-As 16th Edition Takes Place Tomorrow
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA, Liberia — Scores of international guests arrived in Liberia on Saturday for the 16th edition of the Golden Image Award (GIA), Liberia’s premier national meritorious accolade scheduled for Tuesday at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
The ceremony, themed “Peace, Leadership, Investment, and Cultural Excellence,” has attracted global attention with delegates from over a dozen countries across four continents, including Barbados, Serbia, Japan, the UAE, Vietnam, The Gambia, Nigeria, and the United States.
Among the foreign dignitaries confirmed to attend are His Excellency Dickon A. T. Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas, Executive Governor of TarabaState, Nigeria; Mrs. Khalilah Camacho Ali, humanitarian and former wife of Muhammad Ali; and High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited, Nigeria.
Others are Hon. Gabe Okoye, Member of the Georgia House of Representatives; Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Chairperson of Ghana’s Parliamentary Security and Intelligence Committee; and Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
In a video message, Representative Okoye expressed regret at being unable to attend, stating, “Unfortunately, I will be absent from this prestigious Golden Image Award this year. I may be coming next time but I want to thank you so much. I also want to wish Liberia happy Independence Day celebration. May God bless Liberia.” His proxy, Francis Tucker Curley, arrived to receive the award on his behalf.
Originally endorsed by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleafand conceived in 2010 to support Liberia’s post-war image rebuilding, the awards honor those advancing peace, development, and community transformation. The first ceremony took place in 2011.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. serves as Convener for the 16th Edition, reflecting his commitment to national unity, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation. Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung will deliver the keynote address, while Speaker of the House Richard Nagbe Koon is designated to present citations and national honors.
The awards span 11 categories: Leadership Development, Investment, Democracy and Human Rights, Economic Diplomacy, Education, Gender Empowerment, Agriculture and Food Security, Peace and Security, Health and Sanitation, Arts and Culture, Heritage and Tourism, and Journalism and Multimedia.
The event has received major international endorsement through its alignment with the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Paris-based intergovernmental organization overseeing World Expos across 184 member states, has lent his support to the initiative, further cementing the GIA’s growing reputation as a globally recognized platform for honoring peacebuilding and cultural advancement.
The Foundation:
Founded in 2011 by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace under Ambassador Juli Endee, Traditional Queen of Liberia and Executive Director of the organization, the Golden Image Awards has become an annual cornerstone of Liberia’s Independence Day celebrations.
Previous recipients include former South African President Nelson Mandela, former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, senior officials of the United States Government, Moroccan leaders, and numerous international dignitaries.
The 15th edition, held on July 23, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, was hosted under the theme “Building Our Nation Together Through Reconciliation” with ECOWAS Resident Representative Madam Josephine Nkrumah as keynote speaker.
Other notable 2025 recipients included Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono, who made history as the first-ever Nimba Superintendent to win the National Superintendent of the Year award.
Additionally, other GIA recipients include current Youth & Sports Minister Cornelia Kruah, Emma Glassco, former head of Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Presidential Press Secretary Kulah N. Fofana, Amb. Deweh E. Gray and Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah.
Chief Success R. Carr, CEO of Royal Empire International, was also honored with the National Humanitarian Award for community development; and Liberian secular musicians S.I.O (Alfred Dorbor) and Faithvonic, who made history by becoming the first artists in their genre to win a Golden Image Award under the Arts & Culture category.
The award has also recognized respected Liberian figures from government, culture, sports, business, and community life.
The GIA medal carries profound symbolism. The globe represents Liberia’s place in the global community; the lady with traditional hair honors Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female president and the face of the award; and the peace symbol reflects Liberia’s post-war success story and commitment to domestic and global harmony.
Business leaders, academics, and peace advocates will join government officials at Tuesday’s ceremony, which aims to boost Liberia’s arts, tourism, youth innovation, and international partnerships while inspiring future generations toward peace and public service. The 2026 event promises a ceremony celebrating Liberia’s journey while inspiring its future through peace, leadership, investment, and cultural excellence.
