Liberia’s Arts and Culture Ambassador, Kekura Malawala Kamara, issued a stirring call for national cohesion and cultural revival during an address at the University of Liberia’s Auditorium on Tuesday, marking this year’s National Unification Day under the theme, “New Frontiers for a Safe and United Liberia.”
The event, hosted by the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation, brought together students, faculty, policymakers, and community leaders in a shared reflection on the nation’s journey toward peace and inclusivity.
“Unification is not a destination. It is a journey—a sacred, sometimes difficult, but ultimately rewarding walk toward a shared destiny,” Ambassador Kamara declared in his keynote address. “It begins in our hearts, is nurtured in our homes, and takes root in our institutions.”
Tracing the origins of National Unification Day back to its founding in 1960, Ambassador Kamara emphasized the day’s continued relevance amid Liberia’s evolving social and political landscape. He warned that the divisions of tribe, class, and ideology remain obstacles to progress unless confronted with intentional solidarity and renewed commitment.
The ambassador identified culture as a central vehicle for healing and unity.
“Our songs, dances, languages, proverbs, stories, crafts, and rituals are not relics of the past,” he said. “They are living expressions of our identity, tools of reconciliation, and instruments of peace.”
Kamara outlined four strategic national initiatives spearheaded by his office to harness culture as a catalyst for unity:
1. Ratification of Eight UNESCO Cultural Conventions—The conventions aim to safeguard Liberia’s tangible and intangible heritage while opening doors for international collaboration and investment.
2. Development of a National Arts and Culture Policy—A framework currently being finalized will be inclusive of voices from all regions, designed to empower artists, cultural practitioners, and traditional leaders.
3. Launch of the National Arts and Culture Counties Festival in December 2025— A national showcase of Liberia’s cultural diversity meant to inspire unity and national pride.
4. Integration of Arts and Culture into the National Education Curriculum—In partnership with the Ministry of Education, this initiative seeks to make young Liberians culturally literate and aware of their heritage from an early age.
To the students of the University of Liberia and youth nationwide, Ambassador Kamara issued a heartfelt charge: “You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are the moral compass of today… Use your talents to build bridges, not walls.”
The address ended with a patriotic appeal for national solidarity: “Let us go forward—not as strangers divided by history, but as citizens united by hope.”
As Liberia continues to navigate its postwar reconstruction and nation-building efforts, Kamara’s message underscored that a united Liberia will not be built by infrastructure or policy alone, but by a collective embrace of the country’s cultural soul.
