President Weah’s July 26 Address

SPECIAL MESSAGE
BY
H. E. DR. GEORGE MANNEH WEAHPRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE OBSERVANCE OF THE 172nd INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARYOF THEREPUBLIC OF LIBERIA MONROVIA, LIBERIAJULY 26, 2019

His Excellency Alassane Dramane O uattara, President of the Republic of La Cote D’Ivoire;
His Excellency Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea;

His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal;

His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone;

His Excellency Roch Marc Christian Kabore,
President of Burkina Faso

Her Excellency Madam Clar M. Weah, First Lady of the Republic of Liberia;

Her Excellency Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia;

Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia, and Nobel Laureate;

Hon. Joseph Boakai, Former Vice President of Liberia;
Hon.Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives;

Hon. President Pro-Tempore and Members of the Senate;

His Honor the Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and Members of the Judiciary;

The Dean and Members of the Cabinet;

The Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Bishops, Prelates, and Members of the Clergy;Chiefs and

Traditional Leaders;Political and Business Leaders;
Officials of Government;

Madam Leymah Gbowee, National Orator and Nobel Laureate;

Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank;
Other Special Guests;

Marketers, Students; Members of the Fourth Estate;
My Fellow Citizens;

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

On this day each year, we commemorate the anniversary of the independence of our great patrimony as a sovereign nation, in fulfillment of our patriotic duty.

As we gather here today to celebrate the 172nd Independence Day of Liberia, let us begin by giving thanks and praise to the Almighty God, for the protection and many blessings that He has bestowed upon our Nation, and upon us as a People.

His goodness and mercy have followed us throughout these seventeen decades of statehood, shielding us from the many dangers that have threatened our national existence. Inspite of our own shortcomings and weaknesses, He has kept us united as One People.

God’s great faithfulness has given us comfort in times of storm, and hope in periods of despair. And so today, we give Him the Glory, for the great things He has done!

EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED LADIES ANDGENTLEMEN:
Today, we are greatly honored, and pleased, to welcome several Heads of State, who have taken the time out of their busy schedules to join the People of Liberia in celebrating this Independence Anniversary. Excellencies, on behalf of my fellow citizens, and in my own name, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you sincerely, for this gesture of solidarity, goodwill and support for Liberia.

Ladies and Gentlemen, pleased now ask you to rise as a gestureof respect, and give a whole-hearted welcome to each of our guests, my colleagues and big brothers from our Economic Community of West African States, as I call their names:

1. His Excellency Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of the Republic of La Cote D’Ivoire;
2. His Excellency Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea;
3. His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;