OP-ED: Conformity or Uniformity? Journalist Questions Liberia’s National Identity

By Rocheford T. Gardiner July 30, 2025

Liberia, situated on the West Coast of Africa, was founded by freed African slaves, primarily from the Americas. As was common during the era of colonialism, which characterized the zenith of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, colonies that gained a semblance of independence often adopted the physical and psychological traits of their former masters—a product of deep-seated colonial influence.

Arguably, Liberia was never officially colonized. Nevertheless, it has undoubtedly encountered a transmuted form of colonialism, both in the past and present—a phenomenon some now describe as “liberalism.”

This influence remains apparent today. The country’s flag, Constitution, form of government, and even its tastes in luxury, food, and hospitality all mimic its historical mentor: the United States of America. The ranks within the military, paramilitary, police, and other security apparatuses were direct copies of those used by Uncle Sam. In both primary and higher education, American standards were, and largely remain, the yardstick. Public institutions followed the American model, with government “Departments” headed by “Secretaries.”

This mimicry extended to the choice of cars, traffic configurations, and even license plates. Indeed, many Liberians, particularly from the upper class, strongly identified as American. They maintained tangible ties to the U.S. through real estate, private businesses, and academic affiliations. To this day, the Liberian Bar Association boasts the closest resemblance to its American counterpart on the continent.

Unique Standards

However, Liberia did establish some of its own unique standards. The academic calendar, for instance, ran from mid-February to mid-November.

But as time progressed, the need for change became apparent. According to Sister Mary Lauren, a renowned Liberian educator and Catholic nun, the academic calendar was becoming increasingly chaotic. Sister Lauren, who graduated from high school in 1961 and returned to Liberia in 1967 after training as a nun in the United States, saw the problems firsthand. The long waiting periods for students going to or returning from study abroad were becoming a menace.

“The only other country I remembered which had a similar academic calendar was Brazil,” said Sister Lauren. “That would have been during the time of Nathaniel V. Massaquoi, who served in the role equivalent to Minister of Education,” she continued. She and a few others, as direct victims of these non-complementary systems, began advocating for the government to consider a change.

Conversely, Liberians dependent on traditional farming for their livelihood—and to fund their children’s education—fiercely resisted synchronizing the calendar with the rest of the world. With the traditional calendar, children of farmers could return home during the long vacation to help with the harvest and sell produce, generating income for their school fees and other basic necessities.

Mother Lauren notes there was also the problem for foreign educators. “The argument, especially for university professors, was that they found it difficult going back home for vacation in winter and at other periods when their own children back home would still have been in school, thereby reducing quality time spent together. This was also true in reverse for the families of foreign professors wanting to visit Liberia during their own vacation time,” she explained.

She recounts that the proposed change was dismissed at the time, and the old calendar remained in place from the latter part of the Tubman administration until after the first Liberian Civil War.

Another unique Liberian standard is the name of its lawmaking body: the Legislature. Most other African nations use their former colonial masters’ term, “Parliament.” Its members are known as Legislators, and the body consists of an Upper and a Lower House. Fortunately, this nomenclature remains today.

But, unfortunately, some journalists reporting for foreign media outlets—perhaps due to a lack of confidence, knowledge, or a sheer fear of offending their paymasters, repeatedly and incorrectly refer to the Liberian Legislature as “Parliament.” This trend is also true in the local media where zealots in the editing departments of some newsrooms overlook these fine details.

New Postwar Standards

Following the 2003 peace agreement, a transitional government was established. The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) oversaw disarmament, and fresh elections were held in 2005. Throughout this period, security sector reform was paramount for maintaining lasting peace, and UNMIL was charged with restructuring the sector.

The problem was that most UNMIL trainers for the police were from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. Consequently, police ranks and ceremonials were changed to conform to NATO standards. Sadly, the Liberia National Police force now has ranks like “Commissioner” and “Superintendent.” This has resulted in confusion, as most Liberians associate these titles with local county government officials, not the police.

Recently, a newspaper article mistakenly referred to “the Superintendent of Maryland County” when the subject was actually a police officer in that county holding the rank of Superintendent. The County Superintendent’s office had to issue a swift rebuttal, as readers were already criticizing the Superintendent for what they perceived as meddling in police matters.

Even the title of the National Police Chief has been changed from “Director” to “Inspector General.” As one senior citizen remarked, “We Liberians are too quick to take other people’s things. See how all of our churches no longer sing Liberian gospel music? See how all our wedding ceremonies now use foreign music to march down the aisle?”

But Sister Mary Lauren sees it differently. When I suggested that Liberia has no choice in these matters, she countered, “Ministers were called Secretaries before the Tolbert regime, but the President changed the title to what we use today because he wanted to align with other African countries. Rocheford, you always have a choice, but you must have an alternative. What alternative was there when ranks in our police were being changed? Were there any objections or suggestions?”

The Trickle-Down Effect

Admittedly, conforming or unifying in some aspects is beneficial. For example, Liberia’s academic calendar is now in sync with the rest of the world, but this change came at a cost. Adapting this standard cost Liberia the grandeur of its Independence Day (July 26) and Flag Day (August 24) celebrations, two of the most important days in the nation’s history and pride. With schools now closed for summer vacation, students are no longer available for the grand parades and competitions that once defined these holidays.

Regarding the new police ranks, the confusion described earlier will likely not be a one-off incident, as many people remain unfamiliar with the changes even two decades later.

Revert or Keep Going?

As the pros and cons of these changes become clearer, should there be a rethink of at least some of them? Could there be exceptions? Is the central government considering the need for a public awareness campaign to address the confusion over titles and the diminished grandeur of Liberia’s highest national holidays?

How many more “conformities” or “uniformities” are yet to come?