Monrovia – As Liberia marked its 179th Independence Anniversary with celebrations across the country and among Liberians in the diaspora, renowned human rights and constitutional lawyer Tiawan Saye Gongloe used the occasion to deliver a powerful moral and political message, declaring that the country’s greatest challenge is not a lack of natural resources but a “poverty of good leadership.”
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
While the official national celebration was held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, churches, mosques, and civic organizations also hosted commemorative programs reflecting on Liberia’s journey as Africa’s first independent Black republic.
One such event took place at the Restoration Baptist Church in Monrovia, where Gongloe delivered a lecture titled “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: The Church’s Prophetic Voice for Ethical Leadership and National Renewal.” Drawing from biblical teachings, he challenged Liberians to confront corruption, drug trafficking, poor governance, and moral decline through ethical leadership rooted in Christian values.
“Government Is a Place to Serve, Not to Steal”
Addressing worshippers during the church’s Independence Day observance, Gongloe argued that public service is a sacred responsibility rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment.
“I have often summarized this truth in one sentence: Government is a place to serve, not to steal,” Gongloe declared, emphasizing that leaders are called to protect the vulnerable, uphold justice, and ensure national resources benefit all Liberians.
Using the biblical account of Jesus feeding the multitude, he said genuine leadership is measured by service rather than privilege or power.
“Leadership is not about privilege; it is about responsibility. It is not about status; it is about stewardship,” he said.
Corruption Is Both Crime and Sin
Gongloe described corruption as more than a legal offense, insisting it represents a direct violation of Christ’s commandment to love one’s neighbor.
“Corruption is not merely a crime against the state. It is a grave sin against God because it violates His command to love our neighbors as ourselves,” he told the congregation.
According to him, every dollar stolen from public coffers translates into schools left unbuilt, hospitals left unequipped, roads left unfinished, and opportunities denied to ordinary Liberians.
“Corruption always has victims, and those victims are our neighbors,” he warned.
Drug Crisis Linked to Corruption
Referencing Liberia’s recent record cocaine seizures, Gongloe cautioned that the country’s growing narcotics problem is rooted in corruption and moral decay.
“The recent seizure of a large shipment of cocaine reminds us that Liberia is not immune from this global evil,” he said.
He warned that drug trafficking destroys families, undermines communities, and robs young people of their future, stressing that combating the crisis requires not only law enforcement but also churches, parents, educators, and communities.
“When corruption opens the door, narcotic drugs enter; when narcotic drugs enter, hope leaves many homes,” Gongloe said.
Leadership Determines National Success
In one of the strongest political observations of his address, Gongloe argued that Liberia’s underdevelopment stems primarily from failed leadership rather than a shortage of natural wealth.
He cited countries such as Botswana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, and Cabo Verde as examples of African nations that have achieved greater development through accountable governance and stronger institutions.
“There is no office in a presidential system more powerful than the office of the President,” Gongloe said. “Even with strong laws and institutions, if a president lacks the political will to follow the law and do what is right for the majority of the people, a nation suffers.”
He added that Liberia continues to suffer because successive leaders have failed to demonstrate that political will.
Invoking a familiar Liberian proverb, he remarked: “A fish starts getting rotten from the head.”
According to Gongloe, Liberians naturally emulate their leaders, making integrity at the highest level of government essential for national transformation.
“Liberia is not a naturally poor country,” he asserted. “It has been and is suffering from the poverty of good leadership.”
Natural Wealth Must Benefit All
Gongloe also challenged the management of Liberia’s abundant natural resources, arguing that concessions and public assets should be administered transparently and in the interest of present and future generations.
Comparing resource management to Jesus’ distribution of bread after feeding the multitude, he said God’s blessings were never intended to be monopolized by a privileged few.
“Our natural resources belong to the people,” he stressed. “Leaders are stewards, not owners.”
A Challenge to the Church
Gongloe urged the Church to maintain its prophetic role by speaking against injustice rather than remaining silent in the face of corruption and moral failure.
“The Church is not called to seek political power, nor to remain silent in the presence of moral failure,” he said. “It is called to proclaim Christ, defend truth, strengthen families, shape character, encourage honesty, and remind every generation that the love of God must be demonstrated by love of neighbor.”
Appeal to Liberia’s Youth
Turning to young Liberians, Gongloe encouraged them to reject corruption and embrace integrity despite societal pressures.
“Choose character over comfort, conviction over convenience, honesty over dishonesty, selflessness over selfishness, and a good name over great riches,” he urged.
He expressed confidence that a generation committed to ethical values could build a Liberia worthy of celebration.
Congregational Pledge
At the conclusion of his lecture, Gongloe invited the congregation to stand and publicly pledge to reject corruption and serve their fellow citizens.
The congregation affirmed their belief that corruption is a sin against God, pledged to live honestly, and repeated Gongloe’s declaration:
“Government is a place to serve, not to steal.”
He ended the Independence Day program with a prayer asking God to deliver Liberia from corruption, greed, violence, and narcotic drugs while blessing the nation with leaders of wisdom, integrity, and compassion
