Baptist Deacon Cautions Political Parties’ Operations Without Permanent Headquarters

A Baptist Deacon has cautioned that Liberia’s democratic process risks instability if political parties continue to operate without owning permanent headquarters.

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By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway

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Speaking at a press briefing in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, Deacon/Lic. P. Oxford Brown, Sr., described the trend as a “grave political issue” undermining institutional growth, organizational stability, and public trust in political parties.

Deacon Brown, who is also the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, pointed to recurring evictions of major parties including the ruling Unity Party (UP) in September of 2022 and the immediate former ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) on August 23, 2025.

These examples he said are the dangers of political movements/parties relying on rented spaces.

“A political party’s headquarters is more than just a building; it is the nerve center of its operations and the physical embodiment of its identity,” Brown stressed.

“When parties depend on rented premises, they expose themselves to sudden disruptions that weaken their credibility and capacity to function effectively.”

Speaking in the capacity of a concerned Liberian, he outlined six consequences of not owning permanent headquarters, including political instability, damaged public perception, loss of operational efficiency, lack of long-term investment, weakened party unity and reduced electoral preparedness.

The MYS Press Bureau Director noted that the inability of parties to secure their own facilities raises serious questions about their competence to manage national governance, asking “If a party cannot maintain its own headquarters, how can it convince the people it can run a country?”

Brown urged the National Legislature and the National Elections Commission to enact laws mandating all political parties to own permanent headquarters. This, he said is part of the reform process of Liberia’s political landscape.

‘‘I am not going to end on this note; I will liaise with my lawyer to draft a petition that I will present to the National Legislature through its relevant committees,” he told the news conference.’’

Specifically, he appealed to the NEC to amend the elections law to prohibit reliance on rented properties.

“This reform will guarantee institutional stability, protect parties from eviction and embarrassment, and strengthen Liberia’s democratic culture for generations to come,” The Baptist Deacon maintained.