pen are not normal and shows that they are either under the influence of alcohol, drugs or some harmful substance which often leads to violence,” Tolbert noted.
According to him, it was important that opportunities be provided for youth as a way of addressing some of the economic difficulties that sometimes force them into unwholesome activities such as drug abuse, violence, crime, among others.
There are an estimated 1,500 drug users in over 48 ghettos in and around Monrovia as a result of drug abuse, most of whom are youth, according to the group Anti-Drug Campaigners in Liberia.
According to the campaign group, the number of drug users is gradually increasing due to the lack of anti-drug rehabilitation centers where psychosocial therapists would be mostly needed.
In spite of the need for psychosocial therapists, Tolbert believes empowering youth through skill training is one of the best ways forward in improving youth capacity, as well as preventing them from acts of violence.
“We must say no to violence and avoid consumption of harmful substances in our preparation for election.
The peace Liberia has can only be maintained by citizens themselves and we are recommending that opportunities be provided youths so that they can learn new skills and learn to do things on their own,” he said.
Moreover, Tolbert said capacity building of youths across Liberia would help them in community building processes, as well as creating a violence-free society for Liberia.
He further explained that preserving Liberia’s peace was cardinal and needs the total involvement of everyone, especially youths in the motorcycle transport sector, making specific reference to the Pen-Pen Peace Network.
Pen-Pen Peace Network is a motorcycle and tricycle peace organization that promotes peace activities in various communities across Liberia.
Tolbert cautioned motorcyclists to be law-abiding in the midst of UNMIL drawdown ahead of the 2017 general and presidential elections. He admonished them not to allow themselves be used to perpetrate violence.
Peace Ambassador Tolbert wants citizens across the country to remain positive of the country’s peace, noting that it would not be helpful to keep thinking about crisis.
Speaking at the start of a community peace building initiative in Barnesville, the Country Director of Perdue, an organization that supports the Pen-Pen Peace Network of Liberia, Grace Y. Mayson, said constant community engagement was an efficient way of curtailing violence.
Mayson wants motorcyclists avoid disenchantment with the Liberia National Police and reunite with various security apparatus for the maintenance of peace in the midst of UNMIL departure.
Meanwhile, the Country Director of Perdue believes the lack of knowledge on community peace building has been a major factor responsible for series of rivalry among police and motorcyclists.
She called for total involvement of motorcyclists in community peace building throughout the country in preparation for the pending 2017 elections.