08/16/2025
|Liberia 🇱🇷| Here are some achievements of William V. S. Tubman, Just In Case You Missed It! William V. S. Tubman (1944–1971) is often called the “Father of Modern Liberia”
Here’s a comprehensive list of what Tubman did during his 27-year presidency:
1. National Policies
*Open Door Policy:
President Tubman introduced the Open Door Policy in 1944, which attracted massive foreign investment in mining, rubber, timber, and infrastructure.
* Unification Policy:
He later on introduced to Unification Policy in 1946, sought to integrate indigenous Liberians into political, economic, and social life.
*Abolished the old province system and replaced it with new counties (B**g, Nimba, Lofa and Grand Gedeh in 1964).
*Citizenship Rights for Indigenous People:
Indigenous Liberians were granted full citizenship and the right to vote (before 1946, they were largely excluded)!
2. Major National Institutions
*Armed Forces of Liberia (modernized) – Tubman built army bases and expanded Liberia’s defense forces.
*Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) – in other to manage petroleum imports and refining, President Tubman also established the LPRC.
*National Bureau of Concessions – Tubman established the National Bureau of Concessions to regulate foreign investment deals.
3. Landmark Infrastructures
*Capitol Building:
President Tubman built the Capitol Building in 1958 to serve the National Legislature.
*Executive Mansion:
He also built the Executive Mansion in 1964, as Presidential residence.
*Temple of Justice:
In 1965, Tubman went on to construct the Temple of Justice for Judiciary headquarters.
*Monrovia City Hall:
He also built the Monrovia City Hall to host the office of the Mayor and the City Cooperation.
*Roberts International Airport (RIA):
Tubman officially opened the RIA in 1945, expanded and modernized the airport.
*Freeport of Monrovia:
In 1948, the modern seaport of Monrovia was introduced, though completed by his successor Tolbert jr.
*Buchanan and Harper Ports:
He also expanded the seaports at Buchanan and Harper and kept them active.
* Centennial Pavilion:
In 1947, Tubman built the Centennial Pavilion commemorating the nation's 100th Independence Centennial monument.
*Masonic Temple:
The modernization of the Mason Building on Benson Street was done by Tubman.
*Ducor Intercontinental Hotel:
In 1960, first luxury international hotel in West Africa was introduced. "Tubman The Show Eater " 😅
4. Regional Development
*Tubmanburg (Bomi Hills), formerly Vai Town – developed as a major mining hub.
*Expansion of Buchanan for LAMCO iron ore exports. Introducing railroad in the city for the first time.
*Modernization of Harper:
Building of roads, hospital, schools, seaport. Making Harper a place of attraction at the time.
* Built the Antoinette Tubman Stadium and also introduced the National County Sports Meet.
5. Education & Health
*Expansion of the University of Liberia:
Tubman’s era oversaw the construction of modern campus buildings including Fendall Campus development (groundwork).
*Booker Washington Institute (BWI):
There was also an expansion of the technical and vocational education at BWI.
*High schools across the counties:
Tubman built various high school some of which were named after him to integrate education nationwide.
*Tubman Memorial Hospital (Harper) – one of Liberia’s best hospitals at the time.
*Numerous clinics and rural health facilities were also built.
6. International & Diplomatic Initiatives
*Founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963):
Liberian Tubman was a key figure in founding of Africa's continental organization known as the African Union today.
*Strengthened Liberia’s global image as the oldest independent African republic.
* Hosted international conferences:
One of the major was the 1961 Monrovia Conference of African leaders, which prompted the formation of the African Union.
7. Economic Impact
*Tubman made Liberia one of the fastest growing economies in Africa in the 1950s–60s.
*Railways:
Railroads were built by foreign concession companies (LAMCO, B**g Mining Co., etc.) – Tubman’s policies encouraged these.
* Liberia became the largest exporter of iron ore in Africa under Tubman's presidency.
* He established the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism in 1965.
8. Key Roads Built by Tubman:
~ Monrovia → Robertsfield (RIA) Highway
* Constructed to connect Monrovia with Roberts International Airport (RIA). This was one of the first modern paved highways outside the capital.
~ Monrovia → Buchanan Highway (Grand Bassa County)
* Opened up the port of Buchanan and facilitated iron ore exports (LAMCO project).
~ Monrovia → Gbarnga Highway (B**g County)
* Extended Liberia’s road system into the central interior.
~ Monrovia → Ganta Highway (Nimba County)
* Opened access to the northeast and the iron ore-rich Nimba region.
~ Ganta → Sanniquellie → Yekepa Roads
* Built mainly to service LAMCO’s iron ore concession.
* Connected Liberia with Guinea.
~ Monrovia → Tubmanburg Highway (Bomi Hills)
* Constructed to access Bomi Hills iron ore mines, one of Liberia’s biggest mining areas at the time.
➤ Coastal Roads:
~ Monrovia → Robertsport (Grand Cape Mount County).
~ Buchanan → Greenville (Sinoe County).
~ Greenville → Harper (Maryland County) (partially built under Tubman, though some sections remained laterite).
➤ Urban Roads:
* Monrovia City Roads – Paving of Broad Street, Ashmun Street, and other major city arteries.
* Harper City Roads (Maryland County) – paved and modernized (Tubman’s hometown). 👀
