Monrovia – The Government of Barbados is taking a historic step to grant citizenship to Liberians of Bajan descent, reconnecting the island nation with members of its diaspora and recognizing centuries-old cultural ties.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley announced the development during a recent address, emphasizing the inclusive reforms underway in Barbados.
“Few Nights ago, in the House of Assembly, the minister of Home Affairs opened the second reading of two-companion message. The Immigration Bill 2-25 and the citizenship bill 2025. And then asked that those bills be put to the parliamentary government standing committee for wider consultation before final passage. This is how big change happen in a democracy. And it opened with the country invited to weigh in,” Mottley said.
The proposed legislation is expected to create a pathway for Liberians with Bajan heritage to claim citizenship, strengthening cultural ties and offering new opportunities for the diaspora to participate in Barbados’ social, economic, and political life.
A Historical Connection
This initiative marks a bold effort by the Bajan government to reconnect with descendants of Barbadians who migrated to Liberia in the 19th century. In 1865, approximately 346 African-Barbadians traveled from Bridgetown to Liberia on the brig Cora, settling in Crozierville, which became a Bajan outpost in Africa. Many prominent Liberian families, including those of former Presidents Arthur and Edwin Barclay, trace their roots to this migration.
Tracing the Roots
The connection began to be documented in 2019 when Liberia’s Special Envoy on Cultural and Heritage Diplomacy, Ambassador Lorenzo Llewellyn Witherspoon—whose great-great-grandfather, John Prince Porte, was a Bajan-born passenger on the Cora—launched a research project to reconnect with relatives in Barbados.
“Although access to key archival records in Barbados was limited, the research project led to the publication of findings titled ‘PORTES FIND A NEW HOME IN LIBERIA: STORY OF THE POST-EMANCIPATION EMIGRATION OF THE JOHN PRINCE PORTE FAMILY OF BARBADOS, WEST INDIES, TO LIBERIA, WEST AFRICA IN 1865 & THE FAMILY’S QUEST FOR ANCESTRAL CITIZENSHIP,’” Ambassador Witherspoon explained.
His work, supported by meetings with the Barbadian Ambassador to Switzerland, Chad Blackman, paved the way for high-level engagement between the two nations. In June 2021, Ambassador Witherspoon and his delegation visited Barbados, tracing the ancestral homes of the Porte family and meeting Prime Minister Mottley at Ilaro Court.
The visit led to the first successful Sankofa Pilgrimage to Barbados from May 6–13, 2024, bringing over 400 Bajan-Liberian pilgrims “home” to the island. During these interactions, the Prime Minister confirmed the Bajan origins of the Best family lineage and supported heritage tours and cultural exchanges between Barbados and Liberia.
Strengthening Diplomatic and Cultural Ties
Following these initiatives, Barbados and Liberia established formal diplomatic relations. In May 2025, Dame Sandra Mason, President of Barbados, visited Liberia to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Crozierville Founders’ Day alongside President Joseph Boakai. Events included a lavish lunch hosted by the Porte family at Porte Hill, the unveiling of statues honoring Liberian leaders of Bajan ancestry, and a thanksgiving service at Christ Episcopal Church in Crozierville.
Barbados has produced two elected Presidents of Liberia: Arthur Barclay, the 15th President, born in Barbados, and Edwin Barclay, the 18th President, born in Liberia. Additionally, Gyude Bryant, Chairman of Liberia’s Transitional Government (2003–2006), was of Bajan descent. Many other Bajans contributed significantly to Liberia’s early government, serving in top positions for decades.
The citizenship initiative represents not only recognition of historic ties but also a forward-looking effort to strengthen people-to-people connections and promote cultural diplomacy between Liberia and Barbados.
