-Flag Day Orator Calls for National Unity, Warns That Political Rivalry Must Never Destroy the Country
MONROVIA, Liberia — Finance and Development Planning Minister and National Flag Day Orator Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has called on Liberians to put national interest above political loyalty, warning that partisan divisions must never be allowed to undermine Liberia’s peace, democracy and future.
Delivering the keynote oration at Liberia’s 179th National Flag Day celebration on Monday, Ngafuan urged politicians and citizens alike to embrace a stronger sense of patriotism and national responsibility, declaring that political competition should never become a source of hatred or national destruction.
His message came under this year’s national theme, “From Heritage to Hope: The Flag That Unites Us,” which placed national identity, patriotism, civic responsibility and unity at the center of the observance.
“Our party-centricity must never undermine our country-centricity. There must always be something above everything else. That something is Liberia.”
The statement was among the strongest political messages in Ngafuan’s address, as he challenged Liberians to recognize that political parties are temporary institutions while the Liberian nation must endure beyond individual administrations and electoral cycles.
‘A Political Opponent Is Not an Enemy’
Ngafuan also delivered a direct warning against the increasingly hostile nature of political discourse in Liberia, urging citizens to distinguish between political disagreement and personal enmity.
“A person’s political opponent is not a person’s political enemy.”
He said Liberians must learn to compete politically without allowing disagreements to destroy relationships, communities or the country itself.
“We can compete politically without hating one another.”
The Orator argued that Liberia’s democratic progress should be measured not only by elections, but also by the country’s ability to manage political differences peacefully.
He cautioned against a political culture in which victory is treated as everything and opponents are viewed as enemies who must be destroyed.
“No political victory is worth destroying Liberia.”
Ngafuan’s appeal comes as Liberia continues to navigate sharp political divisions and heated public debates over governance, accountability and the direction of the country.
From Heritage to Hope
The Finance Minister placed his call for unity within the historical meaning of Flag Day.
He said the national flag should serve as more than a symbol displayed during official ceremonies. Instead, it should remind Liberians of their shared history and their collective responsibility to build a better country.
“Let us leave this celebration determined not merely to wave the flag, but to live the flag. Not merely to salute Liberia, but to serve Liberia.”
He urged Liberians to transform patriotism from a ceremonial expression into practical national service.
“Patriotism is not only what we say about Liberia. Patriotism is what we do for Liberia.”
According to Ngafuan, that responsibility includes paying taxes honestly, protecting public resources, rejecting corruption, performing public duties professionally and contributing positively to national development.
Flag Day Puts Students at Center of Celebration
Ngafuan’s national unity message was delivered as hundreds of Liberian students participated in activities designed to reconnect young people with the country’s history and national symbols.
The official Flag Day program featured approximately 1,200 students from 36 junior and senior high schools participating in the National Flag Hoisting Ceremony, competitive drills and the Pass-in-Review at the Barclay Training Center.
The Ministry of Education also highlighted the reintroduction of civics as a subject in primary schools and the launch of standardized civics textbooks as part of efforts to strengthen civic education and produce more informed and responsible citizens.
The celebration further included cultural performances, student presentations, the reading of the Presidential Proclamation and recognition of outstanding schools and beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholarships Program.
The activities reflected the broader objective of this year’s observance: using Flag Day to reconnect Liberians, particularly young people, with the country’s heritage while encouraging them to take responsibility for its future.
Development as a Tool for Unity
Ngafuan also argued that national unity cannot be achieved solely through political speeches or appeals for reconciliation.
In his view, development itself can unite Liberians.
He pointed to roads, electricity, schools, healthcare facilities and economic opportunities as areas where government can create shared national interests that transcend political and regional divisions.
“Because one of the most effective ways to unite a country is to develop the country.”
The argument formed part of a broader economic message in which Ngafuan said Liberia’s growing fiscal capacity must be translated into visible improvements in citizens’ lives.
He cited planned road connectivity from Monrovia to Harper and from Gbarnga through Zorzor, Voinjama, Kolahun and Foya toward Mendikorma as examples of infrastructure that can physically and economically connect Liberians.
For Ngafuan, the construction of roads and expansion of electricity, education and healthcare are not merely economic projects; they are also instruments for strengthening national cohesion.
‘Liberia Must Come First’
Ngafuan’s address ultimately returned to a central message: Liberia must remain bigger than any individual, political party, government or personal ambition.
He urged Liberians to recognize that political leadership is temporary while the nation belongs to generations yet unborn.
“There must always be something above everything else. That something is Liberia.”
He said political differences should never justify violence, hatred, corruption or the destruction of national institutions.
The Orator’s appeal also carried a message for political leaders, urging them to pursue power peacefully and accept that political fortunes change.
For ordinary Liberians, he urged greater responsibility in defending national institutions and resisting political narratives that place party loyalty above the national interest.
A Call to Protect Liberia’s Future
Ngafuan concluded by challenging Liberians to make the Flag Day celebration more than an annual ceremony.
“Not merely to hope for a better Liberia, but to build one.”
His message placed the responsibility for Liberia’s future not solely on government but on every citizen.
As Liberia marks 179 years of national history, the Flag Day Orator said the country must draw strength from its heritage while refusing to repeat the divisions and failures that have previously undermined national progress.
Under the banner “From Heritage to Hope: The Flag That Unites Us,” Ngafuan’s central appeal was ultimately simple but politically consequential:
Liberia must come before the party, political rivalry must remain peaceful, and no political victory should ever be considered more important than the survival and progress of the nation.
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