Liberia’s Independence Day: The Echoes of Opportunity and the Cry for Redemption

As Liberians gather once again to commemorate Independence Day around the globe, there is both celebration--eating the palm butter, cassa-leaves, pepper-soup, gravy, torborgee, etc, and lamentation echoing through the streets. One hundred seventy-eight years since proclaiming liberty, we are reminded of the divine opportunity God graciously granted this nation and people—a chance to become a beacon on the African continent, founded on faith, freedom, and self-determination. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made by our ancestors who fought tirelessly to carve out a nation that embodies the very essence of liberty. The air is thick with a mixture of joy for our hard-won freedom and sorrow for the challenges that still plague our society.

A Divine Gift, Squandered

God did not merely gift Liberia land, minerals and liberty—He gave a mission, a profound purpose that transcends mere existence. From the founding days of Providence Island, this soil was anointed to lead, inspire, and uplift not only its own people but also to serve as a guiding light to the rest of the African continent. However, far too often, the promise of this divine mission has been buried under the rubble of failed leadership, rampant corruption, and a lack of accountability. The resources of a nation rich in potential and natural wealth have trickled into the pockets of a privileged few, while the majority of the population struggles to access basic necessities—clean water, reliable electricity, quality education, and adequate healthcare—remaining a distant dream for many who yearn for a better life.

The Reality We Dare Not Ignore

Today as Liberians celebrate 178 years of a free nation, the reality is, the soul of the nation is bleeding, and the cries for help are growing louder. Substance abuse—particularly drugs—ravaging entire communities, hollowing out futures that were once filled with promise and hope. The insidious spread of HIV/AIDS silently devastates families, stripping them of their strength and tearing at the nation’s moral fabric. It’s not just a public health crisis; it’s a spiritual one that threatens to unravel the very essence of our society. Our streets mourn for the sons and daughters lost to addiction, for the leaders who abandoned their posts in times of need, and for the flickering hope that struggles to survive in the hearts of our youth, who deserve so much more than what they have been given.

A Sobering Reflection

This Independence Day must become more than a ceremonial tradition—it must be a moment of national thinking, a time to reflect deeply on our past and our present. We cannot pretend that flags and anthems alone honor the sacrifice of our founders; we owe them more than mere lip service. We owe God more than empty promises. It is imperative that we engage in honest conversations about the state of our nation, acknowledging both our achievements and our failures. Only through this introspection can we begin to forge a path toward healing, renewal and giving hope to generations.

Time Is Running Out

There’s no more room for complacency; the time for action is now. This generation has inherited the ashes of squandered chances, but it still holds the match to spark transformative change. The call is urgent: Build the city that shines, a place where water flows freely, where light banishes darkness, and where hope thrives beyond mere survival. We must fight the drug pandemic, find a way to stop the spread of AIDS. importantly, we must unite to create communities that foster growth, education, and prosperity for all, where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute to the collective good.

Let the future generations speak of this era not with pity, but with pride. That we rose from despair. That we answered God’s call. That when the clock began to run out, we ran toward redemption, determined to reclaim our destiny and fulfill the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Together, let us embrace the challenge of building a Liberia that reflects the dreams of our forebears, one that stands as a testament to resilience, unity, and unwavering faith in our shared future.

By 2a Communication and Consultancy, LLC.