24/08/2026
179TH NATIONAL FLAG DAY ADDRESS..
Amb. Sasay Official
Chief Empowerment Officer, Impact Liberia
Impact Institute of Science and Technology.(IIST)
August 24, 2026
“OUR FLAG, OUR IDENTITY, OUR RESPONSIBILITY”
My fellow Liberians,
Today, August 24, 2026, as we proudly raise the Lone Star and celebrate the 179th National Flag Day of the Republic of Liberia, I extend warm patriotic greetings to every Liberian at home and abroad.
To our mothers and fathers, young people, children, students, teachers, entrepreneurs, farmers, workers, religious leaders, traditional leaders, members of the security forces, government officials, civil society actors, business communities, and every citizen who continues to contribute to the growth of our beloved country: Happy National Flag Day!
Today is more than a celebration of a beautiful national symbol. It is a day of reflection. It is a day to remember who we are, where we came from, what our national symbols represent, and—most importantly what responsibility we have to the Liberia we will leave behind for the next generation.
The National Flag of Liberia was adopted on August 24, 1847, shortly after Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847. The eleven stripes represent the eleven signatories of the Declaration of Independence, while the single white star represents Liberia's historic position as an independent African republic. The colors of our flag carry important historical meanings and remind us of the sacrifices, courage, vision, and aspirations of those who came before us.
Therefore, when we look at the Lone Star today, we should not see only red, white, blue, and a star.
✓We should see Liberia.
✓We should see our history.
✓We should see our struggles.
✓We should see our resilience.
✓We should see our hopes.
✓And we should see the responsibility placed upon our generation to build a stronger, more peaceful, educated, prosperous, and united Liberia.
THE FLAG REPRESENTS ALL OF US
My fellow citizens,
The Liberian flag does not belong to one political party.
It does not belong to one county.
It does not belong to one tribe.
It does not belong to one religion.
It does not belong to the rich or the poor.
The Liberian flag belongs to all of us.
From Cape Mount to Maryland, from Grand Gedeh to Grand Kru, from Lofa to River Gee, from Nimba to Sinoe, from B**g to Margibi, from Montserrado to Grand Bassa and across every community, town, city and village our flag represents one people and one nation.
We may speak different languages.
We may come from different backgrounds.
We may have different political opinions.
We may worship differently.
But when the Lone Star is raised, we are reminded that beneath all our differences, we are Liberians.
And Liberia must always be bigger than our differences.
OUR PATRIOTISM MUST GO BEYOND WORDS
Patriotism is not only about wearing the colors of the flag.
Patriotism is not only about singing the national anthem.
Patriotism is not only about posting the Liberian flag on social media.
True patriotism is demonstrated through our actions.
When a teacher enters a classroom and gives students knowledge, that is patriotism.
When a student chooses education over violence, that is patriotism.
When a young person learns a digital skill and uses it to create an opportunity instead of waiting for someone to rescue them, that is patriotism.
When a business owner employs another Liberian, that is patriotism.
When a citizen refuses to destroy public property, that is patriotism.
When a leader puts national interest above personal interest, that is patriotism.
When we protect the peace of our country, that is patriotism.
When we help the vulnerable, respect one another, pay our lawful obligations, protect our environment, and work honestly for the development of our communities, that is patriotism.
Our flag should therefore challenge us to ask ourselves:
What am I doing for Liberia?
Not only, “What is Liberia doing for me?”
A MESSAGE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF LIBERIA
To the young people of Liberia, I want to speak directly to you.
You are not the problem of Liberia. You are part of Liberia's solution.
Do not allow anyone to convince you that your future is already determined by your circumstances.
Your background does not have to become your limitation.
Your community does not have to determine the size of your dreams.
Your present situation does not have to define your tomorrow.
Liberia needs young people who can think.
Young people who can innovate.
Young people who can create.
Young people who can lead.
Young people who can use technology.
Young people who can build businesses.
Young people who can solve problems.
Young people who can acquire skills and use those skills to transform their communities.
This is one of the reasons we at Impact Liberia and Impact Institute of Science and Technology International continue to emphasize education, digital literacy, technology, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.
We believe that when you give a young person knowledge, you give them a tool.
When you give them a skill, you give them an opportunity.
And when you give them the confidence to use that skill, you give them the possibility to change their life—and potentially change their community.
Liberia cannot build a sustainable future by depending entirely on jobs created by others.
We must also create.
We must innovate.
We must develop our human capacity.
We must invest in technology.
We must equip our young people with practical skills.
And we must create an environment where Liberians can turn ideas into solutions.
EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY MUST BE PART OF OUR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
As we celebrate Flag Day, I call upon parents, educators, institutions, organizations, government, businesses, and development partners to invest more seriously in education and skills development.
The world is changing rapidly.
Artificial intelligence is changing the way people work.
Digital technology is transforming businesses.
