Deprecated: Function gmstrftime() is deprecated in /home/governan/public_html/231gc/config.php on line 21

Deprecated: Function gmstrftime() is deprecated in /home/governan/public_html/231gc/config.php on line 21
Governance Commission Liberia ...



Latest News

National Symbols Review Project supports National Identity

Former Ambassador and current Chairman of the National Symbols Review Project Advisory Board, Wesley Johnson says the National Symbols Review Project will ensure national identity but the project is in dire need of funding. The Symbols Review Project is a semi-autonomous government initiative affiliated with the Governance Commission as part of its deliverables. Its mandate is to conduct a comprehensive examination of Liberia’s national symbols (the Liberian national flag, national anthem, Seal, and all national awards) to determine the extent to which they represent the cultural breadth and historical depth of our national experience. It seeks to afford the nation an opportunity to develop and affirm meaningful presentations of Liberia’s past, present, and future, recognizing that should Liberians decide to retain some or all of the existing symbols the process of making that determination will itself be constructive.

One purpose of the symbols review exercise can be summarized as an attempt to advance a national conversation on Liberia’s national identity with emphasizes on the belief that what unites us as a people is far greater than what divides us. A Project implementation team has, overtime, substantively worked reviewing these national symbols.

This symbols project has become necessary because “Liberia is facing a crisis of identity”; a dichotomize nation being descendants to triple or more heritage – African, Islamic, and Western; contested history; and yet to establish who we are as a nation – a people united on a set of ideals or a federation of ethnicities? Liberians are equally cognizant that the 14 year civil war further divided us as a people.

 The Governance Commission stresses that “a sense of national identity is therefore necessary to enable individual Liberians transcend self or ethnic group absorption and commit to the common good:“Without it, Liberia can neither reconcile nor genuinely pursue the lofty goals of vision 2030 - One people, one nation united for peace and sustainable development” which is crucial to Liberia’s reconciliation process.

The long term goals of the project include:

  1. Building national cohesion across population groups while reflecting the diversity of Liberia’s people;
  2. Promoting optimism for the future of Liberia; and
  3. Promoting an accurate national narrative for Liberia;

The primary objectives of the symbols review effort is Liberian’s self-determination in the formation of national symbols. In other words - to offer Liberians an opportunity to make a conscious choice about the symbols that represent them and their country. The exercise is expected to enable Liberians shape how we view ourselves and how others view us for generations to come. It is also important to note that our history (records of conflicting events/dates, divisiveness and violence) necessitates that great caution be taken when determining those symbols that are most appropriate to the realization of the national vision in order to enhance peace and unity among the people.

Public Awareness and Out Reach

Following the launch of the Project in 2014, various project components and implementation modules were developed, operationalized and an operational structure created - the Advisory Board - with membership from all segment of the Liberian society. President Sirleaf appointed the Advisory Board. Subsequent to the National Symbol Project’s launch and the establishment of its institutional framework, the Project’s implementation team carried out numerous public awareness activities to heighten understanding of the symbols review process and its significance to national unity, reconciliation, and post war renewal within the content of Vision 2030. As you may already know, prominent among these outreach activities was the holding of the Paynesville City Hall well-attended 2012 symposium on the theme “Reviewing Liberia’s National Symbols to renew National Identity”. Engaging in a national conversation on the relevance of Liberia’s symbols to her past and future represents an opportunity to affirm or develop meaningful representations of our past, present and future. Such public interactions are necessary because changes to be made especially under this project, like any other national efforts, depend on information the public provides.

Budget, Finance and Funding Requirements

A budget of US$1.8M budget was submitted to the Liberian Government for funding of the Symbols project for two years (2013/2014 fiscal period) but Government provided US$150,000.00 as seed money to jump start its work. Said amount was used to establish a skeleton staff of four on an ad hoc basis with modest remuneration to operationalize the project for the first six months. 64 % of the seed money equaling US$96,000.00 went toward operational expenses while 36% of the funds equaling US$54,000.00 remained as book balance. Financial statements/records depicting project’s expenditure and balance have since been submitted to the Finance Ministry.

Another budget of US$1.025M covering 2014/2015 was submitted to government and is under consideration. Grant proposals have also been submitted to international partners and awaiting probable positive results. The Governance Commission Civic Engagement and National Visioning Mandate Area has been involved with building synergies with public institutions engaged in similar activities and building partnerships while  adhering to its own guidelines.

Recommendations

The National Symbols Review Committee Project secretariat has put forward several recommendations including the need for fresh ideas to be brought to the table on the project, serious fundraising programs to be considered, and office space provided for the Project. Meanwhile, the National Symbols Review Committee Project has been turned over to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, MICAT, to carry on. GC however remains a significant partner in ensuring that the project yields the intended results.