Former Presidential candidate, Cllr. Taiwan Saye Gongloe says nations are not built by prayer and fasting; rather, it is political will that brings transformational changes.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia; August 1, 2025 – The political leader of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP), Cllr. Taiwan Saye Gongloe has sharply reacted to President Joseph N. Boakai’s National Day of Prayer, observed here as a public holiday on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, arguing that nations are not built by prayer and fasting, but rather by political will that brings transformational changes.
According to him, Liberia at this critical time needs political will and transformative action-oriented leadership, instead of a national fast and prayer declaration from President Boakai.
Cllr. Gongloe speaking Thursday, July 31, 2025, in an interview, he argued that from 1847 to 2025, Liberia has remained heavily dependent on the export of raw materials, namely wood, rubber, iron ore, gold, and diamonds.
He said that after 178 years of independence, this pattern has not changed, and that despite being blessed with rich natural resources, Liberia is still one of the poorest countries in the world.
“We have been a praying and fasting nation, even before our independence in 1847. Churches and mosques can be found in nearly every town and village across Liberia. And while prayer and fasting are good, they alone are not enough. What Liberia urgently needs is political will and transformative action-oriented leadership! It is often said. “Heaven helps those who help themselves. So, nations are not built by prayer and fasting, but political will and transformational leadership action.” He stated.
Meanwhile, the LPP political leader noted that other African countries are making progress and showing the way for Liberia to follow that are not using prayer and fasting for national development transformation.
He named Botswana, Mauritius, Cape Verde, and Seychelles as among Africa’s least corrupt nations, while Rwanda and Burkina Faso are investing in local processing, tourism, and public service accountability.
Cllr. Gongloe further named Ghana and Morocco as countries adding value addition to cocoa, cashews, phosphates, and textiles, while building industrial parks and reducing unemployment.
He indicated that most of these countries are creating jobs, reducing poverty, adding value to their resources, and respecting the rule of law and human rights, but sadly, Liberia lacks political will, transformational leadership, and declaring a national fast and prayer day.
Accordingly, he said that these countries have proven that strong leadership, good governance, and national vision can transform even small or landlocked countries.
“True development also requires upholding human rights, strengthening institutions, ensuring equal protection under the law, and adopting effective anti-corruption strategies — not just praying and fasting. Corruption must be fought with transparency, enforcement, and zero tolerance at every level.” Cllr. Gongloe stressed.
He recommended that Liberia needs a government that will lead it to shift from prayer to planning, from fasting to factories, and from sermons to strategy.
The former president of the Liberia National Bar Association believes that Liberia can become a hub for eco-marine tourism, climate finance through carbon credits, and value-added exports like furniture, plywood, bottled water, steel, polished diamonds, refined gold, other processed minerals, and agro-products.
He lamented that Liberia remains stuck in poverty because the country keeps exporting raw materials and importing finished goods, something he believes has kept the nation poor and dependent.
“We need a government that acts, not just kneels; a government that builds, transforms, and empowers, not just fasts. Yes, Liberia needs a government that works and does more for its people than one that only prays. We want our government to lead us to transformative actions, not just to the churches and mosques, because heaven helps those who help themselves! The time for action is now.” He pointed out.
Cllr. Gongloe, also a former Solicitor General of Liberia, argued that Liberia is not poor by nature; instead, it is poorly managed, adding that this country is richly endowed with fertile soil for agriculture, as it has over 40% of the rainforest of the Gulf of Guinea.
“Vast deposits of gold, iron ore, and other minerals; freshwater sources capable of supporting bottled water exports. Pristine beaches from Cape Mount to Cape Palmas. Mangrove swamps are important for marine life and fish reproduction. Mountains for hiking, climbing, and eco-tourism; and good nature and resilient citizens looking for direction from their leaders”, he concluded.
But Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said those who criticized the President’s call for a one-day nationwide prayer for the state, “do not know God.” Editing by Jonathan Browne
