Boakai's History Agenda Gains Momentum

MONROVIA: The Governance Commission (GC) has accelerated efforts to implement President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's directive to revive Liberia's National History Project, marking a significant step toward rewriting the country's historical narrative to strengthen national identity, reconciliation and inclusive nation-building.
The country’s long-dormant National History Project is gaining fresh momentum after the Governance Commission (GC) convened a high-level strategic meeting to begin implementing the President’s directive to revive the landmark national initiative.
The meeting brought together Liberia's 179th Independence Day National Orator, Dr. Herbert Brewer, and Cabinet Director-General, Nathaniel Kwabo, underscoring the government's determination to transform the President's Independence Day commitment into a concrete national program.
Originally recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2009, the Liberia National History Project was envisioned as a cornerstone for national healing by producing a more balanced historical account that embraces indigenous communities, marginalized populations and diverse national perspectives.
The initiative received formal backing in 2013 through a partnership between the Liberian Government and UNESCO, with the Governance Commission designated as the lead institution responsible for coordinating research, policy development and nationwide consultations.
During its initial phase, the commission successfully engaged historians, governance experts, anthropologists and members of the Liberian diaspora, producing scholarly studies addressing governance, political economy, constitutional reform, inequality, environmental issues and national identity.
Despite these achievements, the project stalled because of inadequate funding, inconsistent government support and the absence of sustained institutional capacity needed to complete educational materials and integrate the findings into national curricula.
President Boakai reignited the initiative during Liberia's 179th Independence Day celebrations in Buchanan under the theme, "Strengthening National Identity Through Liberian-Led Historical Leadership."
In his address, the President emphasized that Liberia's history must be researched, documented and preserved by qualified Liberian historians, archivists, archaeologists, anthropologists, linguists and educators, while embracing the country's rich indigenous heritage alongside the experiences of freed Africans and the wider African Diaspora.
Describing history as a powerful instrument for nation-building, Boakai declared that strong nations are built on shared values, collective purpose, mutual respect and a deep sense of national identity.
To support the renewed initiative, the President announced plans to collaborate with international universities, libraries and cultural institutions to recover valuable historical records relating to Liberia.
He also unveiled plans to modernize the National Archives and National Museum through digitization and improved preservation systems, restore the historic Kendeja Cultural Center as a national heritage hub, and establish an intergovernmental technical committee to supervise implementation and ensure institutional accountability.
The Governance Commission says, the renewed National History Project represents more than an academic exercise—it is intended to become a cornerstone of national reconciliation, civic education and the preservation of Liberia's historical legacy for future generations.