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Influential Liberian Individuals: The Top 10 Names to Know

6 min read January 23, 2024

Liberia, a West African nation, has produced a number of notable individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, gaining international recognition and acclaim. Here are ten of the most popular celebrities and notable people of Liberian ethnicity:

  • George Weah: A former professional footballer and current politician, George Weah is widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1995, becoming the first African player to receive the award, and served as President of Liberia from 2018 to 2023.
  • Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: The first female President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf served two terms in office from 2006 until 2018. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her efforts in rebuilding Liberia after years of civil war and promoting peace and democracy.
  • Harry Greaves, Jr.: A prominent businessman and politician, Harry Greaves, Jr. served as Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. He is known for his contributions to the country’s economic development and his efforts to attract foreign investment.
  • Thomas Dempster: A pioneering Liberian journalist, Thomas Dempster founded the country’s first independent newspaper, The Independent, in 1983. He played a crucial role in promoting freedom of the press and advocating for social justice during Liberia’s tumultuous political periods.
  • Ruth Perry: Ruth Perry served as interim President of Liberia from 1996 to 1997 during a period of transition after the civil war. She was the first female Vice President of Liberia and contributed to the country’s peace process and efforts to establish a new government.
  • Leymah Gbowee: A renowned Liberian peace activist, Leymah Gbowee co-founded the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement, which played a pivotal role in ending the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her efforts in promoting peace and nonviolent activism.
  • Alexander Cummings: A prominent Liberian businessman and politician, Alexander Cummings served as Minister of Commerce and Industry under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He is known for his role in promoting economic development and job creation in Liberia.
  • Musu Bako Sawolo: Musu Bako Sawolo is a Liberian human rights activist and founder of the Liberia Human Rights Center. She has been a vocal advocate for human rights and gender equality in Liberia, working to address issues such as violence against women and discrimination.
  • Patience Laku Gbessay: A notable Liberian gospel singer, Patience Laku Gbessay has released several albums and received recognition for her powerful vocals and inspiring songs. She has performed both locally and internationally, spreading messages of faith and hope through her music.
  • Korto Momolu: A Liberian-American writer and filmmaker, Korto Momolu has created award-winning documentaries and short films that explore social and political issues in Liberia. Her work has been featured in various international film festivals and contributed to raising awareness about Liberian history and contemporary challenges.
Liberia ( ), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5 million and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369 km2). The country's official language is English; however, over 20 indigenous languages are spoken, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. The capital and largest city is Monrovia. Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS), which believed black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States. Between 1822 and the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, more than 15,000 freed and free-born African Americans, along with 3,198 Afro-Caribbeans, relocated to Liberia. Gradually developing an Americo-Liberian identity, the settlers carried their culture and tradition with them. Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, which the U.S. did not recognize until February 5, 1862. Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa's first and oldest modern republic. Along with Ethiopia, it was one of the two African countries to maintain its sovereignty and independence during the European colonial "Scramble for Africa". During World War II, Liberia supported the United States war effort against Germany, and in turn received considerable American investment in infrastructure, which aided the country's wealth and development. President William Tubman encouraged economic and political changes that heightened the country's prosperity and international profile; Liberia was a founding member of the League of Nations, United Nations, and the Organisation of African Unity. The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered. Colonial settlements were raided by the Kru and Grebo from their inland chiefdoms. Americo-Liberians formed into a small elite that held disproportionate political power; indigenous Africans were excluded from birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904.In 1980, political tensions from the rule of William R. Tolbert resulted in a military coup during which Tolbert was killed, marking the end of Americo-Liberian rule in the country and beginning over two decades of political instability. Five years of military rule by the People's Redemption Council and five years of civilian rule by the National Democratic Party of Liberia were followed by the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars. These resulted in the deaths of 250,000 people (about 8% of the population) and the displacement of many more, with Liberia's economy shrinking by 90%. A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections in 2005.

Most Famous Liberian People

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Liberian Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Liberian community is known for its rich heritage and historical inheritances. From the early settlers and their influence on Liberian culture to the resilient spirit of the people, the Liberian community has a lot to offer. Here, we explore three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Liberian heritage.

1. The Americo-Liberian Influence

One of the most significant historical inheritances of the Liberian community is the Americo-Liberian influence. In the early 19th century, freed slaves from the United States migrated to Liberia and established a colony. These settlers, known as Americo-Liberians, brought with them their language, religion, and governance systems.

  • The English language became the official language of Liberia, as it was spoken by the Americo-Liberians.
  • Christianity was also introduced and remains a dominant religion in the country.
  • The governance systems implemented by the settlers were based on the American model, with a president and legislative branches.
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This Americo-Liberian influence is deeply ingrained in Liberian culture, making it a unique blend of African and American traditions.

