Independence Day Message

Stephen Johnson

My fellow citizens….

I bring you warm felicitations as we celebrate yet another year of independence! I am delighted not merely because today makes Liberia 164 years but because I am grateful to God Almighty to be alive in this generation and have the strength to contribute my professional quota towards the development of our common patrimony, Liberia . This celebration calls for a time of sober reflection on our history that is plunged with seas of internal contradictions.

We should use the as a period to also do a comprehensive analysis in realizing where we have come from, where we are and where to hope to go as a people with one voice. It is a time for us also to do an inventory of the many successes, failures and challenges we have both as individuals and as Liberians in general.

We must begin to address the fundamental question; what can I do to help my country? We must also indentify ways in which we can emancipate our country from years of degradation and underdevelopment to a pinnacle of development, long lasting peace and above all, grassroots exhilaration-I must commend the present government for taking the lead.

We must reinvigorate ourselves with the fortitude and courage to effectuate the much needed changes that would propel a robustly radical paradigm shift. We also must do a fair assessment of ourselves taking into consideration our assets and liabilities and derive a net-worth that can be harnessed for the betterment of Liberia . This should be our focus and this should be the drive which leads us as we go through the festivities.

Let us remember, that the road towards nation building and national renewal is rocky, steep and difficult to navigate but in unity and with one voice, this herculean task can be attained. Let us also remember to care for one another, show love where there is hate, compassion where there is sorrow and help a fallen comrade when you can.

Let us pray for Liberia especially in the coming months and most importantly as we go to the polls to make a decision to determine who steers our country for the next six years. Let us also pray for those that are sick, bereaved and going through times of difficulties and let us also pray for our leaders so that God will grant them the wisdom and courage as they lead us.

Towards this end, my family and I wish you all a Happy Independence and God’s richest blessing upon you all remembering that in union strong, success is sure.

May the Lord Almighty bless the works of our hands and save the state!