At the opening of the November term of court in Grand Bassa County, Associate Justice Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. delivered a scathing critique of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), calling it “the most shameful and disgraceful Bar in Africa.” Although the LNBA is the oldest bar association on the continent, Justice Gbeisay noted that it continues to operate out of two cramped rooms on Ashmun Street in Monrovia. He argued that, despite its long history, the association has failed to make any meaningful strides toward improving its facilities or infrastructure. Justice Gbeisay questioned the LNBA’s moral authority, particularly in its criticism of the government, when it has not taken steps to address its own shortcomings. He pointed out that while it is common in Liberia to blame the government for various issues, individuals and organizations should first focus on improving their own circumstances before placing blame. The justice acknowledged the competence and success of many LNBA members, many of whom have built personal mansions. However, he urged them to focus on self-improvement and self-criticism rather than continuously directing their criticisms at the government. Justice Gbeisay suggested that if the LNBA’s members pooled their resources, they could construct a modern, multi-story office building to replace their current inadequate facilities, which he described as embarrassing for a profession with such educated and successful individuals. He also pointed out that many members of the LNBA hold advanced degrees, including Masters and PhDs, yet they have not used their expertise or resources to contribute to the country’s development. In a call to action, Justice Gbeisay encouraged the Bassa Bar to set an example for the National Bar. He expressed hope that the Bational Bar would follow the Bassa Bar’s lead, as the local branch had already purchased land and was planning to begin construction of its own headquarters. The Bassa Bar’s initiative to invest in its future infrastructure stands in stark contrast to the National Bar’s failure to modernize or improve its working conditions. By: ZahnDehdyugar/ Ablee-Jay TV