By Sampson W. Weah
Fish Town, River Gee County — Sinoe County Senator Crayton “Old Man” Duncan has delivered a strong call to action to students of William V. S. Tubman University, urging them to stand as bold defenders of accountability, transparency, and the rightful management of Liberia’s natural wealth.
Speaking on Saturday at the 14th Annual Retreat of the Vanguard Student Unification Alliance (SUA) in Fish Town, Senator Duncan cautioned student leaders against complacency, emphasizing that Liberia’s advancement rests heavily on the courage and vigilance of its young people.
The Senator underscored the critical influence students have in shaping national debates and holding public officials responsible.
“Liberia’s problem is not the absence of natural resources,” he said. “Our problem is the persistent fear of confronting foreign actors who arrive with little but leave with much. This cycle must stop.”
Senator Duncan expressed frustration over the long history of foreign entities dominating the country’s resource sector while ordinary Liberians reap limited benefits. He challenged students to demand leadership that is fearless, capable, and committed to securing fair agreements that serve the national interest.
He criticized the tendency of many foreign investors to present themselves as partners while extracting disproportionate value from the nation.
“The Executive leadership has too often appeared intimidated by individuals who bring very little yet leave with substantial portions of Liberia’s wealth,” he noted.
Duncan urged SUA to intensify its advocacy for transparent concession deals, environmental protection, and fair development outcomes. He stressed that student politics must rise above personality clashes and short-term alliances, instead focusing on policies, constructive engagement, and national transformation.
Founded in 2011 at Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County, the Vanguard Student Unification Alliance has grown into a leading student movement championing students’ rights and pushing for institutional reforms.
In his concluding remarks, Senator Duncan reminded the students that many of Liberia’s current development setbacks stem from years of leadership failures across successive governments.
“I did not travel from Monrovia to deliver an ordinary political speech,” he said. “I came because the student community must be central to rebuilding this nation. Your voices, your activism, and your ideas must fuel the change Liberia urgently needs.”
He encouraged the students to remain united, well-informed, and steadfast in pursuing a Liberia where the interests of its citizens come first.
