ADDRESS BY
HIS EXCELLENCY JOSEPH NYUMA BOAKAI, SR.
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 178TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERIA’S INDEPENDENCE
CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL PAVILION
ASHMUM STREET, MONROVIA.
JULY26,2025
Honorable Vice President, Jeremiah Koung;
First Lady Kartumu Y. Boakai;
Excellencies:
President Julius Maada Bio of the Republic of Sierra Leone & Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority;
President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana;
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the Republic of Senegal;
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau;
Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former President of ECOWAS and Lifelong Advocate for Peace in West Africa;
Honorable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives;
Honorable President Pro Tempore and Members of the Liberian Senate;
Her Honor, the Chief Justice, and Members of the Supreme Court Bench;
Honorable Members of the Cabinet and Officials of Government;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Our Esteemed Traditional Leaders, Chiefs, and Elders;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
Fellow Liberians at home and abroad:
I bring greetings with a heart full of gratitude to God as we gather with pride and hope in this historic Centennial Memorial Pavilion, to celebrate 178 years of our nation’s independence, an enduring symbol of the Liberian spirit and our common journey through triumphs, trials, and transformation.
July 26 is the living symbol of the courage and conviction of those who dreamed of a homeland of liberty and self-governance for African people. As we celebrate this day, we honor their legacy and reflect deeply on the journey we have taken as a people, through great promises, painful divisions, and steadfast resilience.
Earlier this year, Liberia made a significant leap on the global stage by being elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. For a country once defined by war, this is a powerful reminder that we are no longer seen only through the lens of conflict, but as a nation of peacebuilders, a voice of reason in a troubled world. It shows that Liberia is being counted among the countries that matter, that the world is watching, and, more importantly, that Liberia is ready to lead. It is a global affirmation of the progress we are making toward peace, stability, and responsible leadership.
Here at home, in recent months, we have taken important steps toward national healing and reconciliation, most notably, the respectful reburial of former Presidents William R. Tolbert, Jr. and Samuel K. Doe, Sr. These ceremonies aimed to correct historical injustices and to unite us as one nation moving forward. Additionally, the declaration of a national apology for the countless lives lost and the destruction caused by our years of conflict is a bold yet necessary step forward.
There is a familiar African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Today, as we celebrate our independence, this wisdom rings true. We cannot build a lasting future without walking together as one people with a shared destiny.
As I mentioned last year, we are standing at a crossroads, the confluence of our past and our potential. One path keeps us locked in old ways, repeating the mistakes of yesterday. The other dares us to dream boldly and move forward, learning from our history, but not imprisoned by it. We must choose that second path and declare this era the Liberian Century.
We must rise to build a society that values knowledge over ignorance, unity over discord, and progress over stagnation.
Around the world, nations are leveraging technology to transform their societies and turn challenges into opportunities. Liberia must not be left behind. But to move forward, we must first heal the divisions that threaten to pull us apart. Our development will not endure without reconciliation. Our future cannot take root without unity.
That is why this year’s theme, “One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past and Building the Future,” rings loud with such urgency. There is no greater task before us than building a Liberia that is good for all Liberians.
We must be inspired by the words that say: “Where there once were shadows, light has fallen.” Yes, Liberia has known darkness. But today, we must be the torchbearers of that new light, a light that reveals our common purpose. The nation has made progress, and we must urgently work, using the positives from Liberia’s exceptionalism to accelerate our efforts and catch up.
As we commit ourselves to national unity, we also pause today to extend our deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Liberia to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its decisive and courageous role during our country’s most turbulent years.
To the ECOWAS countries that contributed troops and resources during the original deployment in Liberia, to Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, and others, we owe a historic debt of gratitude. Your nations stood by us in our hour of greatest need, not with words alone, but with action, by sending your sons and daughters to help restore peace on our soil. Many of your children paid the ultimate price to keep so many of us alive. And many more remained steadfast, even when our prospects were uncertain.
We remember with reverence the leadership and courage of key ECOWAS figures who championed the cause of peace in Liberia. These were the voices of the voiceless when Liberia had none. These were the hands that helped lift us when we had fallen. It is for this reason that, in this year of our 178th independence and the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, Liberia chooses to honor these countries, these leaders, and the institution of ECOWAS itself. Your commitment to regional solidarity and collective security gave Liberia a second chance. And for that, we are eternally grateful. As we say in Liberia, your thank-you plenty, yah!
To honor this enduring partnership and the great sacrifices it required, I am pleased to announce that, following months of consultations, my Government will soon commission a National Memorial. This memorial will stand in honor of the victims of Liberia’s civil war and in solemn remembrance of the brave men and women of ECOMOG, the peacekeeping arm of ECOWAS, who gave their lives on Liberian soil for the sake of our peace.
This sacred monument will not only commemorate the fallen but will also serve as a call to conscience for generations to come, a powerful reminder that the peace we enjoy today was never free. It was earned through courage, paid for in sacrifice, and must be preserved by unity.
From the founding of our nation, through seasons of trial and triumph, God has remained our guide and the source of our hope. As we look to the future, let us embrace forgiveness of ourselves and one another, for it is only through reconciliation that we can fully heal and move forward as one people.
With this conviction, I hereby declare Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as a National Day of Prayer. On this day, I call on all Liberians, our partners, and everyone within the borders of Liberia to gather in our churches, mosques, and other places of worship to seek God’s face. We should ask for His continued blessing upon our land, and to renew our covenant for peace, unity, and a reconciled Liberia.
My fellow Liberians,
Our nation is moving forward. We are building on the gains of the last two decades with focus and determination. We are improving Liberia’s image on the international stage and rewriting the narrative of who we are, as a people, and what our country stands for.
At home, progress is visible. Our roads are improving, and even in the peak of this rainy season, taxis and commercial vehicles can reach Maryland and Grand Gedeh without the struggles of years past. Our farmers are producing more food, and the price of rice, vegetables, and other local produce has reached the lowest point in many years.
Small, small, we are marching toward a happy land by God’s command. But let me be clear: there is still much more to do.
While our economy is making steady progress, our domestic revenue remains limited, and many families continue to feel the weight of high prices. Transportation costs are too high. The prices of flour, sugar, and other essential goods continue to be a burden. Building materials are still expensive, making it hard for ordinary Liberians to construct homes and businesses.
This contradiction, where import costs have fallen yet market prices remain high, requires urgent attention. Therefore, I am establishing a High-Level Presidential Ad Hoc Committee to investigate these disparities and recommend practical solutions for our immediate action.
This Committee will be chaired by someone I trust deeply, a dedicated public servant and an experienced businessman, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung. The Committee will work swiftly and submit a comprehensive report within 45 days with clear recommendations to restore fairness and stability in our market system.
Fellow Liberians, I stand before you both as your President and partner in renewal, ready to make bold decisions free of fear or bias, to advance our country. We must place our politics and personal interests secondary to the public good and realize the Liberia our people have envisioned since its founding. I will work with every Liberian, regardless of their political affiliation, because building our nation is bigger than any one group or any one interest.
As we look ahead, let us remember the words of President Jimmy Carter, spoken right here in Liberia decades ago. President Carter spoke of a people “determined to build a society which reflected the dignity of their souls and the hope in their hearts.” That determination lives in us still. Let us look forward, Thinking Liberia, Loving Liberia, and Building Liberia.
May God bless us all, may God bless ECOWAS, and preserve our Republic. Happy Independence Day.
Long Live the Republic.
