James T. Brooks
MONROVIA — What was intended as a solemn celebration of the life and legacy of the late Professor Alhaji Garxim Varmuyan Kromah transformed into a potent political stage on Wednesday. Keynote speaker Dr. H. Boima Fahbulleh delivered a fiery address that electrified the gathering, pivoting from traditional eulogy to a scathing condemnation of corruption and what he characterized as the failed leadership of recent years.
The memorial, held at the All Liberia Coalition Party (ALCOP) headquarters along the Japanese Freeway in Gardnerville, drew a diverse crowd of partisans, political actors, and supporters. They gathered to honor the founding father of ALCOP four years after his passing. Born on February 11, 1953, and having passed away in early 2022, Professor Kromah was remembered as a nationalist and statesman who twice carried the ALCOP banner into presidential elections. While early speakers hailed him as a man of deep conviction and social justice, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Dr. Fahbulleh took the podium.
Fahbulleh’s remarks were unsparing, particularly in his assertion that the nation’s youth deserve better role models than those currently in power. He declared that “cons and thieves” cannot serve as examples for the next generation, insisting that children must instead learn from those who have bled, struggled, and endured imprisonment for the sake of the country. In a pointed critique widely interpreted as a reference to members of the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)-led government, Fahbulleh accused unnamed officials of using rhetoric to mask the looting of public resources. He dismissed their claims of having solutions for Liberia, labeling their records as criminal and calling on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to investigate those he described as “rascals” who deceived the populace.
The audience met his warnings with sustained applause, especially as he cautioned that those responsible for the nation’s “tragedy” should not expect a future of impunity. Fahbulleh asserted that he and other advocates for justice remain vigilant and will be present when the time for accountability arrives. Despite the sharp political edge of his speech, he anchored his message in Kromah’s own legacy, describing the late professor as a symbol of integrity and a compassionate fighter for social justice whose spirit continues to inspire resistance against national neglect.
Following the keynote, ALCOP Political Leader Lusanne Kamara offered a more reflective tone, urging partisans to maintain unity and uphold Kromah’s core ideals. Kamara described the late professor as a moral compass whose voice served as the “heartbeat of a national identity” during periods of deep uncertainty. He acknowledged Kromah’s tireless efforts to unify the Muslim community and the broader Liberian society, calling on supporters to emulate the discipline and courage that defined his life.
Ultimately, the memorial served as a complex blend of prayer, tribute, and political reflection. It reinforced the reality that, even four years after his death, Professor Alhaji G.V. Kromah’s name remains a powerful catalyst for political discourse and an uncompromising call for justice within the Liberian landscape.