President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has described Liberia as a living symbol of courage and conviction on its milestone 178th Independence Day commemoration on Saturday, July 26, 2025, continuing its legacy as West Africa’s oldest country. The celebration, which brought together five African presidents, including Liberia’s President Joseph N. Boakai, was under the theme, “One people, One destiny: Healing the past, Building the future.”
Liberia was founded in the early 1820s by freed African Americans through the American Colonization Society (ACS), which aimed to resettle freed black people from the United States to Africa. The country became independent to secure its sovereignty and resist external control, the settlers declaring it an independent republic on July 26, 1847; Joseph Jenkins Roberts became its first president, making the nation Africa’s first and oldest modern republic, and one of the only African countries not colonized during the “Scramble for Africa.”
Speaking during the celebration at the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia, President Boakai said that 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, and Liberians celebrate the day, they have honor the legacy and reflect deeply on the journey they have taken as a people, through great promises, painful divisions, and steadfast resilience. He urged Liberians to rise and 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,” he added. The Liberian leader narrated that this year’s theme, “One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past and Building the Future,” rings loud with such urgency, saying there’s no greater task before citizens than building a Liberia that is good for all.
Boakai: “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 exceptionality to accelerate our efforts and catch up.” The President extended his deepest gratitude on behalf of Liberians to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its decisive and courageous role during our country’s most turbulent years.
Boakai informed his counterparts that roads in the country are improving, and even in the peak of the rainy season, taxis and commercial vehicles can reach Maryland and Grand Gedeh without the struggles of years past. According to him, farmers are also producing more food, and the price of rice, vegetables, and other local produce has reached the lowest point in many years.
While Liberia’s economy is making steady progress, President Boakai narrated that the domestic revenue remains limited, and many families continue to feel the weight of high prices, including exorbitant transportation costs. “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,” he said.
The Liberian leader revealed that the committee will be chaired by someone he trusts, a dedicated public servant and an experienced businessman, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung. He said that 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.
As a president and partner in renewal, Boakai revealed his readiness 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,” Boakai stated.
