By Laurina B. Lormia
President Joseph Boakai has reassured Liberians of his unwavering commitment to building a new Liberia, where every citizen can share in the country’s prosperity.
Speaking at the country’s 177th Independence Day celebration, President Boakai emphasized that, his administration is focused on fostering an inclusive environment where every Liberian has the opportunity to thrive.
“Building a new Liberia should not be just a dream; Liberians must promise themselves and future generations to work toward creating a nation where every citizen can prosper,” he stated.
According to him, building that new Liberia is not just about the infrastructure the government will build and the policies they draw up; it is also about fostering a culture of unity and respect. It is about celebrating our diversity as a source of strength, not division and it is about listening to each other, learning from the past, and forging a future where every Liberian can contribute their talents and ideas to the collective success.
The President expressed, “The new Liberia must be a society where every citizen has equal educational opportunities, ensuring that every child has access to quality education regardless of their location in the country.”
“It entails creating employment opportunities with fair wages, lifting families out of poverty, and empowering Liberian entrepreneurs to innovate and grow. The new Liberia must prioritize inclusivity, allowing citizens to participate fully in the decision-making process that affects their well-being.” President Boakai narrated.
“As Liberians celebrate the 177th anniversary of its independence, they honor and remember the sacrifices of those who came before them, including the founding fathers who envisioned a land of freedom, liberty, and justice. They also pay tribute to the champions of democracy who followed,” he added.
He said, “As you look around, you will see that not everyone can enjoy the freedom and sovereignty that the country independence promises. Many people still suffer from hunger, homelessness, illness, poverty, and injustice.”
“What good is our freedom and independence when so many of our fellow citizens are struggling, It’s time for us to embrace the true values of freedom and work together to provide opportunities for every Liberian to live a dignified life in our country,” he questioned.
The Liberian leader stated, “Liberia is a country with a rich history, but it has been slow to progress. Liberians have the chance to change the direction of their country and move away from the self-imposed struggles they have faced since gaining independence 177 years ago.”
Liberia has great potential, and it’s the citizens’ responsibility as the current generation to take advantage of this opportunity and improve the country so that everyone has a better chance at a good life.
“Now is the time for Liberians to come together and use their collective strengths to propel Liberia towards an inclusive future. The decisions they make today will leave a lasting impact for generations to come,” he pointed out
“This is why this year’s theme for our independence celebrations, “Building a New Liberia for All Liberians,” cannot be more appropriate,” he asserted.
However, he reminded, “Liberia is at a crucial moment in the nation’s history. Liberians have a rare opportunity to come together and truly embody the meaning of freedom, and to build a nation that reflects the diversity of Liberia. Let’s work towards creating a country we can be proud to pass on to future generations.”
The Liberian leader said, “History has placed Liberians at the confluence of a turbulent past and a hopeful and prosperous future. Liberians either look back and do business the way they have done it for decades and fail their people, or look forward, setting their face like a flint in an onward march to transform its country despite the historical challenges and other foundational problems.”
The structure of Liberia economy has led to significant inequality, which has fueled social tensions and conflicts. Furthermore, a small group of people have exploited the government for their personal gain.
“These and many other factors have contributed to tensions, creating divisions in society based on wealth, class, ethnicity, and other factors that lead to conflicts.” President Boakai noted.
Meanwhile, he expressed his gratefulness for the opportunity to serve as the leader of this country during this crucial time, caught between a challenging past and a hopeful future. Seeing this moment in the history as a turning point to leap with faith, as Liberians strive to transition from the past to the future.
He then pledged his personal commitment and that of his government to provide the space for Liberians to work together across political, economic, and social divides to bring about positive change for all.
