EduThink-Afrika

The only person that can stop you from pursuing that goal is you, not even opportunity because you have the power to create one.

August 27, 2024, marked another day of learning, sharing expanding, and exploring our ideas on how we can mitigate the issues of misinformation and disinformation at the Democracy Impact Summit, a program conducted by NAYMOTE -Liberia, under the auspices of the US Embassy Monrovia Public Diplomacy Section.

The room was full of light, I could see the beams of it flowing from one direction to another as leaders from diverse fields of studies, civil society organizations, and governmental institutions shot their shots at issues, and how we can find possible solutions to them.

The views pinched me to keep on seeding.


-LIberia

After many years of fighting through the walls of Stella Maris Polytechnic University, I was able to storm the storms with a GPA of 3.41 (CUM LAUDE) - Academic Excellence.

It is not done even when it is done.
MUTA - JA - Moving Forward

Yahweh, the Source of my Strength.

Always learn to keep on pushing till it works regardless of how rough the shots of life may be.
And possess the spirit of resilience and excellence.

GAMBLING - A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

In recent years, the rise of gambling, both in its old-fashioned methods and through digital platforms, has become a global phenomenon that demands urgent attention.

While many nations have invested considerable effort into eradicating poverty and fostering economic strength, the spread of gambling threatens to undermine these achievements.

The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to promote prosperity while protecting the planet, but these goals become increasingly difficult to achieve when a significant portion of the population engages in activities that drain financial resources rather than contribute to economic stability.

A Country, like Liberia, struggles to meet these goals and is ignorantly involved in gambling without understanding how its toxicity can affect the growth and development of the nation and seduce the minds of young people to think critically to solve real-world problems.

The gap is plain between countries that have struggled heroically to reclaim dignity and improve their socio-economic standing and those that promote gambling as an avenue for quick wealth. The attraction of gambling often overshadows the hard-earned gains of developing and even developed nations, leading to a cycle of dependency and financial indebtedness.

While it may seem that developing nations are progressing, their continued investment in gambling, often perpetuated by global trends and external influences, further tricks them into cycles of poverty and systemic economic challenges

Many nations have adopted the developed nation's trends under the curtain of globalization.

Let's stay alert, build our capacity, and develop others who follow, and together, we all can create a system that meets our cultural values.

GAMBLING – A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

In recent years, the rise of gambling, both in its old-fashioned methods and through digital platforms, has become a global phenomenon that demands urgent attention. While many nations have invested considerable effort into eradicating poverty and fostering economic strength, the spread of gambling threatens to undermine these achievements.

The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to promote prosperity while protecting the planet, but these goals become increasingly difficult to achieve when a significant portion of the population engages in activities that drain financial resources rather than contribute to economic stability. Our country, Liberia, struggles to meet these goals and is ignorantly involved in gambling without understanding how its toxicity can affect the growth and development of the nation and seduce the minds of young people to think critically to solve real-world problems.

The gap is plain between countries that have struggled heroically to reclaim dignity and improve their socio-economic standing and those that promote gambling as an avenue for quick wealth. The attraction of gambling often overshadows the hard-earned gains of developing and even developed nations, leading to a cycle of dependency and financial indebtedness. While it may seem that developing nations are progressing, their continued investment in gambling, often perpetuated by global trends and external influences, further tricks them into cycles of poverty and systemic economic challenges.

Moreover, the global trend of gambling reflects a broader issue. As nations adjust practices from others under the curtains of globalization, they often neglect the importance of thorough fact-checking and cultural sensitivity. The introduction of gambling may appear to modernize an economy or generate revenue, but without a deep understanding of its impacts, communities can suffer awful consequences. The impact on family structures, and community unity cannot be overstated; the false promise of instant wealth through gambling can lead to widespread addiction, financial ruin, and social disengagement.

The desire for relevance and modernization is good, but it can blind nations to the realities of these trends. By adhering too closely to perceived global norms without critical evaluation, countries risk promoting activities that are harmful to their long-term growth. Liberian leaders from all sectors and lawmakers need to delve into the potential pros and cons of gambling within their unique cultural contexts.

If our country, Liberia must grow fast and go far, our economic policies must not only reflect current global trends but also be rooted in an understanding of cultural values and social consequences. We must foster dialogues around responsible gambling, including the development of regulations that protect vulnerable populations and provide support for those affected by gambling addiction.

In this light, addressing the issue of gambling is not merely a matter of regulation; it is an imperious for sustainable development.

A new systematic review published today by the scientific journal Addiction has found that, globally, around one in every 400 adults (0.23% of the current general adult population) has sought help for gambling problems, either during the past 12 months or at some point in their lifetime. https://www.addictionjournal.org/posts/over-10-million-adults-have-sought-help-for-problem-gambling

My journey has always been seeking every positive opportunity to discover, develop, and deplore as I focus on my goals to create a sustainable learning opportunity, and adding value to my career as an educator through volunteerism and civil engagement.

Along my journey, I met several barriers that could have held me down, but regardless of my limitations, which wasn't even a count, I was them as the process through which I can delve to learn and become the authentic version of myself as I embark on a journey of impact.

As an educator, I have been thinking without the box to be globally prepared as I pursue my career in Education. I decided not to just limit myself in the classroom, but to learn professional and technical skills that would boost my inner strength to keep learning, growing, and glowing to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Because I do believe that those who must lead the change must firstly change the narrative, be innovative and take initiative to solve problems in their global village.

Furthermore, today’s Democracy Impact Summit, a session on Human Rights, Leadership, and Civil Engagement was a reminder to reawaken my strength to embark on my projects, evaluate myself, and build a sturdy team. It was a session of rediscovery and assessment. The room was full of light, I could see the beams of it flowing as leaders from diverse fields of studies, civil society organizations, and governmental institutions shot their shots at issues and how we can join to mitigate them. The views pinched me to keep working.

Thanks to NAYMOTE-Liberia for the platform and opportunity to be part of this journey of transformation.


NAYMOTE-Liberia

LEADER & VICTIM

As I learned from one of Robin Sharman's books, Victims are addicted to entertainment. Things that make them follow the trends, and not delve into solving problems.

Leaders are obsessed with getting things done - embarking on birthing the results that are needed to shift the pendulum.

To move from any form of a victim, you need to shift from just being busy (moment without progress) to lean productivity.

Today does not just mark the celebration of the numerous years that I have seen, but also my level of achievement as a young dedicated African educator, Leader, and student Career Coach.

I can still remember 8 years back when I got engaged in youth-led organizational activities, volunteering and using my acquired skills and experience to peek into the minds of students and teachers as I delved into pursuing my career - Education.

It was an arduous journey of leading the change of turning my passion into a project, a project to fill the fountains of young Africans to discover, develop, deplore, and become the authentic version of themselves and become global solution-oriented leaders.

It wasn’t easy – rough and tough, but I kept pushing, mounting up my wings and conquering my fears. My limitation wasn’t an excuse to quit or mention “I can’t”. Regardless of how stern things were, I saw my dangling moments as the process of unleashing the product of my product.

A day to reflect on results for the task ahead.

Yahweh, the source of my strength.