The Political Leader of the Liberia People’s Party (LPP), Cllr Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has launched a harsh criticism of mediocrity in the development process, stating that such a mentality cannot develop a nation. In an article titled: “THE DANGER OF THE “AT LEAST” MENTALITY IN LIBERIA: A NATION CANNOT DEVELOP ON MEDIOCRITY – PART I,” the LPP Political Leader said that Liberia is a country blessed by God but betrayed by its own standards, noting that for over a century, has lived below its potential—not because of destiny, but because of the poison of low expectations.
“And nothing reflects this more than the national slogan that continues to damage our progress- ‘At least…’ ‘Past governments were bad, but at least this one is trying; past officials hid stolen money abroad; at least this group keeps the stolen money here. Our schools are poor, but at least children are learning something. Hospitals have no medicine, but at least nurses show up. Our roads are substandard, but at least some are being built,” Gongloe noted.
According to him, “but at least” is the language of mediocrity, and mediocrity is the enemy of development, saying that it is the lullaby that puts citizens to sleep while leaders loot them awake, as it convinces a nation to clap for crumbs and call small things big achievements. Cllr Gongloe said that no country has ever risen from poverty to prosperity on the back of “at least,” indicating that nations rise when citizens demand excellence, accountability, and integrity—not excuses.
Gongloe: “The ‘at least’ mentality is dangerous because it normalizes failure. It transforms corruption into a tolerable act. It turns bad governance into something acceptable as long as it appears slightly better than the worst. The moment we say “at least,” we lower the bar. The moment we lower the bar, anything becomes acceptable. A road that washes away in one rainy season becomes a miracle; a government that punishes small thieves but protects big thieves becomes “better”; a hospital with no medicine becomes “progress” because the lights are on.”
He believes that Liberia is not held back by lack of resources but by lack of standards, calling on Liberians to reject the insult of low expectations. “We must stop comparing one failing system to another failing system and calling the less-worse one ‘development.’ “The time has come to replace at least with at last: At last integrity, At last competence, At last accountability,” he added.
Cllr Gongloe noted that if Liberians want real progress, they must raise their expectations so high that mediocrity cannot reach them. They must spark conversations—in classrooms, marketplaces, street corners, community halls, and political forums—about what Liberia truly deserves. He concluded that Liberia will only rise when Liberians rise in their expectations, and now is the time for change from at least to at last.
