ICON Tv-Liberia

27/07/2026

𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝑯𝒐𝒏. 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑱𝒐𝒉𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒚, 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂'𝒔 179𝒕𝒉 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒏

𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 27, 2026

Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Liberia, and Madam First Lady

The Honorable Vice President of the Republic of Liberia and Madam Second Lady

The Honorable Speaker and Members of the Honorable House of Representatives of the 55
th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia

His Honor the Chief Justice, and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia

The President Pro-Tempore and Members of the Honorable Senate

Former Heads of State, Former Vice President, and Former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia,
The National Orator 2026

The Dean and Members of the Cabinet

Heads of Autonomous Agencies, Public Corporations, and Commissions

The Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Members of the Consular Corps

The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Heads of International Organizations

Other Senior Officials of Government

Honorable Superintendents and chair of the Superintendent council

My wife and family

The Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus

The county Council of Grand Bassa

Religious Leaders of our Land

Traditional Leaders of our land

Elders and the people of Grand Bassa County
Members of the Fourth Estate

Invited Guest

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with profound honor, immense pride, and heartfelt joy that I welcome you to the historic City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, as we gather to celebrate the 179th Independence Anniversary of our beloved nation-the Republic of Liberia.
Today is more than a celebration of our independence. It is a celebration of our resilience, our unity, our progress, and our shared destiny as one people and one nation.
To His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia; to our distinguished guests from across Africa and around the world; and to every Liberian gathered here today, Grand Bassa warmly opens its arms and says: Welcome.
Welcome to the County of Hospitality.
Welcome to the City of Love.
Welcome to a land where history, culture, and progress meet.
Your presence here is a powerful affirmation of Liberia's growth among the community of nations and a testament to our collective commitment to peace, democracy, and development.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests:
Grand Bassa occupies a special place in the story of Liberia.
As one of the three original counties that built the foundation of our Republic, alongside Montserrado and Sinoe, Grand Bassa has been a crucial part of Liberia's journey from its earliest beginnings. With the arrival of settlers in the nineteenth century, this county emerged as one of the first centers of settlement and governance, helping shape the young nation we proudly celebrate today.
The incorporation of Bassa Cove into Liberia marked a defining moment in strengthening the unity and territorial integrity of our Republic-a reminder that from the very beginning, our nation has been built on the principles of inclusion, cooperation, and shared purpose.
Our capital city, Buchanan, named in honor of Thomas Buchanan, an American statesman and administrator who served as the first official Governor of the Commonwealth of Liberia remains a living symbol of that enduring legacy.
Throughout our history, Grand Bassa has stood as a pillar of national development. Our strategic seaport connected Liberia to global commerce. Our industries fueled economic growth. Our people contributed immensely to nation-building.
Grand Bassa County occupies a distinguished place in the Liberia's history, having produced some of the Republic's most influential leaders. Together, these statesmen helped shape Liberia's governance, development, and democratic space, reinforcing Grand Bassa's enduring legacy as a cradle of national leadership.
Beyond its political and economic significance, Grand Bassa remains a proud custodian of Liberia's rich cultural heritage.
The traditional values, and customs of the Bassa people continue to enrich our national identity, while our educational institutions and investment partners-including Grand Bassa University, ArcelorMittal Liberia, the Liberia Agricultural Company, and Equatorial Palm Oil-continue to create opportunities and shape the future of our county.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Guests:
The last time a centralized Independence Day celebration of this magnitude was held in Grand Bassa County was in 2007, during the 160th Independence Anniversary of our Republic.
Today, nearly two decades later, history returns to Grand Bassa County.
And history returns at a time when Grand Bassa is experiencing renewed hope and transformation in infrastructure development.
In the past, Critical infrastructures were destroyed, economic opportunities lost, and entire communities were left behind. Among the most visible consequences was the collapse of our electricity infrastructure.
Once among the first counties in Liberia to enjoy modern electricity through the industrial development of Buchanan.
Grand Bassa spent more than thirty years watching much of that progress fade away.
Today, that story is changing.
Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, electricity is returning to communities that have lived in darkness for generations.
Towns and villages across Grand Bassa are once again being connected to opportunity, education, healthcare, and economic growth.
Mr. President, the people of Grand Bassa deeply appreciate your unwavering commitment to infrastructure development and rural electricity. Your leadership is not merely restoring power lines-it is restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity to our people.
For that, we say thank you.
And today, by selecting Grand Bassa County as host of this historic 179th Independence Anniversary celebration, you have done more than choose a venue.
You have renewed a legacy.
You have restored pride.
You have reaffirmed the importance of decentralization.
And you have demonstrated that every county, every community, and every citizen matters in Liberia's story of decentralization.
In the spirit of our people, permit me to say:
Zohoo!
We receive this honor with humility.
We embrace it with gratitude.
And we stand ready and united to rise to the occasion.
Fellow Liberians:
As we celebrate 179 years of independence, let us remember that Liberia's greatest strength is not merely found in our history.
It is found in our unity.
It is found in our diversity.
It is found in our resilience.
And it is found in our shared determination to build a nation where every citizen can prosper and every community can flourish.
To our international guests, we say:
Welcome to Liberia.
Welcome to Grand Bassa County.
Welcome to the Port City of Buchanan.
To all Liberians, we say:
This is our moment.
May this celebration inspire hope.
May it strengthen national unity.
May it renew our commitment to peace, development, and inclusion.
Welcome to Grand Bassa-
A land of rich history,
A people of resilience,
And a county of pride.
May God bless Grand Bassa County.
And may God continue to bless the Republic of Liberia.

