NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr. has called on Liberians to reject political bitterness, misinformation and division, urging citizens to embrace unity, dialogue and reconciliation as the country works toward sustainable development and lasting peace.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Delivering the keynote address Tuesday night at the 16th Edition of the Golden Image Awards held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, Vice President Koung said Liberia’s future depends on the collective efforts of all citizens rather than government alone.
“The Liberia we seek cannot be built by government alone. It cannot be built by one political party, one county, one tribe, one religion, or one generation. It can only be built when all Liberians see themselves as stakeholders in our nation’s future,” the Vice President told the gathering, which included President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, members of the Legislature and Judiciary, diplomats, cabinet officials, civil society representatives and international guests.
The Vice President warned that while differences of opinion are essential in a democracy, political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into hatred or division.
“I am aware that differences in opinion are healthy in every democracy. But when political disagreement turns into hatred, insults, misinformation, or division, it weakens the very nation we all desire to see prosper,” he said.
He urged Liberians to “reject the politics of bitterness and embrace the politics of ideas,” adding that the country must replace “suspicion with trust, hostility with dialogue, and division with reconciliation.”
Reflecting on Liberia’s Independence anniversary, Koung said the occasion should remind citizens of the sacrifices made by previous generations and the responsibility of today’s leaders to build a better future.
“As we commemorate another anniversary of Liberia’s independence, this occasion reminds us that our history is measured by the sacrifices of those who came before us, the responsibilities we bear today, and the legacy we choose to leave for generations yet unborn,” he noted.
The Vice President also praised Ambassador Juli Endee and the organizers of the Golden Image Awards for sustaining the event over the past sixteen years, describing the awards as a respected national institution that celebrates excellence, patriotism and leadership.
“For 16 years, Ambassador Juli Endee and the organizers of the Golden Image Awards have kept a powerful tradition of celebrating excellence and inspiring hope. Their consistency has transformed these awards into a respected national institution that honors achievement, elevates role models, and reminds us that the pursuit of excellence is one of the strongest foundations for national progress,” he said.
Turning to Liberia’s development prospects, Koung highlighted the country’s abundant natural resources, fertile agricultural land, strategic maritime position and youthful population as key assets capable of driving economic transformation.
He reaffirmed the Boakai administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment, expanding infrastructure, strengthening agriculture, increasing access to energy, promoting manufacturing and creating decent jobs for Liberians.
“Our government remains committed to creating an environment that encourages investment, promotes private sector growth, expands infrastructure, strengthens agriculture, increases energy access, supports manufacturing, and creates decent jobs for our people. This is the Liberia we are determined to build,” he declared.
Addressing Liberia’s youth, the Vice President described young people as indispensable partners in national development rather than merely future leaders.
“To our young people, you are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; you are partners in our nation’s development. Your energy, innovation, creativity, and your courage are among Liberia’s greatest assets,” he said.
He also stressed that preserving peace remains essential to achieving the country’s development aspirations.
“Without peace, there can be no lasting prosperity, and without unity, there can be no sustainable progress,” Koung emphasized.
Congratulating recipients of the Golden Image Awards, he said their achievements demonstrate what is possible through determination, integrity and hard work, inspiring young Liberians to pursue excellence.
“Those being honored this evening represent what is possible when determination meets purpose. Your achievements inspire countless young Liberians to dream bigger, work harder, and believe that success is attainable through dedication and integrity,” he said.
Concluding his address, Vice President Koung urged Liberians to leave behind a legacy defined by unity, courage and service to the nation.
“When future generations look back upon our time, may they say that this was the generation that chose unity over division, hope over despair, service over self-interest, and nation over politics. Let us be remembered as the generation that transformed Liberia not simply with policies, but with courage. Not with speeches alone, but with actions.”
