Kwame Clement Predicts Tough 2017
Written by By Throble K. Suah - The New Dawn
One of Liberia's renowned television broadcast journalists has announced his intention to become a strong political actor in 2017 during the country's next democratic elections. Kwame A. Clement, who is predicting a "tough 2017 polls," believes it would be the passing time to the new generation of which he will be an active participant.
"It would be a tough battle, but I intend being an active participant in the political process. It is not a crime as a Liberian," he said.
He spoke Tuesday during the monthly (August's) edition of the Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum, organized by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) in Monrovia under the theme: "The Power of the Media in the Fight against Corruption and Sustainable Democracy."
Come 2017, Clement continued: "It will be passing on time to the new generation especially those who are prepared and competent like ours to bring new ideas and dynamism to our people."
The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) former newscaster said he has reached the stage of his career to get engaged politically and make his contributions to the democratic process of Liberia.
"Over the years, people from various political parties wanted me including the Unity Party, CDC and many others but I did not have problem with that," Kwame noted.
Assessing the media landscape here, Kwame, Chairman of the Liberia Development Group (LDG) praised the government for making strive though he noted there is a room for improvement.
He said there are three big players in every democratic process around the world, namely politicians, the public and media, adding, "The media allows the public to know what politicians are doing."
"Whenever you have free press, you must have a functional democratic system. When you have democracy, you must have a functional press. This is why the present regime needs to be praised for signing two laws; the Freedom of Information Act and the Table Mountain," Kwame said.
He holds a Doctorate of Juris from the George Washington University, LLB Degree from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, and Bachelors of Science Degree in Economics from the College of Business and Public Administration, University of Liberia.