2. The Vai Script

The Vai script is a syllabary writing system that was developed by a Liberian ethnic group called the Vai people. It is one of the few indigenous writing systems in Africa. The Vai script was created in the early 19th century and was primarily used for religious and ceremonial purposes.

  • The Vai script is notable because it enabled the Vai people to preserve their history and cultural traditions in a written form.
  • It is still used today by some Vai people, and efforts are being made to promote its preservation and recognition.

The Vai script is a testament to the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Liberia and serves as a symbol of pride for the Vai people.

3. The Resilient Spirit

Another significant historical inheritance associated with the Liberian community is its resilient spirit. Liberia has faced its fair share of challenges throughout history, including civil wars, economic instability, and the recent Ebola outbreak. Despite these hardships, the Liberian people have shown remarkable resilience and strength.

  • The country has made progress in rebuilding after the civil wars and is working towards economic development.
  • The Liberian people have also shown resilience in the face of health crises, such as the Ebola outbreak, by implementing effective public health measures.
  • Community support and unity have been crucial in overcoming these challenges and moving towards a brighter future.

The resilient spirit of the Liberian community is a testament to the strength and determination of its people, and serves as an inspiration to others.

In conclusion, the Liberian community has a rich heritage with several historical inheritances that contribute to its unique identity. From the Americo-Liberian influence to the Vai script and the resilient spirit, these inheritances shape the culture and character of the Liberian people.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Sapo, Mende and Gbandi roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

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Factsheet About Liberian People

Ethnic Group Population Percentage
Kpelle 1,400,000 20.3%
Bassa 900,000 13.1%
Gio-Mano 700,000 10.2%
Kru 600,000 8.7%
Loma 500,000 7.3%
Gola 400,000 5.8%
Americo-Liberian people (also known as Congo people or Congau people), are a Liberian ethnic group of African American, Afro-Caribbean, and liberated Africans. Americo-Liberians trace their ancestry to free-born and formerly enslaved African Americans who emigrated in the 19th century to become the founders of the state of Liberia. They identified themselves as Americo-Liberians.Although the terms "Americo-Liberian" and "Congo" had distinct definitions in the nineteenth century, they are currently interchangeable and refer to an ethnic group composed of the descendants of the various free and ex-slave African American, Caribbean, recaptive, and Sierra Leone Creoles who settled in Liberia from 1822. The designation "Congo" for the Americo-Liberian population came into common usage when these African Americans integrated 5,000 liberated Africans called Congos (former slaves from the Congo Basin, who were freed by British and Americans from slave ships after the prohibition of the African slave trade) and 500 Barbadian immigrants into the Americo-Liberian identity. Under Americo-Liberian leadership, the country was relatively stable, though the Americo-Liberians and indigenous West Africans maintained largely separate existences and seldom intermarried.In addition to indigenous Liberian chiefs and royal families, upper class Americo-Liberians and their descendants led the political, social, cultural and economic sectors of the country; alongside indigenous Liberian elites, upper class Americo-Liberians ruled the new nation from the 19th century until 1980 as a small but dominant minority. From 1878 to 1980, the Republic of Liberia was a de facto one-party state, ruled by elites of both the indigenous and Americo-Liberian-dominated True Whig Party and Masonic Order of Liberia.

The Ancient Heritage of Liberian Ethnic Groups

References to the Liberian Ethnic Group

The ethnic groups of Liberia display a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The main ethnic groups in Liberia include the Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Mano, Loma, and the Krahn people, among others. Each ethnic group has its own unique language, traditions, and customs.

The Kpelle, for instance, are the largest ethnic group in Liberia and are known for their agricultural lifestyle. They have a hierarchical social structure and traditional beliefs that play a significant role in their everyday lives.

The Bassa people are primarily located in the central and western parts of Liberia. They are known for their artistic skills, extensive knowledge of herbal medicine, and their traditional religious practices.

The Gio and Mano people live in the northern part of Liberia and are linguistically and culturally related. They are known for their secret societies and their initiation ceremonies play a crucial role in their social and political organization.

On the southeastern coast of Liberia reside the Krahn people. They have a strong warrior tradition and have historically been associated with resistance against external forces. They are known for their skill in ironworking and wood carving.

Overall, the ethnic groups of Liberia contribute to the country’s cultural diversity and heritage. They exhibit various customs, languages, and artistic expressions that make Liberia a fascinating place to explore.

That concludes the information we can provide about famous Liberian individuals. Thank you for reading.

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Syarif Muhamad

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