— Liberia’s 178th Independence Day Orator Says, As Pres. Boakai, Bio Speak
By G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I & Vaye Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia – The Orator of Liberia’s 178th Independence Day Celebration and Presidential Special Envoy Emmett L. Dunn has made a compelling call to action, declaring that gender equality is not a concession to women but a basic human right essential for national progress. Dunn, delivering his oration under the theme “One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past, Building the Future,” on July 26, 2025, at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion, emphasized that systemic gender inequality continues to stifle Liberia’s growth, depriving the nation of its full potential.
“Women still face barriers at every turn—unequal pay, limited access to education and healthcare, unsafe public spaces, and exclusion from decision-making,” he stated. “We must do more than celebrate symbolic victories; we must dismantle these obstacles.”
He acknowledged Liberia’s historic example of women’s leadership, referencing former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s tenure as proof that women can govern effectively. However, he stressed that true progress requires more than representation at the top—it demands equal opportunities at all levels of society.
His words: “Gender inequality continues to rob our nation of its full potential. Women still face systemic barriers, from unequal pay to unsafe public spaces. We must do more to protect them, empower them, and include them. Liberia has already shown the world that women can lead, and lead well. But beyond symbolism, we must ensure that women have equal access to opportunity, education, healthcare, and safety. Promoting gender equality is not a favor to women, but a fundamental human right” Dunn asserted.
The envoy condemned the pervasive issue of gender-based violence, urging a relentless fight to protect women and girls from abuse. He said, “The fight against gender-based violence must be relentless. We must protect our daughters from abuse, our mothers and sisters from exclusion, and create spaces where their voices are not only heard but heeded.” He also highlighted the economic disparities that disproportionately affect women, particularly single mothers.
Dunn criticized absentee fathers who evade responsibility for their children, calling for stricter enforcement of Liberia’s Domestic Relations Law on child support. “The rearing of children is just not the responsibility of mothers alone. Fathers must take equal responsibility for caring and supporting the children they birth. Our legal system must support mothers who are struggling because of fathers who are not present in the lives of their children. Too many women are left with the burden of raising children alone,” he added.
At the same time, the Orator challenged the Liberian government to take bold steps, including policy reforms and stronger legal protections for women. However, he emphasized that change cannot rely on institutions alone—it requires a cultural shift. Government must join the fight by ensuring that the Domestic Relations Law on Support for dependents must be enforced. A country that empowers its women is a country that doubles its potential.”
Encouraging Economic Independence
Liberia’s 178th Independence Orator also called on the Government to confront the growing economic disparity that has kept the nation’s citizens impoverished in a land rich with natural resources.
Rev. Dunn raised the alarm on Liberia’s economic sovereignty, insisting that the time has come for the country to assert full ownership over its wealth.
“We cannot continue to celebrate political independence while foreign dominance of our economy remains the order of the day,” Dunn declared.
The envoy declared that true independence cannot exist without economic independence. He described the ongoing foreign domination of Liberia’s economy as a moral crisis, not just an economic challenge. The reality of widespread poverty, despite the nation’s abundant natural endowment, exposes a system where too many Liberians remain marginalized and foreign interests wield disproportionate control. “This is not just an economic injustice—it is a moral failure. We are poor not because we lack resources, but because we lack control,” he emphasized.
He asserted that Liberia must no longer stand by as an observer in its own economic affairs. “While foreign investment is welcome, it must not be at the expense of our dignity or our people’s future. We must be partners, not spectators, in our own development.”
The Independence Orator made the call for a new economic order where Liberians are not merely consumers, but creators and owners of wealth. He emphasized the urgent need to develop a robust middle class built on entrepreneurship, vocational training, professional excellence, and innovation, describing it as the backbone of any stable society.
“We cannot build a stable society when 90 percent of our people are consumers and only 10 percent are producers. That equation must change,” he warned.
Dunn offered bold policy directions to chart a new path forward. Central to this was the full enforcement of the Liberianization Policy. He warned that persistent violations and weak oversight have allowed foreign encroachment in sectors specifically reserved for Liberians, leading to the marginalization of local entrepreneurs.
The envoy demanded strict enforcement mechanisms, including licensing controls and penalties for violators, to ensure that Liberians reclaim and protect their space in the economy. “The Liberianization Policy is not a suggestion—it is a national mandate. We will no longer allow our laws to be treated as decoration,” Dunn stated firmly. He further proposed that all future foreign investment concessions must mandate equity participation by Liberians. This measure, he argued, would allow citizens to share in ownership, profit, and the long-term benefits of Liberia’s resources, thereby deepening economic sovereignty and indigenous wealth creation.
In addition, he called for a complete reform of the work permit process, insisting that foreign labor must only be considered when there is clear and proven unavailability of qualified Liberians. A transparent and merit-based system, he said, must become the standard to ensure fair labor practices and prioritize Liberian employment. “Any company that wants to do business here must include Liberians in ownership, not just employment. We are not asking for charity—we are demanding our rightful stake,” he added.
These measures, according to the envoy, would result in sweeping national benefits, from job creation and increased tax revenue to enhanced national pride and economic stability. He noted that local ownership would also improve transparency in business, accelerate capacity building, and foster intergenerational prosperity. “Economic empowerment is national empowerment. When Liberians own, Liberia grows,” he said.
