Squandered youth-young people represent a profound loss, as high-energy years are wasted on distractions rather than on building, leading to future regret. It is the loss of a unique, unrepeatable period for building foundations, often obscured by the false belief that youth is merely for pleasure.
On the Loss of Potential and Time: “Youth is not for enjoyment, it is for construction… Enjoyment without direction creates regret.” — Virg. in.
“A missed opportunity for a child today is a lost future tomorrow. Once time is gone from a childhood, there is no opportunity to get it back.” — Smriti Mandhana.
“Youth is wasted on the young.” — George Bernard Shaw.
“Those who enjoy youth too much suffer adulthood deeply.” — Virgil.
On the Mismanagement of Opportunity: “People say enjoy your youth because they do not want competition… A focused youth threatens lazy adults.” — Virg. in.
“Young people are… brainless… don’t know what they have… squander every opportunity of being young.” — George Bernard Shaw.
“The bill always comes later. Life collects payment with interest.” — Virg. in.
On the Structural Squandering of Youth: “As we get younger, we’re taking away opportunity and prosperity from our youngest, the social contract that is now no longer in place.” — Scott Galloway.
Perspectives on Reclaiming the Opportunity: “Youth is a state of mind, not age… People grow old only by deserting their ideals.” — Samuel Ullman.
“If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it.” — Hearts and Minds.
“True enjoyment comes from progress—not distraction.” — Virg. in.
By: Austin S Fallah – A True Son of the Planet Earth Soil: fallahas@yahoo.com.
In the annals of any nation’s history, there are defining moments that create pivotal opportunities for growth, change, and progress.
For Liberia, a country rich in natural resources and cultural heritage but marred by decades of political unrest and economic hardship, the period between 2003 and 2023 provides one of the most significant, yet ultimately squandered, opportunities for its youth, young people, and future generations.
This discourse examines the historical context of these years, highlights the struggles faced by the young people, women, children, and marginalized groups such as the “Zogos,” and critiques how a generation of some leaders born in the late 1960s to the early 1990s during this window permitted the country’s potential to dissolve into self-interested pursuits, crippling Liberia’s journey toward a more equitable and prosperous society.
Arguably, the last two quarters of the 20th century and the first quarter of the 21st century were marked by an unprecedented dissatisfaction with corruption and systemic injustice in Liberia.
They were pregnant with the possibility of genuine emancipation from the shackles of misgovernance, where active civic engagement could have catalyzed significant social change.
Born in this critical epoch were some of Liberia’s most passionate and engaged citizens, eager to advocate for the rights of the oppressed and underprivileged.
Among this group were young adults who embraced revolutionary ideals, striving to uplift others from the depths of poverty and despair.
Yet, while their dedication and passion ignited momentary sparks of hope, the opportunities afforded them were squandered by misguided choices and a troubling retreat into self-aggrandizement.
At the heart of the chaos that unfolded during these years was a struggle for power and the search for identity amidst political tensions.
The societal fabric of Liberia began unraveling by the late 1970s to 2023, a trend exacerbated by the crippling corruption of successive regimes.
For a generation primed for change, this served as both a call to action and an opportunity to galvanize the masses to challenge the status quo.
Instead, many individuals within this cohort, tempted by the allure of opportunism, chose personal gain over collective well-being.
This led to a leadership crisis that would undermine the very principles of democracy, social justice, and ethical entrepreneurship that so many had fought to defend.
The question arises: why did a generation of leaders betray their compatriots by prioritizing personal ambitions?
One could argue that the systemic corruption, ingrained in the political landscape, reshaped the aspirations of those aspiring to rise to power.
Many young people entered the arena with noble intentions but quickly became disillusioned when faced with the harsh realities of a system designed to reward the unscrupulous.
As a result, the dialogue about development and progress transitioned away from genuine issues affecting the populace to shallow discussions focused on self-enrichment and political maneuvering.
