Author Freeman Launches “Echoes of War” at UL -Calls for Reflection on Lessons from Conflict

By George C Flomo 

The Capitol Hill campus of the University of Liberia on last Saturday was filled with writers, academics, government officials, students, and members of the Ghana Alumni Association as Liberian author Foley Freeman officially launched his latest novel, Echoes of War. The book, which retraces the human scars of Liberia’s bloody civil war, received an emotional welcome from the audience, who described it as both a literary achievement and a call to national reflection.

Born and raised in Yekepa, Nimba County, Freeman experienced firsthand the devastations of war, including the loss of his father. His new novel, centered on the character Jowee, sheds light on the often-forgotten victims of conflict — those who never took up arms but whose lives were nonetheless permanently altered.

“One thing that prompted me to write this book is to look at the situation in our country,” Freeman told the audience. “People often think war comes suddenly, but it begins with the small things going wrong. When those small things are ignored, they grow into something catastrophic.”

Freeman, who holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and is a Chartered Accountant, has worked with major national and international institutions, including the Central Bank of Liberia, the General Auditing Commission, and the Maritime Authority. Yet, he insists that writing has always been his deepest calling.

“I was born to write,” he said. “Even in the heat of war, I was typing manuscripts. I have written more than a hundred children’s stories and several novels. Writing is my way of documenting our struggles and hopes.”

A Story of Resilience and Hard Truths

The book’s chairman, Atty. Dr. Samora P. Z. Wollokollie, former Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, described Echoes of War as a powerful testament to resilience.

“The book is more than a story of war; it is a hymn to resilience,” Wollokollie said. “It follows Jowee from her shattered childhood in Monrovia to refugee life in Ghana, showing us that behind the political events are ordinary people enduring unimaginable hardship — yet still daring to hope for a place called home.”

He emphasized that Freeman’s narrative captures not only the Liberian experience but also a universal human struggle. “Echoes of War belongs to all of us who listen for the echoes and choose to respond with passion and action,” Wollokollie declared as he officially launched the book.

Echoes of Division

Freeman admitted that one of the most challenging aspects of writing was addressing Liberia’s tribal divisions, which deepened during the conflict.

“Growing up in the ’80s, we never cared who was Mano or Gio. We entered each other’s homes freely,” he reflected. “But the coup changed that. Friendships collapsed under the weight of tribal sentiments, and that was painful to write about because some of my closest friends were from different groups.”

He also noted that although he had hoped for a positive ending, the story could not ignore Liberia’s harsh realities. “The question I want readers to ask is: Do we truly love this country, or are we just here because we have nowhere else to go?” he asked.

Academic Voices of Support

In his remarks, Hon. Moses Zinnah, Assistant Professor at the University of Liberia and an author, praised Freeman’s courage in writing about such sensitive subjects.

“They say Liberians don’t like to read, but I don’t think that’s true,” Zinnah said. “Today’s turnout proves that we are beginning to learn to support each other. Literacy remains the strongest foundation for any society, and works like this help us reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going.”

Zinnah also underscored the importance of nurturing a culture of reading among young people. “The little things we learn early — respect, discipline, and gratitude — shape how we build our nation. Mr. Freeman’s work is a reminder of that truth.”

A Call to Learn from the Past

Freeman concluded with a sobering message: Liberia risks repeating the mistakes of the past if the country fails to confront its history.

“I want people to know that history can repeat itself in very nasty ways. We put the guns down, but we are still walking the same path. If we are not careful, it may not be the same magnitude, but we could see a repeat,” he warned.

Echoes of War is now available for the public, and Freeman hopes it will serve as a mirror for Liberians to reflect on their shared past and as a guidepost for building a more united future.