Despite passing through Center Street, which divides Palm Grove Cemetery, the President did not stop to visit the grave of President Roberts.
Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, during his Decoration Day observance, visited the graves of several past Liberian leaders, including the mass gravesite on Duport Road. However, he was unable to pay respects at the grave of Liberia’s first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, due to the dilapidated state of the historic Palm Grove Cemetery in Monrovia.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) | [email protected]
Once a revered burial ground, Palm Grove Cemetery has been overtaken by drug addicts, who have transformed the graves into makeshift shelters. The unsafe and deteriorating conditions have raised serious concerns about public access, safety, and the dignity of the historic site.
A Forgotten Resting Place
In the past, the burial site of President Roberts and his family was well-maintained, with its fence painted in Liberia’s national colors—red, white, and blue—ahead of Decoration Day.
Buried at the site are Joseph Jenkins Roberts – Liberia’s first president, Amelia Roberts – his mother, Henry J. Roberts – His brother, Sarah Ann Roberts – his wife and Hilary Teage – Liberia’s first Secretary of State, among others.
However, in recent years, government neglect and the encroachment of drug users have left the site in ruins. Most of the graves have been vandalized, with tombs desecrated and turned into shelters by addicts who use the cemetery as a hideout.
President Boakai’s Visit and Security Concerns
On Decoration Day, President Boakai visited several graves, including former President William V.S. Tubman at the Centennial Pavilion, former President Daniel Bashiel Warner at Camp Johnson Road and Warren Street and the mass gravesite on Duport Road.
Despite passing through Center Street, which divides Palm Grove Cemetery, the President did not stop to visit the grave of President Roberts. His heavily secured convoy drove slowly through the area, but he remained in his vehicle, likely due to security concerns and the cemetery’s deteriorating state.
Boakai Calls for National Reconciliation
Speaking at the mass gravesite on Duport Road, President Boakai emphasized the importance of honoring past leaders and fostering national unity.
“Each and every one of them served this country. When you honor those who came before you, you, too, can expect to be honored,” he said.
He also used the occasion to call for reconciliation among Liberians, regardless of their backgrounds.
“It is time to reconcile. It is time we recognize the value of every Liberian, regardless of their differences,” he added.
A Call to Restore Liberia’s Historic Sites
The abandonment of President Roberts’ grave highlights a growing concern over the neglect of Liberia’s historical landmarks. As the nation reflects on its past, calls are mounting for the government to restore and protect these sacred sites to preserve Liberia’s rich history.
