Published: July 28, 2025
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s speech on Liberia’s 178th Independence Day was powerful, solemn, and deeply rooted in history. It resonated with gratitude for regional unity, respect for peace, hope for national harmony, and a clear recognition of the ongoing economic struggles faced by everyday Liberians. However, speeches alone do not build nations. The true test of this administration’s commitment now depends on how well it turns ambitious words into concrete, measurable actions.
The President’s dedication to healing Liberia’s divided history is admirable and long overdue. His tribute to the fallen ECOWAS peacekeepers and the reburial of former Presidents William R. Tolbert Jr. and Samuel K. Doe represent a rare moment of bipartisan and historical reflection. More than just symbolic, these acts demonstrate a willingness to face trauma that previous governments have been too afraid, or too cynical, to confront. His commitment to establish a National Memorial for war victims and ECOMOG peacekeepers is a moral obligation. However, as we create monuments to the past, we must ensure they do not overshadow the suffering of the present.
The truth is, Liberia remains a nation where peace often feels like a pause, not a promise. Where divisions, ethnic, political, and economic, still run deep beneath the surface. Boakai rightly reminded the nation that “our future cannot take root without unity.” But unity without justice is simply denial. Suppose this administration is to lead an actual national healing process. In that case, it must match memorials with mechanisms that ensure accountability for past crimes, equal protection under the law, and a truth-telling process that does not fear the uncomfortable.
On the economy, the President delivered a candid assessment. While he pointed to progress in agriculture, infrastructure, and market access—especially the improved road networks to Maryland and Grand Gedeh—he also acknowledged the disconnect between falling import costs and stubbornly high market prices. His decision to appoint a high-level ad hoc committee, chaired by Vice President Jeremiah Koung, to investigate pricing disparities is a necessary intervention. But here again, success will depend on transparency, enforcement, and political will—not another report that gathers dust.
The Liberian people are not yearning for commissions; they are demanding relief. A single mother in Red Light or a rice seller in Ganta doesn’t need economic data to tell her that flour is expensive and transportation is unaffordable. What she needs is leadership that listens, and acts—swiftly and without excuse.
Perhaps the most potent line of President Boakai’s speech came in his reference to the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That spirit of collective resolve must now animate every decision his administration makes. It must extend beyond ceremonial calls for unity and manifest in inclusive policies that serve all Liberians, regardless of party, tribe, religion, or region.
President Boakai also announced July 30 as a National Day of Prayer, urging Liberians to seek divine guidance and reconciliation. While faith is a powerful force in Liberian society, we must not use prayer as a substitute for policy. God’s help must be sought, yes, but the hard work of governance is our burden to carry. Let our prayers inspire action, not excuse inaction.
As Liberia begins the long march into what President Boakai calls “The Liberian Century,” we urge him to be bold, not just benevolent; decisive, not just dignified. There is no time for politics as usual. The challenges are too urgent, the stakes too high. The promise of a reconciled, economically just, and democratically vibrant Liberia remains within reach—but only if this administration dares to meet the moment.
The President has spoken. The people are watching. History is waiting.
The Liberian Investigator
In Pursuit of Truth & Integrity
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