This shift towards self-interest created a significant disconnect between the leaders of this era and the core population, particularly marginalized groups such as women and children who bore the brunt of systemic injustices.
Women, historically sidelined in socio-political dialogues, faced the compounding effects of structural and gendered inequalities exacerbated during this period.
The leaders who emerged from this cohort missed the boat on advocating for gender equity, ultimately condemning women and girls to cycles of poverty and discrimination.
Moreover, the young people, despite their potential to become powerful agents of change, were frequently disillusioned and disengaged.
The ideals that galvanized many in this age group, the hope of establishing a nation characterized by innovation and critical thinking, gradually faded, giving way to cynicism and despair.
This generation could have perhaps learned from nations that have managed to wrest themselves from the throes of despair, utilizing ethical entrepreneurship as a foundation for economic growth.
Instead, the allure of corruption muted any attempts to redefine the narrative and showcase successful, sustainable models of governance.
Consider, for instance, the “Zogos”—a term used to describe the marginalized youth and young people who have often been neglected by society and subjected to poverty.
This group, like many others, was swept into the turmoil of disillusionment, unable to grasp the opportunities their predecessors had offered.
The potential for the “Zogos” to become advocates for change was stunted by the very environment intended to nurture their aspirations.
The leadership vacuum left by self-serving leaders deprived homes, neighborhoods, and communities of role models who could inspire hope and a renewed sense of purpose.
Education, often heralded as the great equalizer, was another area tragically impacted by this negligence.
The investments that could have transformed educational systems and thus provided youth and young people with the tools to foster innovation were instead funneled into the pockets of the corrupt so-called elite.
Consequently, generations of young Liberians emerged with limited access to quality education and skills training that were essential for competing not just within Liberia but also on an international stage.
The irony is palpable: while the world was rapidly evolving, Liberia’s youth and young people were left behind, trapped in a time warp of stagnation, unable to transcend the barriers that sought to define their existence.
In contrast to Liberia’s potential trajectory, other nations during the same period experienced significant developments and transformations.
Nations that embraced advancements in ethical governance and entrepreneurship lifted their citizens out of poverty, setting an example for Liberia to follow.
For instance, countries like Ghana and Rwanda demonstrated the power of vision during tumultuous times, showcasing how intentional actions guided by collective interests and ethical leadership can lead to lasting change.
In juxtaposing these examples with Liberia’s stagnation, one can not help but contemplate the immense loss of what could have been: a nation filled with innovators, critical thinkers, and proud citizens determined to secure a brighter future for all.
Reflecting on this backdrop, one can not overlook the complexity of the narrative woven into Liberia’s struggle for emergence.
Ma-Dawoh, for all the criticisms she may face, embodies the voices of her generation yearning for change: for whatever reason, only untold stories will reveal it one day.
It is vital to acknowledge that while it is easy to critique the failures of a particular cohort, the narrative is nuanced with layers of systemic challenges that run deeper than the choices of a few.
Nonetheless, history remains the ultimate judge.
Future generations will study how some of those born from the late 1960s to the early 1990s navigated their moment in history.
They will reflect on how opportunities designed to foster innovation, critical thinking, and socio-economic development were sidestepped in favor of fleeting gains.
Liberia’s moment of promise during the last two quarters of the 20th century and the rare first quarter of the 21st century serves as a cautionary tale, a poignant reminder of what happens when opportunities are squandered in favor of self-interest.
Some of those born in the 1960s to the early 1990s held within them the potential to redefine a nation in the first half of the 21st century, to lift Liberia out of the dungeons of poverty into a landscape rich with hope, justice, and equality.
With each passing year, the memories of those who squandered this invaluable time slip deeper into the fabric of history, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential.
The lessons learned from this era should serve as illumination for generations to come; a call to action to ensure that when opportunity knocks again, the door is not merely opened but welcomed with open arms, and the walls built around self-aggrandizement are transformed into bridges connecting all Liberians toward a shared dream of progress and prosperity.
