TRADITIONALLY, THE OCCASION marking the celebration of Liberia’s Flag Day, August 24, is characterized by joyous celebrations, patriotic displays, and expressions of national pride.
ON THIS HISTORIC day, the national ensign is traditionally raised over public and private buildings throughout the country. The uniqueness of the occasion continues to remind us of our sovereignty, liberty, and identity as an independent nation—one that should and must be counted among the civilized nations of the world.
IT CAN BE recalled that during the pre-war years, Flag Day celebrations were remarkable, given the spirit and enthusiasm that surrounded the occasion. There was a strong sense of love, unity, patriotism, and nationalism among Liberians.
AUGUST 24 ONCE again marked another milestone in our national journey. As Liberia celebrated 179 years as a nation and people, we were expected not only to count our years but also to reflect on the progress we have made in saying goodbye to the vestiges of war, confronting the virus of corruption, and strengthening democratic traditions in accordance with international best practices.
SADLY, HOWEVER, THE nation continues to bend under the weight of poverty, dangerous drugs, unchecked favoritism, tribal affiliations, cult affiliations, and other forms of group loyalty that have the potential to undermine the rule of law and promote the interests of a privileged few.
AS A RESULT, Liberia continues to grapple with numerous social, political, and economic vices that threaten the well-being and future of its people at every level.
ONE MAY THEREFORE be justified in describing Liberia as a nation still struggling to establish a solid foundation in its social, economic, and political systems. While Liberians are proud whenever they reflect on Liberia’s historic position as Africa’s oldest independent republic; that joy is often contaminated by the persistent social, political, and economic problems that continue to suppress national growth and development.
THE UNTOLD POVERTY, hunger, illiteracy, unemployment, corruption, and other social ills confronting the country cannot simply be ignored.
WHILE WE SALUTE the nation and its people on this historic occasion, we also seek God’s healing power in the face of the growing drug menace—a threat capable of further weakening an already vulnerable society. We are equally concerned about politicians who place personal interests and the pursuit of national wealth above the welfare of the vast majority of Liberians.
INDEED, WE SALUTE Liberia in tears because, unlike yesterday, when many of the social ills confronting the nation appeared less pronounced, the present reality has become increasingly troubling and treacherous.
THE FACT REMAINS that dangerous drugs are destroying the lives of innocent people, joblessness remains widespread, while poverty continues to place enormous pressure on families and communities.
THIS IS WHY we say Liberians are happy yet sad as they celebrate another Flag Day. We are happy because we celebrate our nation, our history, our sovereignty, and our identity. Yet we are sad because the very people who should enjoy the fruits of independence continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, drugs, corruption, and inequality.
WE THEREFORE URGE the government to treat the drug menace not merely as a challenge but as a national emergency requiring decisive and sustained action. At the same time, the government must confront other versions of the same national disease—including rampant corruption, abuse of public resources, favoritism, injustice, and the suppression of the less fortunate by the privileged few.
LIBERIA DESERVES MORE than Flag Day celebrations. Liberia deserves a future in which independence is reflected not only in our flags and ceremonies but also in the lives of ordinary citizens.
HAPPY FLAG DAY, Liberia. May God heal our land, strengthen our people, and guide our leaders toward justice, wisdom, accountability, and genuine national development.
