Opening Day of Monrovia Week 2025: A Grand Celebration of Heritage and Progress

Written by Dr.Clarice Ford-Kulah

February 12, 2025, marked the grand commencement of Monrovia Week, a historic and vibrant celebration of the capital city’s 201st founding anniversary and the 29th observance of Monrovia Day. Under the Chairmanship of Madam Hesta Baker and leadership of  City Hall’s COS Madam Charlene Carey, this week-long festivity, running from February 12-16, 2025, was inaugurated with a spectacular parade led by the dynamic Mayor, Hon. John-Charuk Siafa, alongside distinguished guests, dignitaries, and community leaders.

The parade, which began at Broad Street and culminated at Monrovia City Hall, showcased the city’s rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Participants included the Monrovia City Police, local schools, various cultural troupes, masked dancers, the Central Monrovia Band, the Liberia National Police Band, and a host of other vibrant groups. Notably, the “I Am Not A Zogo, I Am A Liberian” movement was also in attendance, spreading their message of unity and empowerment.

Upon arrival at City Hall, attendees were greeted with a warm welcome reception and a delightful breakfast, setting the stage for an enriching indoor celebration. The formal program commenced with an address by Mayor Siafa, who introduced the theme for this year’s celebration: “The Monrovia We Want.” Emphasizing the need for a more beautiful, resilient, and sustainable Monrovia, he declared, “As your mayor, I am unequivocally committed to revitalizing Monrovia.”

A key highlight of the event was the reading of President Joseph N. Boakai’s official speech, delivered by Minister Jerolimik Piah in his stead, officially declaring Monrovia Week open. This was followed by a remarkable Fireside Chat featuring some of Liberia’s most brilliant historians, including Dr. Elwood Dunn (through proxy), Dr. Patrick Burrowes, Dr. Jacien Carr, Dr. Elijah Zehyoue, and Mrs. Kau Fahnbulleh who engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on “Early Liberia: From Antiquity to 1824.”

The celebration reached new heights with the presentation of Monrovia: The Musical, a compelling drama chronicling the founding and naming of Monrovia in 1824. Written by Dr. Clarice Ford-Kulah, directed by Dr. Kulah, Prince Myers Ponders, and Eddie Watson, the musical was performed by the Liberia Movie Union with special guest appearances from Rudolph and Carlos Antoune, the Providence Baptist Church Praise Dancers, SLAD, the Culture Union, and the Providence Baptist Church Choir. This artistic showcase captivated the audience, bringing Liberia’s rich history and culture to life.

Following the indoor program, the festivities moved outside to a vibrant Made in Liberia Fair, which featured an impressive display of locally made goods and crafts. A lively stage remained packed with performances throughout the day, and the celebration culminated in a spirited Jollof Rice Competition, where various African embassies showcased their culinary skills.

Monrovia Week continued with an exciting lineup of events, including:

• February 13 – A roundtable discussion on good governance, environmental sustainability, and community development featuring Deputy Mayor of Freetown, Kweku Melvin Sheldon Lisk, Esq.

• February 14 – An intercessory prayer service for Monrovia’s future.

• February 15 – The launch of the Think Green, Act Clean campaign by Vice President Jeremiah Koung, followed by community football and kickball matches.

• February 16 – The grand finale: a worship service at the historic Providence Baptist Church in the morning, and an awards dinner in the evening at the Monrovia City Hall. At this prestigious event, Mayor Siafa honored outstanding citizens for their contributions to the city and officially launched the Monrovia Foundation.

As Monrovia Week 2025 culminated, it served as a powerful reminder of the city’s enduring legacy, its cultural wealth, and the collective vision for a brighter future. With such an inspiring week, the celebration left a lasting impact on Monrovians and Liberia as a whole.

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