I thank you.

27/07/2026

26/07/2026

Reporters Association of Liberia Extends 179th Independence Day Greetings, Honors Journalists' Role in Strengthening Democracy

The leadership and members of the Reporters Association of Liberia-RAL extend heartfelt congratulations and warmest greetings to all Liberians at home and across the diaspora as the nation celebrates its 179th Independence Day.

As Africa's first independent republic, Liberia continues to bear the historic responsibility of promoting peace, democracy, and unity across the African continent.

This milestone provides an opportunity for all citizens to reflect on the nation's rich heritage, celebrate its achievements, and recommit themselves to building a brighter future.

On this occasion, the Association pays special tribute to the men and women of the media whose unwavering dedication to a free, independent, and responsible press has played a vital role in strengthening Liberia's democracy and advancing national development.

Their commitment to truth, accountability, and public service continues to shape the nation's future.

RAL calls on all Liberians to use this national celebration to renew their patriotism, uphold the values that unite the country, and work collectively toward a stronger, more peaceful, and prosperous Liberia.

As the nation commemorates 179 years of independence, the Reporters Association of Liberia wishes every Liberian a joyful and meaningful Independence Day celebration.

Happy 179th Independence Day, Liberia! May God bless the Republic of Liberia.

Signed:

Leadership

Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL)

11/05/2025

Thank you for being our guiding light through every storm.
We see your love in every choice we make.
We are proud to be your children, today and always.
Your love is the rhythm of our lives.
You inspire us to be the best version of ourselves.
We are who we are because of you—Happy Mother's Day to all mothers.

10/05/2025

"I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." - Tom Stoppard

12/04/2025

Senator Chie initiates Crackdown on Illicit Mining in Grand Kru


As the result of “rampant illegal mining” in Grand Kru County, Senate ProTempore Emeritus Albert T. Chie has mandated local authorities of the County to crackdown on illicit mining activities.

According to Senator Chie, it is no secret that foreigners and citizens, including sons of Grand Kru, are involved in unauthorized mining activities, thereby stressing an urgent need for comprehensive security and regulatory measures to curb exploitation and safeguard the County’s minerals.

Speaking Thursday April 10, 2025 during an official program held in Barclayville City for his arrival and appreciation tour in the County, Senator Chie cautioned citizens of Grand Kru to desist from harboring illicit miners in their respective communities, at the same time citing concerns about their negative impacts on the environment.

The Grand Kru County Senator who is also a trained Geologist emphasized that these unauthorized mining activities bring no tangible benefits to the County and central government at large, adding, all miners in the County are involved in illicit mining.

“In this County, your children have brought in 35 yellow machines to mine without the appropriate licenses; We have been told by the mining agent and mineral inspector that only few Chinese are here; but your own children mine illegally; they use the yellow machines to damage the land without reclamation and damage the roads. They refuse to help the county authority to help fix some of the roads.

Senator Chie: “The miners have polluted all the rivers with dredge equipment which are prohibited by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The traditional leaders and other community leaders sit idly and watch the destruction of their lands and rivers by mines in exchange for pittance. Madam Superintendent: as Senior Senator of the County you are authorized to seize any dredge machine in our rivers; you have my full backing”.

The Lawmaker who also served as Chairman on the Senate’s Statutory Committee on Public Works told citizens who had assembled in the Barclayville City Hall along with County Superintendent and Development officer, Madam Antoinette Worwlee Nimely and Joe M. Sekpeh, respectively, along with other County officials, that the rampant illegal mining activities are also a contributing factor to the deplorable roads in the county, as miners bring their heavy duty equipment via the roads.
“The continuous cry about the roads: it is not the bikes that are spoiling the roads; it is the trucks and yellow machines that are being brought by the miners spoiling the roads” Senator Chie stressed.

As he climaxed his appreciation tour in electoral District # 2, Senator Chie used the occasion to commend Citizens of Grand Kru County for overwhelmingly electing him during the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.