“With tears in my eyes, I launched Dark Freedom today at the YMCA Building on Crown Hill, Monrovia. Although, I had invited almost all government officials including senators and representatives, heads of public corporations and several line ministries to grace the occasion, no one appeared. Although, media institutions including the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) amongst others were invited, no one cared to attend. My effort to have the office of the Vice President and other key government offices to grace the occasion and even launch this book miserably failed. I thank God that only a few concerned individuals came to see me unveil the golden face of this book. What saddened my heart most was the zero presence of my home county Nimba. No minister, lawmaker or director attended. In any case, God kept my spirit unbent and my heart consoled. But God shamed those who are waiting to attend my funeral and give me my flowers while I’m gone. I made history and history also made me!!,” these were the discomforted comments of Liberian writer, F. Shelton Gonkerwon last Friday, November 21, 2025, when he was let down by stakeholders whom he expected to have grace the launch of a supplementary history reader written by him and approved by the Ministry of Education to be taught in high schools across Liberia.
Due to the failure of prominent invitees to turn out for the launch, there was suggestion by the caretaker of the conference room to defer the schedule to a later date, perhaps in January 2026 for the ceremony, but Rev. Moses N. Beah of the Good News Ministries Baptist Church sharply rejected the suggestion by encouraging the little audience to allow the launch take place as planned.
Just as gravely disappointed as Author Gonkerwon was, Rev. Beah said it was Nimba that has failed to honor the artistic work of a son of the county.
According to him, those destined by God to turn out at the book launch were the ones in attendance; adding, “Le’s launch the book…”
Rev. Beah also encouraged Mr. Gonkerwon not to be discouraged because people he expected to grace the ceremony failed to show up; already, he has succeeded in giving a written account of Liberia’s past that will be taught in schools in the country when he is dead and gone.
He further noted that the conspicuous absence of the number of stakeholders invited demonstrates that people; especially politicians are mostly interested in politics, marriage and mournful events to gain popularity.
What appeared very disdainful was said to be the presence of more citizens from other counties other than Nimba County which Mr. Gonkerwon has consistently demonstrated allegiance to and by extension Liberia.
He tactfully said: “ If it were my death, rest in peace treats would have filled facebook pages, but this ceremony is about a launch of a book written by me. I am not let down when I promote the images of politicians for the just cause. I appreciate those of you from the Kru, Kpelle and other tribes who even put thousands of United States Dollars into this endeavor….”