Gbarnga, Bong County – Leela M. Kpukuyou, a daughter of Bong County is making significant strides on the global stage, and her latest achievement has firmly placed Liberia in the international spotlight. Madam Leelai M. Kpukuyou, a Liberian entrepreneur and activist for women’s rights, celebrated the launch of her debut memoir, “The Light I Carried Through the Storm”, at the British Council Auditorium in Accra, Ghana. This landmark event attracted an impressive assembly of members from the diplomatic corps, Ghanaian and Liberian dignitaries, esteemed creatives, and supporters from various sectors.
Born in Kakata, Margibi County, Leelai embodies a rich tapestry of Liberian heritage with her lineage extending from Lofa County through her father and Gbarpolu County through her grandparents. This deep-rooted connection to Liberia’s heartland informs her identity, and her pride in her heritage resonates throughout the evening’s proceedings. Currently residing between Monrovia and the United States, Lady Leelai’s intimate relationship with her roots underscores the thematic core of her memoir.
“The Light I Carried Through the Storm” serves not only as a personal narrative but also as a powerful reflection of the shared experiences of countless Liberians who endured the trials of conflict, displacement, and hardship without allowing adversity to define their identities. The memoir begins with her harrowing story at age 12, fleeing Liberia’s brutal civil war, capturing a journey that many kamikaze kids and war survivors can resonate with through its raw honesty and emotional depth.
In her keynote address, Leelai poignantly described her memoir as a tribute to her younger self and a broader message to all who have borne invisible burdens. “Where I come from is not just geography. It’s my grounding. Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Gbarpolu—these places live in me. This book is a reflection of how those roots helped me carry the weight of my storm and still rise,” she articulated, capturing the crowd’s collective sentiment.
Attendees described the launch as an emotional and powerful gathering, rife with nostalgia and hope. Her Excellency Musu J. Ruhle, Liberia’s Ambassador to Ghana, actively embraced the event alongside the Embassy team, with a diverse assembly of supporters from both Ghanaian and Liberian communities present. The evening was enriched with live music, captivating spoken word performances, personal reflections, and the official unveiling of Lady Leelai’s much-anticipated book.
Moreover, Kpukuyou’s memoir traverses the historical narrative of Liberia, chronicling the nation’s evolution from a backdrop of war and strife to the groundbreaking election of Africa’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and the current democratic continuity under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. With this context, the author passionately advocates for Liberians to reclaim their narrative and tell their stories authentically, free from foreign distortion or erasure.
“The Liberian story must be told by Liberians,” she emphasized. “There is beauty in our survival and power in our truth. The world needs to hear us as we are.” This rallying call aims to inspire other Liberians, particularly the youth, to articulate their journeys and experiences with pride and integrity.
Lady Leelai is optimistic that her memoir will touch the lives of students and young people across Liberia. She envisions it becoming essential reading material in schools, helping to cultivate a sense of identity and resilience among the next generation.
Currently, the memoir is available on Amazon, catering to readers in the diaspora, and plans for a forthcoming launch in Liberia are underway. This anticipated release promises to make the book accessible through bookstores and key locations nationwide, furthering its impact on the Liberian community.
Lady Leelai M. Kpukuyou’s memoir is not just a personal account; it is a clarion call for the empowerment of Liberians everywhere. As she shares her story, she reminds us all of the strength found in vulnerability and the enduring spirit of those who have weathered life’s storms.
