Published: February 13, 2026
MONROVIA — Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, political leader of the Liberia People’s Party (LPP), is urging the government to rehabilitate the Unity Conference Center, warning that continued deterioration of the historic site undermines Liberia’s cultural heritage and tourism potential.
Gongloe made the appeal during a visit to the abandoned facility, describing its current condition as evidence of what he termed inadequate preservation of national landmarks.
“This is still a great conference center that should be rehabilitated,” Gongloe said while touring sections of the complex.
Constructed in 1979 during the administration of President William R. Tolbert Jr., the Unity Conference Center was developed as a major conference and hospitality venue outside Monrovia. The site hosted high-level meetings, including events associated with the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union), and was once regarded as a symbol of Liberia’s diplomatic engagement on the continent.
Today, the facility remains largely unused, with visible structural deterioration and fading artwork. Critics say the condition reflects broader challenges in maintaining historic public infrastructure.
Gongloe argued that rehabilitating the center would serve both cultural and economic objectives.
“Everyone talks about tourism and making Liberia attractive,” he said. “This is one of the places tourists would want to see.”
He pointed to murals and historical displays within the complex that depict earlier periods of Liberia’s administrative structure, including the era when the country had fewer counties than the current fifteen. Such materials, he said, provide educational value for younger generations.
The LPP leader also noted the site’s symbolic link to Liberia’s diplomatic history, particularly during the late 1970s when the country hosted significant regional gatherings.
The Unity Conference Center falls within the broader framework of national heritage and tourism infrastructure, areas typically overseen by government institutions responsible for culture, tourism and public works.
It was not immediately clear whether the government has a formal rehabilitation plan for the site or whether funding has been allocated for its restoration.
Gongloe’s call comes amid ongoing public debate over whether Liberia should prioritize restoration of historic assets or invest primarily in new infrastructure projects.
Liberia continues to face limited conference infrastructure outside Monrovia, even as officials promote tourism and regional engagement as economic growth strategies.
Rehabilitation of the Unity Conference Center, if pursued, would require structural assessment, capital investment and long-term management planning to ensure sustainability.
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