“If we are serious about peace, we must be serious about prosperity. If we are serious about nation-building, we must build an economy for Liberians, by Liberians,” he concluded. He asserted that peace without prosperity is fragile, and a nation’s independence is hollow when its economy is owned by others, stating that Liberia must think of Liberia, love Liberia, and build Liberia, then it must also prioritize Liberians—unequivocally and without delay.
Pres. Boakai Addresses Economic Challenges
As flagged by the Orator, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai acknowledged the pressing issue of high living costs that continue to burden ordinary Liberians despite some economic improvements. Boakai expressed concern that while the economy shows signs of steady progress with increased agricultural production and improved infrastructure, many families still struggle with the high prices of basic necessities. He specifically noted that transportation costs remain prohibitive, prices for staple foods like flour and sugar stay elevated, and construction materials remain too expensive for most citizens to build homes or businesses.
The President pointed out the troubling disconnect between falling import costs and the persistently high prices consumers face in local markets. To address this urgent economic challenge, President Boakai announced the formation of a High-Level Presidential Ad Hoc Committee tasked with investigating these price disparities and recommending immediate solutions. He appointed Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to chair this committee, emphasizing Koung’s experience as both a public servant and businessman.
The President gave the committee a strict 45-day deadline to complete its work and submit actionable recommendations to stabilize market prices and restore fairness to Liberia’s economic system. While prioritizing these economic concerns, President Boakai also highlighted several areas of progress that demonstrate Liberia’s forward momentum. He reported that improved road networks are now providing better connectivity even during the challenging rainy season.
The President noted with satisfaction that increased agricultural output has driven down prices for locally grown rice and vegetables to their lowest levels in years. He also pointed to Liberia’s growing international stature, including its recent election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, as evidence of the nation’s rehabilitation on the global stage. Connecting economic recovery to national reconciliation, President Boakai emphasized this year’s Independence Day theme: “One People,
One Destiny: Healing the Past and Building the Future.” He reviewed several important steps taken toward national healing, including the respectful reburials of former Presidents William R. Tolbert Jr. and Samuel K. Doe Sr., and the issuance of a formal national apology for losses suffered during the civil wars. The President also revealed plans to construct a memorial that will honor both Liberian victims of the conflicts and the ECOWAS peacekeepers who helped restore stability to the nation.
In a moving segment of his address, President Boakai expressed profound gratitude to ECOWAS member nations for their crucial peacekeeping role during Liberia’s darkest days. He specifically acknowledged the sacrifices made by countries including Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, whose soldiers paid the ultimate price to help restore peace in Liberia. The planned memorial, the President explained, will serve as both a tribute to these sacrifices and a permanent reminder to future generations of the value of peace and unity.
Concluding his address, President Boakai called on all Liberians to set aside political and personal differences for the greater good of national development. He stressed that building a stronger Liberia requires cooperation across all segments of society. The President declared July 30 as a National Day of Prayer, inviting citizens of all faiths to join in reflection and spiritual renewal for the nation’s continued progress.
Pres. Bio Honors Liberia’s Resilience
In a address at the 178th Independence Anniversary, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio called for lasting peace. Speaking at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion under the theme “One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past, Building the Future,” President Bio reflected on the deep ties between Liberia and Sierra Leone.
President Bio began by recounting his first experience in Liberia as a young military officer with the ECOMOG peacekeeping force during the country’s civil war.
“I once stood on this sacred soil in uniform—not in ceremony, but in service; not as a visitor, but as a peacemaker,” he said. “I walked the streets of White Plains, Gardnersville and Monrovia Freeport within Montserrado County during a time of profound hardship.”
The President contrasted that memory with his current visit, noting: “To return now, in peace, as a guest of a sovereign and democratic Liberia, is a deeply personal and humbling experience.” Drawing from his military background, President Bio defined peace as more than just the absence of conflict. “For those of us who have worn military uniforms to safeguard the sovereignty of our nation…peace is never an abstract idea,” he stated. “Peace is a duty we live by. A dream we protect. A promise we defend with everything we have.”
He emphasized that “peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of dignity.” President Bio highlighted the deep connections between Liberia and Sierra Leone, describing them as “twin souls.” “Liberia and Sierra Leone are not just neighboring Republics on a map,” he said. “We are twin souls. Our rivers flow into each other. Our languages echo one another.” He recalled the mutual support during difficult times: “When your land trembled under the weight of war, we felt the tremors too. And when we cried out in our own agony, you mourned with us.”
The President paid tribute to Sierra Leonean peacekeepers who served in Liberia, acknowledging that “some never came home” while others “returned forever changed.” He praised Liberia’s democratic progress, noting: “Since the end of the civil war, you have successfully and peacefully transferred power from the incumbent political party to the opposition party, honoring the will of the people.”
As current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bio called for stronger regional cooperation: “Let the Mano River Union not remain a bureaucratic structure but become a living promise of solidarity,” he urged. “Let our borders bind, not divide.” He concluded with a message to Liberia’s youth: “To the youth of Liberia: know that your freedom was purchased at great cost. Honor it in every choice you make.” The 178th Independence Day Celebration brought together government officials, diplomats, and citizens to honor Liberia’s history and chart a path forward.
