President George M. Weah has thrown out a challenge to the many gifted Liberian authors and historical scholars to capture the rich history of the nation and have it printed in textbooks that will become part of the official curriculum of our educational system. According to him, it has often been said that those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are likely to repeat them in the future.
“In view of this, I believe that there is a need to write a full and comprehensive history of Liberia, which will include the history of the people that lived here before 1822, and the true and authentic history of the last 200 years as an integrated nation, including our historic struggles to achieve the unification which we enjoy today,” President Weah said in his Special Statement at the program marking the official launch of the Bicentennial commemoration of the Founding of the Republic of Liberia—1822—2022.
On Monday, February 14, 2022 programs marking the celebration of Liberia’s bicentennial were officially launched under the patronage of His Excellency President George M. Weah, and brought together all segments of the Liberian society. Prominent among the participants were the delegation of the United States government, headed by Dana Banks, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council; His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of Gambia; His Excellency Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger; His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Faure Gnassingbe, President of the Republic of Togo; His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of the Republic of Liberia.
Also in attendance were a host of government officials and leaders of opposition political parties, including Alexander B. Cummings, Standard Bearer, Alternative National Congress (ANC), and Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Political Leader, Liberty Party (LP).
In his Special Statement, President Weah emphasized national unity and reconciliation, noting that they should be the foundation upon which the new Liberia must be built.
“We must focus on promoting unity amongst all Liberians, wherever they may reside, and encourage all to make meaningful contributions to the nation-building tasks of our country.
“Redefining Liberia’s identity and building a shared sense of nationalism should be at the center of continued reconciliation in Liberia. The model for genuine National Unity and Reconciliation in Liberia is inspired and founded on positive cultural values, citizenship building, good governance, economic empowerment, and the rule of law.” He said.
He added, “In fostering genuine national unity and reconciliation, we must let go of the past, embrace the present within the context of our diversities, and give birth to the future with unity, peace, reconciliation and sustainable development as our imperative agenda.”
He used his Office as President and Chief Executive of the sweet land of liberty, Liberia, to call on all Liberians to champion the cause of national unity and to reconcile their differences for Liberia’s growth and development. “Let us reinforce and strengthen the common heritage that unites all of us, both the descendants of the indigenous people and the descendants of the settlers. We are One People, with One Destiny.”
Proposing a workable solution to Liberia’s problems in ensure that the nation becomes a better place, President Weah said Liberians should first recognize the challenges of and call to action to resolve the issues of climate change, rural-urban migration, drugs and substance abuse and development expansion, as under-development anywhere is under-development everywhere.
President Weah noted, “In order to save our present young population and future generations of youth from self-destruction, we must fashion policies to fight drugs and substance abuse. It is very concerning to me when I see the downward path in which some of our young people are heading at break-neck speed. “In this context, the problems of our disadvantaged youths cannot be ignored. It is a growing threat and must be tackled head on not by condemnation but by counseling, not by imprisonment but by rehabilitation and skills development, not by death but by giving them life and hope.”
