The President of Liberia, Dr. George Manneh Weah, has challenged Liberians to rise to the occasion of overcoming prevailing hurdles and setbacks facing the nation towards building a just and prosperous nation.
President Weah rallied Liberians both at home and abroad to begin to play their part so that Liberia rises from the ashes of backwardness to the hilltop of prosperity.
In a special National Flag Day Statement to the nation delivered Tuesday, August 24, 2021, the President urged citizens to continue to celebrate everything God has graciously given them as a people.
“We must continue to celebrate all that we ourselves have done to be where we are today, as One Nation, united under God,” the President admonished Liberians. “Most importantly, we must continue to celebrate the Peace that we now enjoy, which creates a conducive atmosphere for the development which we see taking shape across the country.”
He said this present generation of citizens must work to prepare a better nation for future generations.
In order to realize this goal, the Liberian Chief Executive declared that his administration will continue to take steps in the direction of creating a better environment for young Liberians to prepare themselves, and get ready to take full advantage of the opportunities that are certain to present themselves, both now, and in the future.
On this 174th National Flag Day, the President particularly encouraged Liberian students to take their education very seriously, because it is the key to a better future.
Dr. Weah said: “With the major policy changes we have initiated, we are beginning to turn around the negative narrative about the Liberian education system. As a leader who believes in the importance of education, I could not sit by and watch our students continue to fail their WASSCE examinations, while falling behind their counterparts in the region.”
The President assured the nation that his government will continue to pay the WASSCE fees for 12th graders, provide financial support for their tutorial classes, while also ensuring that the free tuition policy at the state-run universities and all public colleges in the country is being fully implemented.
“We have to make other interventions to eliminate those barriers that made it hard for students to study. These measures are intended to ease the financial burden on parents and motivate our children to stay in the classroom,” the President declared.
He accordingly called on all students to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them, pledging also to continue to listen to students in determining how the government can improve their educational experience, such as improving school facilities, having more qualified teachers in the classrooms, and having better instructional materials.
At the same time, the President urged citizens to continue to show respect for the rule of law and for the legal authorities.
President Weah observed that too often these days “we have seen people go beyond their right to free and peaceful assembly and engage in the destruction of private and public property. This is unacceptable”.
“You may recall that from the onset of my Administration, I committed to ensuring that the democratic rights of everyone will be guaranteed, regardless of who they are. We remain committed to that pledge,” he continued.
He reminded citizens of the significance of balancing the need to have a peaceful and stable society where rights are guaranteed, against those who would use those rights to infringe upon the rights of others.
He said Liberians must stand firm in claiming the future together, in order to see Liberia rise again.
“And we must be aggressive about saving Liberia from those who are aggressive about destroying it. I admonish you to love your flag, for it symbolizes our identity and way of life,” he stressed. “Liberia remains our common patrimony. Whatever our differences, the need to guarantee a better future for our children must stand paramount,” President Weah noted.
He said it is unthinkable and unacceptable to reverse the gains made after enjoying close to two decades of peace, adding: “I am convinced that we shall continue to overcome every trial and tribulation, as we strive to make Liberia a better place.”
President Weah urged Liberians to bear in mind that the Lone Star is the symbol of Peace and National Unity.
