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Is Liberia losing economically by not granting citizenship to non–Negroes?-The Case of a Liberian-Born Celebrity in Brazil
Oct 15, 2007
Yini Guva A. Sahn
Shoreview, MN
 Ziad Youssef Fazah, was actually born in Liberia. I wondered aloud: “Gosh, another genius born in Liberia, but not a citizen because of our laws.
I wonder if Liberia is losing economically by not allowing people of non-Negro descent to become citizens. Children born in Liberia to white parents are not considered citizens because of the color of their skin. Only if their mothers are Liberians, are they considered citizens.
As a country founded by free slaves, Liberia, does not permit anyone of non-negro descent to become its citizen - (ARTICLE: 27 (b) of the Liberian Constitution of 1986- which states:
“In order to preserve, foster and maintain the positive Liberian culture, values and character, only persons who are Negroes or of Negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia.”
While this aged-old law continues to spur debates among Liberians, I made a shocking discovery during my second trip to Brazil three years ago. What I found could add more substance to those who are arguing in favor of this idea.
In Rio de Janeiro while visiting a former classmate at her satellite Post Office, I found a Brazilian Almanac - (Almanaque Brasil do Cultura Popular, No. 63; Junho 2004). While curiously reading through, I came across a topic: É Nosso! O Homen Que Fala Todas as Linguas do Mundo” (A Man who speaks all the Languages of the World”). I found out that this extremely intelligent man, Ziad Youssef Fazah, was actually born in Liberia. I wondered aloud: “Gosh, another genius born in Liberia, but not a citizen because of our laws. How many Liberian-borne geniuses like Ziad are out there? “
As I read on, and I noticed that Ziad is the son of either a Lebanese or Syrian merchant that lived in Liberia long ago. He was born in Monrovia in June of 1954. By age 11, he already knew how to speak Arabic, English and French. He now speaks 58 Languages including Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Greek, Cambodian, Polish, Russian, etc.
I notified my friend, Luciana. She said Liberians are smart. You have a lady running for president who graduated from Harvard. And she began telling me how this man is such a resource in Brazil. He has a TV program and is a big celebrity. “Certainly he makes a lot of money. And in our system of government, big money means big taxes. Ziad is certainly a big guy here,” she concluded.
“A man of such exemplary aptitude should have been a Liberian. He would have been making some contributions to the country.” I said to Roberto. “But he is now a Brazilian; sorry you guys were too slow” Guedes, another former classmate added. “The world has become a global village. It’s possible for Ziad to lecture at Liberian Universities from Brazil. That’s not the issue. The issue is how Liberia will address this aged-old problem.” I said to Guedes. When I was the webmaster for UNICCO, I received emails from Europeans born in Yekepa when their parents worked for LAMCO. I am sure they would like to one day claim their Liberian citizenship.
Finally, Luciana closed the argument by suggesting that Liberians lobby or put this important issue on the ballot for the next elections. If not, the likes of Ziad and many other white Liberians out there will not have the chance to settle in their country of birth for a long time. Liberia will continue to lose on what they have to offer.
On my next trip to Rio, I will try to have an audience with Mr. Fazah and hear what he has to say.
About the author:
Yini Guva A. Sahn lives in Shoreview, MN. He is the head of the Nimba Development Institute, Inc. He believes that Liberia's LEGENDARY TRADITION of corruption can be minimized only though education and taking PUNITIVE measures against the corrupt. Liberia will never EXCEL if it continues to reward corrupt officials with more opportunities. Yini Guva can be reached at “yigasa@yahoo.com”.
Sources:
•Liberian Constitution of 1986: www.tlcafrica.com/constitution-1986.htm#chapter4)
•Almanaque Brasil do Cultura Popular, No. 63: Junho 2004
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