Computers are changing classrooms and workplaces.
Social media has created new opportunities for communication, entrepreneurship, marketing, and employment.
Liberia must not be left behind.
Our children must not only learn how to use technology.
They must learn how to create with technology.
Our young people must not only become consumers of digital content.
They must become creators, innovators and problem-solvers.
We need more young Liberians learning computer applications, programming, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, cybersecurity, graphic design, entrepreneurship, data management, and other modern skills.
Because the Liberia we desire tomorrow will be built by the knowledge and skills we develop today.
LET US PROTECT OUR PEACE
My fellow Liberians,
Our flag also reminds us of the importance of peace.
Peace is not something we should take for granted.
We have experienced difficult chapters in our national history, and therefore we should never underestimate the value of peace.
Let us reject violence.
Let us reject hatred.
Let us reject tribalism.
Let us reject political intolerance.
Let us reject the mentality that says our fellow Liberian is our enemy simply because we disagree.
We can disagree without destroying one another.
We can debate without becoming enemies.
We can support different political ideas and still remain brothers and sisters.
Liberia belongs to all of us.
Let us therefore protect the peace our nation has worked so hard to achieve.
A CALL TO LEADERS
To our national leaders, community leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, educators, business leaders, and everyone entrusted with influence:
Let us lead with humility. pool ûí
Let us lead with integrity.
Let us listen to the people.
Let us invest in the future.
Let us create opportunities for young people.
Let us build institutions that will outlive us.
Leadership should not only be about occupying positions.
Leadership should be about creating impact.
The true measure of leadership is not how many people applaud us today, but how many lives become better because we served.
TO LIBERIANS ABROAD
To our brothers and sisters in the Liberian diaspora, we remember you today.
Whether you are in the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, or anywhere else around the world, you remain part of the Liberian story.
Your knowledge, resources, experiences, networks, and investments can contribute greatly to our national development.
We encourage you to continue supporting education, entrepreneurship, technology, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and community development.
Liberia needs you, and Liberia welcomes your contribution.
LET THE LONE STAR INSPIRE US
My fellow citizens,
As the Lone Star flies over our homes, schools, institutions, businesses, streets, communities, and public buildings today, let it remind us of something powerful:
We are responsible for the Liberia we build.
If we want a better Liberia, we must build it.
If we want educated communities, we must educate.
If we want skilled young people, we must train them.
If we want peace, we must practice peace.
If we want development, we must participate in development.
If we want accountable leadership, we must also become accountable citizens.
If we want opportunities, we must create opportunities.
And if we want our children to inherit a better Liberia, we must begin building that Liberia today.
MY FLAG DAY COMMITMENT
As the Chief Empowerment Officer of Impact Liberia and Impact Institute of Science and Technology International, I reaffirm my commitment to empowering Liberians through education, technology, skills development, innovation, and opportunities.
Our mission must continue to be bigger than ourselves.
We must continue to identify young people with potential.
We must continue to provide practical skills.
We must continue to promote digital literacy.
We must continue encouraging entrepreneurship.
We must continue creating platforms where ordinary Liberians can discover that they are capable of extraordinary things.
Because I believe that empowerment is not simply giving someone something—it is helping someone discover what they are capable of becoming.
A MESSAGE TO EVERY LIBERIAN
Today, I ask every Liberian to make one commitment:
Let us love Liberia not only with our words, but with our work.
Let us serve Liberia.
Let us educate Liberia.
Let us protect Liberia.
Let us develop Liberia.
Let us unite Liberia.
Let us empower Liberia.
Let us build a Liberia where our children will not have to leave the country simply to discover their potential.
Let us build a Liberia where talent is recognized.
Let us build a Liberia where skills create opportunities.
Let us build a Liberia where peace is protected.
Let us build a Liberia where young people have hope.
Let us build a Liberia where every citizen can say with pride:
“This is my country, and I have a responsibility to make it better.”
CONCLUSION
Fellow Liberians,
On this 179th National Flag Day, let us raise the Lone Star with pride but let us also raise our standard of responsibility.
Let us honor those who came before us by building something worthy of the sacrifices they made.
Let us honor our national symbols by respecting the nation they represent.
Let us honor our children by preparing a better future for them.
And let us honor Liberia by choosing unity over division, service over selfishness, education over ignorance, peace over violence, and development over destruction.
May the Lone Star continue to shine.
May Liberia continue to stand.
May our people continue to prosper.
And may God Almighty continue to bless the Republic of Liberia.
Happy 179th National Flag Day to every Liberian at home and abroad!
Long live the Republic of Liberia!
Long live the Lone Star!
One Nation. One People. One Destiny.
God Bless Liberia.
Amb. Alieu D. Sasay
Chief Empowerment Officer
Impact Liberia
Impact Institute of Science and Technology International (IIST)
August 24, 2026
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