Monrovia – The Concerned Citizens Movement of Liberia has criticized the Liberian Government for inviting Pastor Paula White-Cain, a senior faith adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, to participate as a featured guest in Liberia’s 179th Independence Day Celebration scheduled for July 26 in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh [email protected]
The government recently announced that Pastor White-Cain had been invited as a special guest for the national celebration.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah explained the basis for the invitation, stating: “Her visit reflects the longstanding relationship between President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Pastor White-Cain.”
Government officials also noted that Pastor White-Cain previously prayed for President Boakai during a meeting in Washington, D.C., and again during the 2025 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, citing those interactions as part of the relationship that led to her invitation.
However, in a press release issued Wednesday, July 22, the head of the Concerned Citizens Movement, Rev. Sekou Trokon Sirleaf, said Liberia’s Independence Day Celebration should showcase the country’s finest values and representatives.
According to Rev. Sirleaf, as Liberia prepares to commemorate 179 years of independence, the country has a unique opportunity to present to the international community the values, history and aspirations that have defined Africa’s oldest republic.
“It is in that spirit that I respectfully express my disappointment with the reported decision to invite Pastor Paula White as a featured guest for this historic national celebration,” Rev. Sirleaf said.
He continued: “Independence Day is more than a ceremonial occasion. It is a moment when Liberia reflects on its past, honors those who sacrificed for our nation, and casts a vision for the future. The individuals we invite to stand on that platform should embody values that unite our people, strengthen our international standing, and inspire confidence across our diverse society.”
Rev. Sirleaf argued that Liberia is home to many respected religious leaders who have dedicated their lives to serving the nation and promoting peace and reconciliation.
“Our nation has produced respected bishops, pastors, evangelists, theologians, and faith leaders whose ministries have positively impacted Liberia and beyond,” Rev, Sirleaf stated.
“If the Government believes a spiritual voice should be part of this year’s celebration, there is no shortage of qualified Liberian men and women of faith who could lead our nation in prayer and reflection with authenticity and deep understanding of our history and our people,” he asserted.
Rev. Sirleaf also launched a sharp criticism of Pastor White-Cain’s association with U.S. President Donald Trump.
He added: “As the spiritual advisor of Donald Trump, a racist and wannabe dictator, Paula White epitomizes Trump, the most corrupt president in America’s history; a twice-impeached, adjudicated rapist, who as of last. week paid almost six million Dollars to E. Jean Carroll for being found guilty by a jury of his peers for raping her.”
He questioned whether the Liberian Government conducted a background check before extending the invitation, arguing that publicly available information raises concerns about her suitability to participate in the country’s premier national celebration.
Rev. Sirleaf further asked: “Are you (government) inviting her to advise you ahead of time and coach you on how to reject the election result in 2029 when the Unity Party (UP) loses (because, with the path you’re on, you will lose) and how to stage an insurrection to overturn that result? Because I cannot see an endgame here – what Liberia stands to benefit from her visit. Since 2005, we’ve had four successive peaceful elections, and we want to keep it that way. Paula White is bad for Liberia, and I humbly request an immediate revocation of her invitation.”
Calling on the government to reconsider its decision, Rev. Sirleaf stated: “I therefore respectfully encourage the Government of Liberia to reconsider this invitation and instead highlight the remarkable contributions of Liberia’s own faith leaders and other distinguished sons and daughters who have faithfully served our nation and whose participation would unite rather than divide.”
As Liberia prepares to celebrate its 179th Independence Anniversary, Rev. Sirleaf said the nation should remain focused on its own people rather than personalities from abroad.
“It has always rested in the resilience, faith, determination, and character of the Liberian people themselves,” Rev. Sirleaf said.
