On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Governance Commission held a one-day policy Dialogue on the Revitalization and Rewriting of an Inclusive and Comprehensive History of Liberia at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor. Delivering the opening remarks, Professor Alaric K. Tokpa, Acting Chairman of the Governance Commission, underscored the urgent need to reconstruct Liberia’s national narrative in a way that embraces the full diversity of its people. “For far too long, Liberia’s story has been told in fragments—marked by exclusion, silence, and selective memory,” Tokpa declared. “To build peace, we must remember the past, promote understanding, and acknowledge the voices that shape our collective journey.” Tokpa emphasized that Liberia’s history must not be treated as a political project, but as a national one—honoring both suffering and triumph. “Today’s dialogue is not just a reflection but a recommitment,” he stressed. “We must write a national history that is not a mere document, but a mirror—one that reflects the dignity, resilience, and diversity of all Liberians.” He further noted that the new history must confront uncomfortable truths, using them as stepping stones toward justice and national cohesion. Importantly, he called for the inclusion of youth, traditional leaders, women, and religious institutions—groups that have been vital to Liberia’s journey yet too often excluded from official accounts. The Liberian History is a National Story for All Liberians. Participants at the dialogue acknowledged that Liberia’s historical narrative has long centered on the arrival of settlers in 1822, marginalizing the rich cultural heritage and contributions of indigenous communities. Commissioner Cytirus Kerbay, presenting an overview of the Liberia National History Project (LNHP), reminded the audience that this imbalance was a key concern raised by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC recommended rewriting a comprehensive national history as a tool for peace and reconciliation. The LNHP, launched in 2013 with support from UNESCO and the Liberian government, envisioned textbooks, curricula, and scholarly works that reflected the full spectrum of Liberia’s past. Yet, due to limited funding, the project stalled. Hon. Stevenson Seidi, former head of UNESCO’s office in Liberia, spoke not as an official but as a concerned Liberian. He critiqued the current historical narrative as “one-sided, deceptive, and discriminatory.” “Our history must be a shared journey, not a contest between settlers and natives,” Seidi said. “If told inclusively, it can help us reconcile, heal, and build lasting peace. If told narrowly, it risks deepening mistrust and reigniting past wounds.” Seidi proposed a broader effort: rewriting school textbooks, reviewing national symbols and honors, and establishing museums, memorials, and oral history projects to preserve collective memory. He urged the government to take ownership of the process and involve Liberian historians both at home and in the diaspora, ensuring the final product truly reflects the nation’s heritage. Reviving a Dormant Effort, the Governance Commission confirmed that archived materials from the earlier history project remain available and will be handed over to a new team tasked with reviving the initiative. Dr. William Allen, a prominent academic and lead presenter at the dialogue, was introduced as a key figure who had played an important role in the project’s early stages. “This is not only about recording the past,” one official remarked, “but about shaping a future where every Liberian sees themselves in the national story.” As the dialogue concluded, participants echoed a common theme: rewriting Liberia’s history is not simply an academic exercise, but a nation-building imperative. “History is not fixed,” Seidi reminded the gathering. “Our task is not to erase the past, but to expand it—to weave together the voices, memories, and dreams of all Liberians into one shared narrative. Only then can history become a true pathway to reconciliation, healing, and peace.”
3rd Street Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia