Monrovia – It’s five days to Liberia’s 172nd independence day celebration, and mixed views continue to swirl about plans to hold an elaborate ceremony.
Some Liberians are contending that the George Weah administration should avoid spending hundreds-of-thousands of monies on the impending event because the economy is challenged and there’s not much to celebrate in a country where its people are still grappling with poverty.
Celebrations like these come with a fat budget. So, critics of this year’s July 26 celebrations are calling on the government to use the money on other pressing issues.
However, others think commemorating the anniversary of Africa’s oldest independent state shows patriotism despite the upheavals.
FrontPageAfrica has been sampling the views of some Liberians in Monrovia.
Rachael Thompson, Vendor at Mechlin Street: “During the civil war and during the Ebola virus, we were celebrating July 26. And so now, there’s nothing like we are fighting a war or we are sick. We have to celebrate the July 26 because it is our tradition.
Whatsoever economic situation we are in when you work you will eat but if you sit down and put your hands between your legs you will say the time is hard or the country is hard.
Many people who are sitting down and crying had a relationship with past government officials and they were getting some money from those government officials, but we the business people, we have been selling from day one, and we have been eating.
Our children go to good schools, they eat and get tired. So, for us, we do not have a problem with what people say about the country’s economy if you work you will get money. The Bible says you should work and if you work you will benefit from your labor.
We came and met our parents celebrating this day; our children too will follow us in celebrating this day. I can remember on July 26, 2003, in Graystone. The fighters were throwing rockets, and we were still celebrating July 26. Even when rocket dropped in Graystones fence we were still cooking and eating and celebrating July 26. So, I do not see any reason for the government to cancel the July 26 celebration.”
Joseph B. Motor, Resident of Brewerville: “Celebrating July 26 is a normal routine. It is our tradition. So, we have to celebrate it, it should not be because of the economic hardship we should put stop to our Independence Day celebration. Will you say because you do not have food to eat then you will not take a bath? I say no.
For me, no matter whether you celebrate the July 26 in grand style or in your own weak way, we have to celebrate our country’s Independence Day.
Yes, we agree that we are in an economic situation that is bad but that just can’t stop our country’s Independence Day celebration. Being 172 years is something to celebrate.”
Oretha Weah, Coconut Vendor on Randall Street
“For what reason people want the President to cancel the 26 celebrations? We know that time is hard, but we will bear it and celebrate our Independence Day.
All the way people say time hard; when you hustle you can still get money. The people that do not want to work are the ones saying that the country is hard.
Every day, time hard, time hard, time hard, when you hustle, you will get something for you and your children to eat. During the time we were fighting war we celebrated our July 26. So, why should the government cancel it now when we are not fighting?
Here am I selling my coconut; I and [my] children can eat every day because I am hustling. So, we will celebrate our Independence Day. We will cook; our children eat and wear their 26 clothes.”
Boye George, Chairman of Liberia National Shoe Shine Union:
“It is true that money business is hard but celebrating July 26 is our custom. We have been practicing for many, many, years. So, it will not be a good thing for the government to cancel the Independence Day celebration.
For someone to say they do not have money to celebrate the July 26 is impossible. We have been planning for this day. It is not unaware; it is the day that we all are aware of. For someone to say they do not have food to eat for on Independence Day is impossible. Let us celebrate, let us make ourselves happy despite the economic situation.
From 1847, we are still in existence as a country so it is one of the greatest things we got to celebrate. Despite all the challenges, our country still moving on and I know that one day we will get somewhere. We will not wait to get billions of dollars before we can celebrate our Independence Day.
For our years of existence as a country, I think the Independence Day is worth celebrating. We must give thanks to God for our country. We fought a war; after the war, we had three presidential elections. Ebola’s virus came and it is gone. So, we are moving somewhere.
In the nearest future of Liberia, I see some progress, but we got to come together as a country because our national anthem says in union strong, success is sure.”
Washington Mojolo, Speaker of Liberia National Shoe Shine Union:
“Well, I do not see it necessary for the government to cancel this day. It is not because of the hard time we should cancel the celebration of our Independence Day. It will be so shame to us as a country.
Ebola was here during Ma Ellen time, and we still celebrated July 26. So, what’s about this day that there is no war or Ebola disease, at least we are facing hard-time but people are moving freely. The government will not cancel the day because of a few people who say the country is hard.
Liberia turning 172 years by itself is an achievement. Thank God for us reaching this far despite we are underdeveloped and also our economic hardship.”
Oretha Jallah, Vendor in Central Monrovia
“This is our country Independence we cannot cancel the celebration. Let the government celebrate the country Independence Day. Despite the poverty or hardship, we will celebrate our country Independence Day.
This is not strange to us. We were fighting, even during the Ebola virus; when the time reaches for us to celebrate our country Independence Day we celebrated.
So, hard-time or bad economy cannot stop this celebration. No need to cancel the celebration.
Since our country Independence, when it is not war, that hardship. Every leader we put into office will be corrupt, no correct leader. So, it is not strange to some of us. Let the government go ahead and celebrate the July 26.