VP Koung Launches Arts and Culture Galleries at MICAT, Emphasizes the Importance of Cultural Preservation and Tourism

By Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay |Correspondent

Monrovia, Liberia- February 6, 2025 – Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has reaffirmed the significance of preserving Liberia’s cultural heritage, characterizing it as a foundational pillar of the nation’s identity and development.

During the official unveiling of the Arts and Culture Galleries at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Vice President emphasized that “culture cannot be overlooked” and called for concerted efforts to safeguard and promote Liberia’s cultural traditions.

Vice President Koung specifically noted the necessity of enhancing Liberian colloquialisms (popular expression or idioms) and integrating them into the national education system.

He underscored the critical role these colloquialisms play in defining Liberia’s unique identity and advocated for their inclusion in educational curricula to instill cultural pride in future generations.

Furthermore, the Vice President addressed the issue of tourism, urging the government to prioritize investments in this sector.

He particularly called for the restoration of the iconic yet neglected Hotel Africa, observing that its revitalization could serve as a symbol of Liberia’s tourism potential and generate significant revenue for the country.

While commending the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism for conceptualizing the Arts and Culture Galleries, Vice President Koung also expressed gratitude to the National Legislature for the recent passage of the Tourism Bill, which facilitates the establishment of the National Tourism Commission.

He recognized this development as a positive advancement toward creating a sustainable framework for tourism growth in Liberia.

Meanwhile, the Vice President underscored the importance of investing in media, highlighting that effective information dissemination is vital to the nation’s progress.

“Information dissemination remains crucial to the development process,” he stated, calling for enhanced government support to strengthen media infrastructure and its role in promoting Liberia’s cultural and economic initiatives.

For his part, Information Minister Jerolinmek Mathew Piah emphasized the galleries’ purpose as a significant step toward revitalizing Liberia’s cultural and artistic sectors, which have often been overlooked.

He called for ongoing government support not only for this new initiative but also for the reactivation of the National Culture Center of Liberia, which he described as an essential institution for preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.

According to the Information Minister, the unveiling of the Arts and Culture Galleries marks a key milestone in Liberia’s efforts to celebrate and protect its rich cultural history while recognizing the potential of tourism to drive economic development and foster national pride.

The event brought together numerous dignitaries, including members of the legislature, cabinet ministers, presidential advisors, and ambassadors, among others.

Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief