In a powerful and forward-looking address marking Liberia’s 178th Independence Day, Rev. Emmett L. Dunn, the National Orator, called for bold national transformation centered on youth empowerment, reconciliation, and accountable leadership. Speaking before President Joseph Boakai, government officials, dignitaries, and citizens gathered for the celebration, Rev. Dunn struck a tone of urgency, hope, and unity.
Rev. Dunn emphasized that Liberia’s future lies not in its past struggles but in the choices made today. “Our destiny will not be determined by what happened 178 years ago,” he declared. “Neither will it be determined on what happened 20 years ago. But what we choose to do today, in this moment, in this hour.”
Youth as Liberia’s Greatest Asset:
One of the orator’s most resonant messages centered on Liberia’s youth, who make up over 70% of the population. Far from viewing this as a national burden, Rev. Dunn described it as Liberia’s “golden opportunity.”
“We must stop seeing our young people as a problem to be solved and start treating them as partners in national renewal,” he urged. “They are not too young to lead… to be innovative… to dream and build what they dream of.” He called for tangible investments in youth-led enterprises, innovation hubs, and policy inclusion, stressing that “opportunity without investment is wasted potential.”
A Nation Singing for Change:
Throughout his address, Rev. Dunn echoed the metaphor of Liberia’s “children singing” ~ a symbolic refrain for the voices of everyday citizens calling for justice, accountability, and opportunity.
“Mr. President, your children are singing,” he said pointedly. “And they’re singing that corruption is still deeply embedded in our institutions.” He urged a unified fight against corruption, calling on all branches of government to take responsibility. “It will take more than policy to uproot it ~ it will take courage and political will from the highest office to the lowest.”
He warned that high unemployment among youth could drive despair and vulnerability to manipulation. “We cannot afford to let our people drift into despair or worse, drift into the hands of those who could possibly exploit their frustration.”
Reconciliation and Dual Citizenship:
In a call for lasting national unity, Rev. Dunn proposed the creation of a Standing National Commission on Reconciliation, a non-partisan body tasked with advancing truth-telling, civic education, and healing across the nation’s counties, towns, and villages.
He also commended recent amendments to the 1974 Alien and Nationality Law, which now allow for dual citizenship. “While this achievement is historic, we believe it can and must go further,” he said, expressing appreciation to the Liberian diaspora and advocates who fought for the change.
Acknowledging Progress, Demanding More:
Rev. Dunn praised the Boakai administration’s recent strides, including Liberia’s historic election to the UN Security Council and the signing of an MOU between the Financial Intelligence Agency and the Anti-Corruption Commission. He acknowledged improvements in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and national security.
Yet, he did not shy away from holding leaders accountable. “Putting Liberia first means telling the truth, even when it is uncomfortable,” he said. “It means rejecting corruption, no matter who benefits. It means, Mr. President, demanding results from those whom you have put in a position of trust.”
A Call for National Renewal:
The orator closed with a call for collective recommitment and unity, urging Liberians to move beyond division and personal interest.
“Let this day not pass as a ritual for speeches. Let it be a day of recommitment,” he urged. “Let us walk together in good times as well as bad… toward one destiny ~ not a destiny handed to us, but one that we forge together.”
As Liberia enters its 178th year of independence, Rev. Dunn’s speech stands as a stirring call to action: to invest in youth, demand integrity, embrace reconciliation, and move forward as one united people.
