By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
/BONG
ActionAid Liberia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and its partners has concluded a one-day cultural festival celebration in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The cultural festival was intended to promote cultural activity and uphold heritage for the advancement of women’s rights working with local partners, with funding from the Swedish Embassy.
The event was geared toward promoting girls’ and women’s health rights and celebrating harmless cultural practices that tend to affect their lives and advancement.
The festival was held under the theme: “Celebrating Culture and Empowering Change.”
The one-day cultural celebration marks a pivotal moment in Liberia’s efforts to eliminate harmful traditional practices that affect women while preserving and promoting positive cultural traditions.
The festival is a bold pilot initiative to showcase the transformative shift away from harmful traditional practices toward those that honor human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls.
Madam Jasedeh Gbarzon, Rural Women President, Grand Gedeh County, who delivered the keynote address urged religious, and traditional leaders to protect/support the culture of Liberia.
Madam Gbarzon, at the same time, encouraged the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and its partners to promote positive cultural heritage for the overall improvement of the country’s tradition.
The Rural Women President for Grand Gedeh County further emphasized the need for traditional leaders to do away with harmful practices that have the propensity to undermine the Culture of Liberia.
Madam Gbarzon made special reference to FGM, something which she believes is a harmful part of the culture.
The cultural festival which commenced with a caravan parade was followed by rich cultural performances among Gbarpolu, Bong, Monsterrado, and Grand Gedeh Counties respectively.
At its core, the festival was more than a colorful display of traditional dances, songs, and attire—it was a strategic platform for reflection and advocacy.
However, after a huge cultural performance, Bong County was awarded by Liberia’s Art and Cultural Ambassador, Kekura Malawala Kamara for their outstanding performances in the competition.
Ambassador Kamara further highlighted the significance of cultural preservation in national development.
The cultural festival event which draws participants from Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, Bong, Gbapolu, and beyond, Amb. Kamara said it was intended to unite them in a call to honor Liberia’s rich cultural tapestry while confronting harmful practices still present in some rural communities.
He, at the same time, urged traditional leaders, civil society actors, youth groups, and local officials to contribute to ongoing dialogue on how culture can serve as a bridge—not a barrier—to empowerment and social progress.
The cultural festival celebration reinforced that this movement is not about rejecting heritage but reimagining it through a rights-based lens.
Willet L. Salue, ActionAid Liberia, who gave the highlights of the day, said the cultural festival’s key focus is on the issues surrounding cultural preservation, gender equality, and the rights of women and girls.
“Culture should not be used to limit women and girls,” Willet L. Salue emphasized. “We are not in competition with men. We want to reform harmful norms while respecting tradition.”
The ActionAid Liberia official echoed a shared commitment to use the cultural festival as a platform not only for cultural celebration but also for honest dialogue about the intersections of tradition, gender, and development.
Salue recognized the participation of the different cultural groups in the Culture Festival, exhibiting their talent and proudly representing their counties, in such an extraordinary performance, and promoting Positive Culture in Liberia.
The ceremony was attended by several local leaders, traditional leaders, the Chairman of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders, Arthur Gonwah, development partners, ActionAid Liberia Country Director, Madam Elizabeth Gbah Johnson, senior officials from the Government of Liberia, civil society leaders, members of the international community, and local partners.
Moreover, at the end of the cultural festival ActionAid Liberia, UN Agencies, Embassies (Sweden, Ireland), the National Culture Ambassador, and the Government (MGCSP. MIA) pledged their commitment to improving the culture and traditions of Liberia.