President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has unveiled an ambitious national agenda to strengthen the identity through Liberian-led historical leadership.
Boakai declared that a nation, which understands its history, is better equipped to shape the future.
He delivered a keynote address during the 179th Independence Anniversary celebration under the theme: “Strengthening National Identity Through Liberian-Led Historical Leadership.”
Pres. Boakai said, the independence of a country should be more than a celebration of sovereignty.
He described the celebration as an opportunity to reflect on the country’s past, appreciate a shared heritage, and build a united future grounded in national pride, and historical truth.
Boakai praised the resilience of the Liberian people, adding that despite nearly two centuries of political, economic, and social challenges, the nation has preserved its sovereignty, and remained a symbol of freedom as Africa’s first independent Black Republic.
He urged citizens to embrace the country’s unique history, which combines the traditions of indigenous communities, the experiences of freed Africans from the Americas, and the Caribbean, and enduring ties with the African Diaspora.
Pres. Boakai recalled how Liberia’s identity is rooted in its republican values, cultural diversity, love of freedom, and resilience.
He said, these principles must guide governance, national development, and the vision for the future.
Strengthening national identity, Boakai said, remains inseparable from nation-building, and requires the collective participation of every Liberian.
As a major policy pronouncement, Boakai launched the National Historical Recovery, and Repatriation Initiative; a government program that will work with international universities, archives, and cultural institutions to recover, and repatriate copies of Liberia’s historical records currently held abroad.
The initiative, he said, will allow Liberians to regain access to the documentary foundations of their national memory.
Pres. Boakai also announced plans to modernize the National Archives, and the National Museum by improving infrastructure, digitization, preservation systems, and public access for researchers.
He further directed the establishment of an intergovernmental technical committee to assess the future restoration, and modernization of the historic Kendeja Cultural Center, as part of the national heritage program.
Boakai pledged to revive the National History Project, first recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to ensure that the history is documented through professional research that reflects the experiences of all communities.
He said, the project would remain independent of political influence, and be led by Liberian historians, archivists, anthropologists, archaeologists, linguists, educators, and other scholars, with support from international partners.
He also underscored the importance of credible scholarship.
Pres. Boakai warned against misinformation, and urged universities, museums, archives, and research institutions to serve as guardians of national memory.
