Monrovia: President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday, joined President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the people of Liberia to celebrate their 178th Independence Day in Monrovia. The event, held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Montserrado County, drew attendance from heads of states across the region, including the Presidents of Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau, as well as representatives from Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Gambia.
According to African Press Organization, Liberia used the occasion to honor ECOWAS member states that contributed troops to the multinational peacekeeping force, ECOMOG. ECOMOG played a critical role in ending the civil war and securing humanitarian corridors during the Liberian conflict, making the recognition significant for the participating nations.
The celebration, themed “One people, one destiny, healing the past and building the future,” provided a reflective moment for Liberia. The ceremony emphasized the importance of reconciliation, stock-taking, and fostering a united national identity to rebuild a peaceful nation rich in natural resources.
President Mahama was accompanied by key officials, including the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt. General William Agyapong, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, highlighting the importance Ghana placed on the event and regional cooperation.