ANC Political Leader Alexander Benedict Cummings write…

Liberia at 179: A Call to Fix Our Systems and Secure Our Future

Fellow Liberians, distinguished friends of our Republic:

Tomorrow, as we mark 179 years of our Country’s independence, we celebrate the courage, resilience, and hope of our people. But true independence isn’t just about speeches and parades—it is a time for honest reflection.

Liberia was founded on a promise of liberty, justice, and opportunity for ALL. Yet for too many of our market women selling under the hot sun, our youth searching for honest work, and our families striving for a better life, that promise remains unfulfilled.

I am convinced that our biggest challenge is simple: our institutions are failing us.

Look at what is happening around us:

Massive cocaine busts—like the 198 compressed plates intercepted at RIA and nearly 4,000 kg seized in Duazon—show how deeply illegal drugs threaten our security.

Law enforcement officials implicated in drug deals;

Illegal mining that sparks border tensions with Guinea.

A total lack of transparency over major projects, like the Foya building construction.

These are not isolated mistakes; they are symptoms of weak systems and leadership deficits. When institutions fail, corruption thrives, and ordinary Liberians suffer.

So, what should we actually do? We must build strong institutions that work for the people, not the powerful. This means:

Courts where justice is blind—where a high-ranking official and an everyday citizen face the exact same law.

Security forces that protect our communities, rather than enabling drug traffickers or taking bribes.

Anti-corruption agencies with real teeth—empowered to investigate, prosecute, and recover stolen public funds.

Transparent government systems that ensure our tax dollars build schools, hospitals and roads instead of lining private pockets.

Strong institutions and systems are not abstract ideas; they are the shields that protect our families and secure our children’s future.

No matter our party, tribe, or county, our destiny is bound together. Liberia deserves better. Our youth deserve opportunity. Our democracy deserves integrity. Together, let us demand accountability, repair our broken systems, and build a nation where governance truly serves the people.

Happy Independence Day, Liberia! May God bless us all, and may God save the State!