Lofaians Call on Government to Establish Cemetery in Major Cities

By: J. Mason Kollie |Lofa Correspondent

Voinjama City, Lofa County |March 13, 2026| Hundreds of people in Lofa County particularly Voinjama City on Wednesday March 11, 2026 observed the National Decoration Day with a call for the Government of Liberia through the City Corporations in the county to establish government owned cemetery in key cities.

According to some of the residents who spoke to our microphone on Decoration Day, they expressed frustration that major cities in Lofa; lack government cemetery as a result, family members and well-wishers are sometime compelled to bury their loved ones either on private land cum private cemetery within the confines of these cities.

“At times, when we are in tears looking for place to bury, the city corporation don’t show us a specific area to lay our dead relatives to rest, and if you want to go on private property; they restrict us. We are really suffering for spots to bury,” Damowa Koiwu indicated while cleaning her mother’s grave at Bazzie Cemetery; Voinjama City.

Since the war ended, the City Corporation in Voinjama and other cities are not allowing people to bury their dead in ordinary spaces cum private property, but they have at the same time, also failed to identify and make available to the public, government owned cemeteries for burial.

When contacted as to what the City Corporation is doing about the calls from citizens, Voinjama City Mayor, Mrs. Pendora C.W Zayzay said, “the city corporation is working towards it”.

“As I speak to you, we are in discussion with the Kortee Family to legalize the proposed Government Cemetery site around the joint Security check point in Voinjama,” City Mayor Mrs. Pendora Zayzay assured during a called phone interview.

The Voinjama City Corporation have at the same time called on all private cemetery owners in the city to formally register with The City Government or risk to be closed.

Decoration Day in Liberia has its roots in the country’s history, dating back to an Act of the National Legislature approved on October 24, 1916. This Act declared the second Wednesday of March each year as “Decoration Day” to be observed as a National Holiday. The day is meant to honor and remember the nation’s past heroes and heroines who lived and died for their country.

The tradition is believed to have been brought to Liberia by American settlers, who founded the colony in the 1820s and subsequently, proclaimed independence in 1847.

On Decoration Day, Liberians from all walks of life, typically visit cemeteries, clean and decorate graves, and lay wreaths to pay their respects to loved ones already departed this world.

The National Ensign is also flown at half-mast as a sign of recognition cum mourning.