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A young Liberia scholar, Mussah
Alemame Kamara, on Sunday June 3
received Masters degree in
Development Economics from the
prestigious Williams College in
Williamstown, MA. CBS News Anchor,
Katie Couric, was commencement
speaker. Alemame, as he is
affectionately known, is a
beneficiary of the Center for
Development Economics & World Bank
educational assistance program to
developing countries. He hails from
Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
Alemame holds Bachelors of
Science, magna cum laude, from the
University of Liberia. Prior to his
educational sojourn to the United
States in August 2006, he worked as
Assistant Manager for Banking
Supervision at the Central Bank of
Liberia in Monrovia. He was among
several hundred students who proudly
received their diploma on Sunday. In
an interview on campus, Alemame
characterized his success as the
consummation of several months of
hard work and perseverance. He
promised to use the knowledge
acquired to contribute to the
formulation of sound economic policy
in Liberia. The new grad also
pledged to share his experience by
part-time teaching at the
University of Liberia.
Alemame’s story more than
anything else, has to remind us that
success in any field and
venture is the culmination of
several years of dedication,
patience and sacrifice. It is a
generally held view that most
Mandingoes are less patient and
driven by making quick profits
while ignoring the potential of
enormous returns resulting from
long-term investment. Investment in
education is what Alemame chose
several years ago. Despite the
trials and challenges, he never
budged. During the civil war,
Alemame lived in Guinea, so were
several hundred thousand Liberians.
Tougher times in exile did not
break his resolve. He returned to
Monrovia in 1997, earned his
Bachelors degree all with no
significant support from any outside
source. Money and food were scarce.
He practically paved his own way. “
I was never selected because of who
I know. The selection process was
open and competitive,” Alemame
stated. He admonished all Liberians
and Mandingoes in particular to
continue to work hard and not yield
to the perception of victimization.
Alemame returned home on June 4 to
resume work at the Central Bank.
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