By Amos Harris
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has championed tourism and culture as key drivers of Liberia’s economic transformation, emphasizing their revenue generation and job creation potential. Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Vice President Koung unveiled a new exhibition showcasing Liberia’s rich cultural heritage.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing tourism and cultural preservation as essential components of national development. “We must promote our own,” Koung stated. “The West is not coming to our country to see skyscrapers; they want to experience our rich traditions, way of life, and beautiful cultures.”
Koung called for increased investment in infrastructure, hospitality services, and cultural preservation initiatives to establish Liberia as a leading tourist destination in the region. He also stressed the importance of policies that protect and promote Liberia’s 16 indigenous tribes and their diverse cultural expressions.
MICAT Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah highlighted the historical significance of cultural promotion within the ministry, noting the decline of previously thriving initiatives like the National Cultural Center, the National Museum, and the Tubman Center for Arts and Culture in Robertsport due to years of war and neglect. “The reopening of the forgotten Cultural Promotion Chapter within MICAT marks a new beginning,” Minister Piah declared. “Since assuming office in 2024, my team and I have worked to restore equal focus on tourism development and cultural heritage promotion alongside government information dissemination.”
Minister Piah commended former Cultural Ambassador Queen Juli Endee for her dedication in curating the impressive display of Liberia’s cultural artifacts at MICAT. The exhibition features over 200 artifacts, including traditional fabrics, tribal masks, and artistic depictions of Liberia’s ecotourism potential, woodcarvings, musical instruments, and cultural relics. “Without Queen Juli Endee, it would be difficult to recognize that culture is an integral part of MICAT beyond just the ministry’s inscription,” he noted.
Minister Piah outlined MICAT’s commitment to revitalizing the cultural and tourism sectors, including reactivating the National Cultural Center; reorienting the National Cultural Troupe by recruiting new talent; collaborating with UNESCO and the Ministry of Education to revamp and restock the National Museum; and launching a major renovation project at MICAT. “As you can see, the process of completely remaking MICAT is well underway,” Piah stated. “We are committed to restoring the lost glory of this entity, and with full support, our cultural heritage will once again take its rightful place in national development.”
Former Cultural Ambassador Juli Endee showcased various aspects of Liberia’s tourism industry and cultural heritage, expressing appreciation for MICAT’s renewed efforts. Deputy Minister for Culture and Tourism, Kadiatu D. Konteh-Bohiri, described the unveiling of the Arts and Culture Gallery at MICAT as a historic milestone, acknowledging Liberia’s rich cultural heritage and praising President Joseph Boakai’s administration for prioritizing culture and tourism. “We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our younger generation appreciates Liberia’s rich cultural heritage—a heritage that unites us through shared values and traditions,” Konteh-Bohiri stated. She recognized Queen Juli Endee for her voluntary work in curating the gallery’s collection, which features over 100 artifacts. “This gallery is more than just a collection of artifacts; it is a testament to our journey toward reclaiming our identity and pride,” she added.
The event concluded with a call for collective efforts to preserve and promote Liberia’s cultural identity. MICAT expressed optimism that partnerships with organizations like UNESCO and other international bodies will elevate Liberia’s cultural and tourism sectors to global prominence.
