The National Steering Committee of the Liberia 2022 Bicentennial, headed by the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Ledgerhood Rennie, on Friday, February 4, 2022 announced that the grand national launch of the activities commemorating the celebration of the Bicentennial will be held on Monday, February 14, 2022 at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville, under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia.
Minister Rennie disclosed that, on Monday, February 14, 2022, at 8:00 a.m., the Liberia 2022 Bicentennial will officially be launched at the SKD Sports Complex and, on the same day, a National Cultural Festival will be held at the same venue, followed by the Heads of States Summit at the Executive Mansion from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Later that evening, he said, President Weah will host the Grand Bicentennial Dinner Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. at the Executive Mansion.
Giving a rundown of activities before and after the Grand National Launch of the Bicentennial, the Chairman of the Liberia 2022 Bicentennial disclosed that, on Friday, February 11, 2022, President Weah will join the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in commemorating their 65th AFL Day and 114 years of existence. On the same day, he continued, a National Muslim Prayer will be held at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS), UN Drive, at 12 noon.
Minister Rennie continued that, on Sunday, February 13, 2022, a National Christian Prayer will be held at the grounds of the Executive Mansion at 12 noon, and 8:00 p.m. will be the National Candle Light Vigil at the SKD Sports Complex, Paynesville.
He disclosed that a two-day Founder’s Day event will be held at the Ministerial Complex by the University of Liberia (UL) on February 15—16, 2022, in commemoration of the founding of the university, formerly the Liberia College. According to him, the event will bring together scholars and academicians from around the world. He explained that on February 15, at 10:00 a.m., the opening ceremony and launch of the Center for Diaspora and Migration Studies will be held, and will be followed by a panel discussion. On February 16, he said, an honoring program for Dr. Joseph Saye Guannu will be held, followed by a musical concert at the Capitol Hill campus of the UL.
He disclosed that a two-day festival, Liberty Fest, will also be hosted by the Crusaders for Peace on February 18—19, 2022 beginning at 12 noon each day at the SKD Sports Complex.
Making the disclosure at a special press briefing on Friday, February 4, 2022 in the Conference Hall of the Boulevard Palace, Sinkor, Minister Rennie urged the citizenry to own and take hold of the celebrations, and jokingly said there will be no problem for anyone who would not go to work on the day of the Grand National Launch, provided that the person can provide evidence that they attended the program.
He said the committee has been given hundreds of tickets to distribute among government workers so that they can attend the program. He said it is mandated that all government officials grace the occasion and help in the implementation of the Bicentennial so that it can be a resounding success.
The special briefing was held by members of the National Steering Committee of the Liberia 2022 Bicentennial, including Jefferson T. Koijee, Mayor of Monrovia and Co-Chair of the committee, Abdul Kromah, PUL President Charles Cuffey, Idriss Bility and Deputy Minister Jarlawah Tonpo.
Speaking to issues of concern, Mayor Koijee reiterated the Committee’s stance to make the celebration a Liberian brand, denouncing the allegation that they were inviting international artists to perform during the celebrations. He however noted that an individual, who has shown interest in the celebrations, has willfully and at his own expense invited P-Square (Nigerian artists) to perform at the program.
Mayor Koijee clarified that they are holding talks with local Liberian artists to make the celebration unique and intriguing. He displayed souvenir items on sale for the Bicentennial celebrations, including caps, notepads, shirts and power-banks.
He also disclosed that they will hold talks with motorcyclists, in order for them not to ply the main streets of Monrovia while the guests of the Bicentennial are in country.
In response to a question about giving Monrovia a facelift in this short timeframe to the celebrations, Mayor Koijee said they are making frantic effort in ensuring that Monrovia is clean and green, but the citizenry needs to understand that their effort will be in vain if they do not stop dumping dirt everywhere. “It is humans that make the city dirty, not spirits,” he noted.