By: Austin S Fallah -A True Son of Liberia, Africa, and the Planet Earth Soil.
In the vibrant tapestry of African history, symbols carry weight far beyond their physical manifestations.
They bear the collective hopes, shared struggles, and the unyielding spirit of unity among diverse nations.
Such is the case with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Center/Village in Banjor, Montserrado County, Liberia, a once proud emblem of African solidarity now languishing in ruins.
The deterioration of this historic site raises a cardinal question.
Can Liberia aspire to hold any significant leadership role in African organizations when it has yet to restore the very symbol of African identity that it hosts?
This pressing concern merits a robust discussion, especially given Liberia’s unique heritage as Africa’s first independent republic.
A nation that should, arguably, stand at the forefront of preserving the continent’s cultural legacies.
The Battered Beacon of Unity:
The dilapidated state of the OAU Center/Village stands in stark contrast to the unity and strength it once symbolized.
In the heydays of African independence movements and decolonization, leaders from across the continent gathered within the OAU Village to forge alliances and strategies for the future of Africa.
These convergences were cornerstone events that helped shape African socio-political dynamics.
However, the ravaging Liberian Civil War that spanned over 14 years not only shattered the lives of countless citizens but also left indelible scars on the country’s infrastructure and cultural landmarks, including the OAU Center/Village.
The OAU Center/Village’s degradation is emblematic of larger issues that undermine Liberia’s historical contributions and potential leadership role in Africa.
To neglect what was once a fulcrum for continental diplomacy and unity is to forget the collective aspirations it represented.
Such neglect begs the question.
How can Liberia advocate for African advancement when it has faltered in honoring and preserving a pivotal site of the continent’s collective history?
The Call to Action: Renovating Cultural Heritage:
This powwow argues the pressing need for the Boakai-Koung Administration to summon the fortitude required to refurbish the OAU Center/Village.
This act will not only rekindle the pride of the Liberian people but also demonstrate to Africa and the world that Liberia respects its past and seeks to play a formative role in shaping Africa’s future.
Renovating the OAU Center/Village is more than restoring a building.
It is about reviving a beacon of hope, dialogue, and unity in a continent that greatly benefits from symbols of its shared heritage and goals.
The neglect observed at the OAU Center/Village is not isolated but indicative of a broader trend that saw the Kendeya Culture Center, another site of substantial historical significance, fall to ruin, by the sale of Liberia’s Culture by former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Such disregard for cultural heritage casts a grim shadow over Liberia’s stewardship of historical sites, underscoring the urgency for the country to rectify this pattern of abandonment and disrespect for cultural heritages.
If hundreds of millions of United States dollars were poured into these sites, their neglect is tantamount to an unfathomable squandering of financial and cultural resources.
It is imperative that Liberians not allow such significant symbols of their history to disappear into the abyss of time.
Rebuilding the OAU Center (Village) will create a tangible connection to the nation’s past glories and the continent’s aspirations for unity.
It will also provide a vibrant locale where the spirit of African collective identity can once again thrive, fostering discussions, commemorations, and celebrations pertinent to the continent’s journey.
The Boakai-Koung Administration stands at a crossroads, facing the choice between allowing relics of the past to crumble or championing a renewal that aligns with their mandate.
What choices are made now will undoubtedly be scrutinized in the lore of time and the chronicles of history.
Will they be censured for their inaction or lauded for their vision and commitment to African heritage?
Liberia’s Commitment to the Future:
The renovation of the OAU Center/Village can spearhead a movement toward recognizing and preserving other cultural and historical sites across Liberia.
A national campaign to restore and protect these sites will not only benefit the country’s cultural landscape but also have far-reaching implications for tourism, education, and national pride.
It will reposition Liberia as a custodian of African heritage and serve as a testament to the Boakai-Koung Administration’s legacy.
Furthermore, Liberia’s commitment to rehabilitating the OAU Center/Village could elevate the country’s status within African and international councils.
Global observers and fellow African nations will likely perceive such a move as a declaration of Liberia’s dedication to the principles of African unity and collaboration that the OAU (Now AU) symbolized.
This action could catalyze a surge in diplomatic clout and leadership prospects for Liberia within African organizations, from the African Union (AU), the successor of the OAU, to regional and sub-regional cooperatives.
To overlook the symbolism of the OAU Center/Village is to turn one’s back on Liberia’s revered spot in the annals of African autonomy and leadership.
The call to action is clear, and the Boakai-Koung Administration must galvanize national will and resources to breathe new life into the OAU Center.
Doing so will stand as a testament to Liberia’s respect for its African lineage and its aspiration to lead by example in continental unity and cooperation.
Renovation of the OAU Center is a monumental endeavor requiring courage, commitment, and vision.
It is an investment in Liberia’s past and its future, securing its place in the evolving narrative of Africa.
When modern history books are penned on Liberia, may they herald the rejuvenation of the OAU Center/Village as a pivotal chapter where Liberia reclaimed its stature, honoring its cultural relics and affirming its influential role in Africa’s journey.
Renovate, Renovate, Renovate the OAU Center/Village for the good of Liberia and Africa. The OAU Center/Village was a Liberian and African Pride and a source of Revenue.
