NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Orator of Liberia’s 179th Flag Day Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has challenged Liberians to move beyond waving the national flag and singing patriotic songs to demonstrating their love for country through integrity, responsibility and service.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon199seokin@gmail.com
Delivering the oration marking Liberia’s 179th National Flag Day on Monday, August 24, under the theme “From Heritage to Hope: The Flag That Unites Us,” Ngafuan said patriotism must be measured not by emotional displays of national pride, but by the practical actions citizens take to protect and advance Liberia.
“Patriotism is not only what we say about Liberia. Patriotism is what we do for Liberia,” Ngafuan declared, arguing that every Liberian has a role to play in raising the nation’s standards.
He said a public official who protects state resources, a teacher who properly educates children, a health worker who faithfully cares for patients, a security officer who rejects corruption, a businessperson who pays legitimate taxes, and a journalist who responsibly pursues the truth are all “raising the flag.”
Ngafuan also delivered a pointed message to public officials, saying the national flag displayed in government offices should serve as a constant reminder that public office is a position of service rather than personal ownership.
“Public office does not increase one’s ownership of Liberia. It increases one’s responsibility to Liberia,” he said, stressing that government officials have no greater claim to the country than ordinary citizens.
The Finance Minister further warned against political, tribal, county and religious divisions, urging Liberians to recognize that their differences should never supersede their common national identity.
He said Liberians can belong to different political parties, counties, tribes, religions and social groups while remaining united under one national flag. “Our party-centricity must never undermine our country-centricity,” he emphasized, adding that “there must always be something above everything else. That something is Liberia.”
Ngafuan linked national unity directly to development, arguing that roads, electricity, schools, healthcare and economic opportunities can serve as powerful instruments for bringing Liberians together.
According to the Flag Day Orator, the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development represents an effort to transform national hope into concrete projects and measurable improvements, while announcing that Liberia is expected to reach a US$1 billion national budget in September, which he described as a historic milestone. He cautioned, however, that a larger budget would only matter if it produces better roads, electricity, schools, healthcare, jobs and stronger institutions.
He then urged Liberians to make the national flag a symbol of daily responsibility rather than a ceremonial object. “Let us leave this celebration determined not merely to wave the flag, but to live the flag,” he said. “Not merely to salute Liberia, but to serve Liberia. Not merely to hope for a better Liberia, but to build one.”
He said the true journey from heritage to hope would depend on Liberians putting country above self and ensuring that future generations inherit a stronger and more united Republic.
