By: Archie Boan
Human rights activist and policy analyst Fanta Kamara has ignited national debate with a sharply critical opinion piece titled “Society Offended by Words, Unmoved by Wounds: When Words Go to Prison and Justice Goes Missing.” The essay argues that Liberia’s justice system reacts swiftly when institutional dignity is challenged but moves slowly or not at all when citizens suffer violence, corruption, and abuse.
Kamara’s commentary, widely shared across social media and civic platforms, questions what she describes as a troubling imbalance in the country’s moral and legal priorities. At the heart of her argument is the recent imprisonment of social media personality Prophet Key, who began serving a six-month sentence at Monrovia Central Prison on February 13, 2026, after being found in contempt for profane remarks directed at the Supreme Court of Liberia.
While acknowledging that vulgar speech should not be celebrated, Kamara argues that the speed of the court’s response contrasts sharply with what she portrays as prolonged inaction on high-profile cases involving corruption, sexual violence, unlawful killings, and constitutional disputes.
In her essay, Kamara contends that Liberia’s justice system appears more efficient when defending the prestige of institutions than when protecting ordinary citizens. She highlights unresolved corruption allegations, citing reports from agencies such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, and questions why audit findings and financial investigations rarely result in convictions.
She also references longstanding concerns raised by civil society groups about accountability for alleged abuses by security personnel and government officials, arguing that “moral outrage becomes loudest where speaking out is safest.”
A key theme in Kamara’s piece is what she calls “selective moral indignation.” She questions why traditional leaders and advocacy groups mobilized strongly to condemn offensive language but appear less visible in public campaigns against sexual violence and systemic injustice.
The essay cites cases involving alleged assaults, unresolved police shootings, and land disputes, suggesting that victims often face years of delays while legal actions tied to institutional reputation move rapidly. Kamara frames this contrast as evidence of a deeper moral crisis rooted in unequal accountability.
Kamara’s writing also revisits recent constitutional controversies surrounding the leadership struggle within Liberia’s legislature, arguing that political actors faced little consequence for defying judicial rulings. She contrasts these episodes with the swift punishment delivered in the contempt case, questioning whether legal enforcement depends on political influence.
Beyond criticism, Kamara’s essay ultimately calls for a rethinking of national priorities. She argues that moral legitimacy is built not by suppressing offensive speech alone but by consistently protecting the vulnerable and ensuring equal application of the law.
Her closing message urges Liberians to consider whether societal outrage is being directed at symbolic offenses while deeper harms remain unresolved a question that continues to resonate as discussions unfold across the country.
