Monrovia, Liberia — As we climax 2025, the Executive Director of the Liberia National Heritage and Culture Development Association (LNHCDA), Hon. Solomon Weawea, has issued a strongly worded year-end statement criticizing what he described as the government’s attempts to abolish the traditional Poro and Sande societies.
In his message, Hon. Weawea warned that any effort to erase or dismantle Liberia’s long-standing cultural institutions amounts to an attack on the nation’s identity and heritage.
He described the alleged move as unacceptable and dangerous, stressing that no government or group has the right to impose changes that undermine the country’s cultural foundations.
“Moving to a country with the intention of erasing its cultural heritage and imposing your own is unacceptable,” Weawea said. “Such an action can be interpreted as a declaration of war on the nation, and citizens must strongly resist these notions.”
The LNHCDA boss emphasized that the Poro and Sande societies are deeply rooted in Liberia’s history and play a vital role in community leadership, moral education, and the preservation of indigenous values.
According to him, any attempt to abolish these institutions would be met with “fierce opposition” from cultural stakeholders and traditional communities across the country.
However, Weawea noted that the association remains open to dialogue, stating that engagement with the government is possible where reforms or transformations are genuinely necessary and conducted with respect for tradition and national identity.
“We can work with the government on transformations, but only if necessary and done in consultation with cultural custodians,” he added. “Liberia is our shared heritage, and it must be protected.”
The statement has already sparked debate among cultural advocates and members of the public, as discussions continue over the balance between modernization, governance, and the preservation of Liberia’s indigenous traditions.
