MONROVIA: Amidst singing, dancing, scene of emotions and excited a monument erected in honor of the late President Samuel Kanyon Doe by the Grand Gedeh Associations in the Americas (GGAA) was on Saturday, May 6, 2023 unveiled in Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County, just as Liberia’s Ambassador to the European Union, Dr. Isaac Wheyee Nyenabo Sr called on Liberians to work towards genuine national reconciliation, national integrity, peace and mutual coexistence while also eulogizing the legacy of the late President.
Delivering the Keynote address at the occasion, Dr. Nyenabo who formerly served as President Pro Temp of the Liberian senate said Liberians should reflect on the brutal civil war and seek avenue to avoid the repeat of what happened to the nation, especially the untold human sufferings and mass destruction that rocked the country and lamented the war occurred during the leadership of the president for what he called “unjust reasons” and must be remembered for “his sacrifices and contributions” to the nation.
“We have gathered here on this historical day to celebrate, make history, to dedicate and unveil to the world what is not known about a man who led the activities that propped up the second republic of our dear motherland. To perfectly, unbiasedly present a hero who has been demonized by some and yet hailed by others. To do this, we must firstly historicize the name Samuel K. Doe and the nation Krahn.
“We also extend thanks and warmest felicitation to our brothers and sisters, the Grand Gedeh Associations in the Americas(GGAA) who conceived the idea of paying homage to our hero by erecting a monument in his honor”, he said.
He went on to enumerate some of the highlights of Doe’s achievements among them “had an inclusive government that inculcated the natives and the americo -Liberians, for the first time, government ministries and agencies that were housed in private homes were moved to government built structures, this agenda brought in the construction of the Ministry of Health, the National police headquarters, national police barrack, construction of improved military barracks nationwide, Central Bank of Liberia, National Housing Authority, the Pan African Plaza, National Archives Building, the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Highway in Grand Cape Mount County, linking Liberia and Sierra Leone, a lover of sports and had no turning back in ensuring sports development drive, thus, the construction of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in addition to hiring foreign coaches thereby putting Liberian football international scene, among others”
In his brief statement to turn over the monument to the county authority read on his behalf, Mr. James Youboty, President of GGAA said the “idea of erecting the monument came to me in a dream when a mysterious voice told me that the spirits of our departed ones from the senseless Liberian war are not resting eternally because they have no graves in large parts”
“Today, that dream has become a reality. The monument of our son is standing and waving majestically about 20 feet in the air for all to see that President Samuel Kanyon Doe and many of our departed sons have returned to our land of Mama Gedeh to rest perpetually. It is my prayer that this monument will bring closure to the hurts and void that befell our country”, Youboty said.
The unveiling of the monument was done by Mr. Randall Youboty, Chief Liaison Officer of GGAA and Madam Eva Youboty, one of the main financiers of the project and representative of the donors to the admiration of the huge crowd that turned out to celebrate the day.
“The monument is a gift from the Grand Gedeh Associations in the Americas for their patriotism and nationalistic services to Liberia’s existence and this USD125k project is not a mere monument given but all Liberians must emulate the good examples of honoring our past and present leaders to preserve history.
“We call on other counties like Nimba to see reasons of honoring their great leaders such as Jackson F. Doe, General Thomas G. Quiwonkpa, Moses Duopu, David Dwanyen, Patrick Biddle, Stephen Daniels as well as other heroes in Bong, Lofa, Bomi, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, etc,”, he said.
He called on the national government to erect a symbolic monument at the Providence Island with a dove descending to signify the end of the 14 year of hostilities and the birth of a peaceful co-existence. He explained about the symbolic 15 flags representing the 15 counties of Liberia and the American flag which represents the place of domicile of GGAA as well as the donors.
Also speaking at the occasion, Superintendent Kai Garlo Farley said he was excited to host such a great occasion in his tenure and praised the leadership of GGAA and donors for conceiving and funding the project.
Representative Erol Madison Gwion, Sr, of District #1, Grand Gedeh County and Secretary General of the County Caucus said it was a great day for the county and the country and a way to usher in a new national reconciliation and dialogue for the purpose of building a new Liberia.
One of the sons of the late President, Careca Doe expressed delight for the honor done to his father and family, stating that it was an emotional and historical day that will forever remain fresh in the minds of the family and the county.
“I also want to call on President George Manneh Weah and his government to kindly assist the family as it has not been easy for us since the death of our father who was the breadwinner. The war is over and we must all work towards the unity and development of the country”, he said.
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