“Let’s Journey To Our Destiny Of Democracy” -Ex-President Sirleaf Declares
By Laurina B. Lormia
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says it took courage to declare our independence, to end our wars, and to defeat Ebola, declaring that courage is a part of our national DNA.
She made the statement, according to her, to inspire Liberians and to make the point that now, and always, it will require our inherited courage to journey to our destiny of democracy, inclusive development, unity, and political accountability.
The statement was contained in a keynote address she delivered on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the second summit on Democracy and Political Accountability organized by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Liberia.
The summit aims to foster dialogue on political accountability, transparency, and citizen engagement, focusing on sustainable reforms to promote democratic resilience in Liberia.
The two-day summit, being held from March 5-6, 2025, in Sinkor, is themed “Exploring Pathways for Sustainable Democracy and Inclusive Development in Liberia.”
It brings together former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, policymakers, civil society representatives, international partners, and key government officials to discuss critical issues affecting Liberia’s democratic landscape.
Earlier in her overview of the summit, Naymote Program Manager Alphia Faith Kemokai emphasized the importance of fostering inclusive governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring sustainable development in Liberia.
She noted that the summit would serve as a convergence point for diverse stakeholders government officials, political parties, civil society organizations, development partners, youth, and marginalized communities to assess the state of Liberia’s democracy, address its weaknesses, and chart a course toward more inclusive and accountable governance.
“This is a moment for reflection and decisive action a time to critically examine the trajectory of our nation’s democracy, define the Liberia we truly want, and take bold steps to safeguard our hard-won gains,” she said.
“The painful memories of our 14-year civil war must remain in the past, serving as a lesson in resilience rather than a recurring nightmare. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that history does not repeat itself but instead fuels our resolve to build a stable, inclusive, and accountable democracy that works for all Liberians,” she stressed.
Kemokai urged participants to engage with a spirit of collaboration, determination, and hope.
“Let this be a moment where we reaffirm our shared commitment to justice, accountability, and inclusive governance. Together, we can build a Liberia where every voice is heard, every right is protected, and every citizen has the opportunity to thrive,” she stated.
She emphasized the core focus of the summit: ensuring that democracy delivers real dividends for all Liberians.
This includes critically examining governance structures, assessing the effectiveness of policies, and exploring meaningful reforms to enhance public trust and institutional integrity.
