MARGIBI – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has called on Kpelle people across Liberia to use their unity as a force for peace, national development, and cultural renewal rather than tribal superiority and division.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
Delivering the keynote address at the National Kpelle Unification Day celebration held in Kakata, Margibi County, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that the purpose of Kpelle unity should be to strengthen Liberia and promote collective national progress.
The program, held under the theme, “Kpelle Unity for Cultural Renewal, Peace, Development, and National Progress,” brought together traditional leaders, women groups, youth representatives, elders, and government officials from various parts of the country.
Dr. Yarkpawolo, who is a native of Zota District in Bong County, told the gathering that tribal identity should never be used to promote exclusion, hatred, or feelings of superiority over other ethnic groups.
According to him, Liberia’s peace and stability depend heavily on the ability of ethnic communities to embrace cooperation, tolerance, and shared national responsibility.
“We gather here today not merely to celebrate a tribe, but to reflect on a people, a culture, a responsibility, and a future. Kpelle unity must never be unity against any group. It must be unity for cultural dignity, peace, development, education, women and youth empowerment, and the progress of Liberia,” Dr. Yarkpawolo declared.
Speaking further, the EPA Executive Director warned that division, jealousy, political bitterness, and internal conflicts continue to weaken communities and undermine development efforts across the country.
He stressed that genuine unification requires healing old wounds, building trust, and placing community interest above personal ambition. “We have seen how division weakens families, communities, institutions, politics, and collective voice. True unification requires cooperation over division, respect over jealousy, service over selfishness, and the future over the past,” he said. Dr. Yarkpawolo added that because the Kpelle people constitute the largest ethnic group in Liberia, they have a major responsibility to demonstrate discipline, peace, and leadership in national affairs.
The EPA boss also called for Kpelle unity to rise above county, clan, and political boundaries. He reminded participants that Kpelle people are found across Bong, Margibi, Lofa, Bomi, Gbarpolu, and other counties, as well as neighbouring Guinea, but continue to share one ancestry and cultural heritage.
“The town may differ, the accent may vary, and the county may change, but the ancestry, memory, and spirit remain one,” Dr. Yarkpawolo stated. He explained that the idea of Kpelle unity is rooted in the traditional values of diplomacy, accountability, reconciliation, and collective responsibility that historically guided Kpelle communities long before modern political systems emerged.
Addressing the issue of cultural preservation, Dr. Yarkpawolo expressed concern about the gradual erosion of the Kpelle language among younger generations. He lamented that many young people identify as Kpelle but are unable to speak the language fluently because of the growing preference for English in homes and schools.
According to him, language carries the history, wisdom, identity, and spiritual memory of a people, and losing it would amount to losing an important part of cultural identity. He urged parents, educators, religious institutions, and community organizations to actively promote the use and preservation of the Kpelle language.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also used the occasion to stress the importance of women’s leadership in promoting peace and preserving cultural identity. He praised the contributions of prominent female figures in Kpelle history, including Chief Suah Koko, and described women as the foundation of families and communities.
“If we unify the men and leave women behind, we have only organized half of the house. Women are the first teachers of language, culture, discipline, and community values. Any serious discussion about unity and development must include the empowerment, protection, and advancement of women and girls,” he emphasized.
Turning his attention to young people, Dr. Yarkpawolo challenged Kpelle youth to embrace education, discipline, hard work, and service to society. He warned that pride without education and identity without discipline could become dangerous to the future of the community.
“Do not only say, ‘I am Kpelle.’ Ask yourself: Am I honest, hardworking, respectful, learning, serving, building, and avoiding drugs, violence, crime, and destructive behavior? These are the values that define true character and responsible leadership,” he told the audience. He encouraged young people to prepare themselves to become future leaders capable of promoting peace and national development.
In an additional appeal during his address, Dr. Yarkpawolo called on Liberians from all ethnic backgrounds to reject divisive politics and embrace national unity through mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
He said Liberia’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than conflict, adding that every ethnic group has a responsibility to contribute positively to national development. He noted that when communities choose peace, cooperation, and reconciliation over hatred and division, the entire country benefits socially, politically, and economically.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also devoted a significant portion of his speech to environmental protection and responsible development. Reflecting on his upbringing in Gomue Village, Kpaquellie Clan, Zota District in Bong County, he stressed the need to protect forests, rivers, farmlands, and natural resources for future generations.
He warned that illegal mining, deforestation, river pollution, and poor land management practices continue to threaten the livelihoods of many communities across Liberia. “A people cannot claim love for their ancestors while destroying the land those ancestors protected for them. Development must respect communities, preserve water sources, protect forests, and ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and productive environment,” he stated.
As part of his recommendations, Dr. Yarkpawolo proposed what he described as a “Kpelle Unification Compact,” aimed at promoting peace, cultural preservation, youth empowerment, women’s participation, environmental protection, and national service. He urged Kpelle citizens to reject hatred and political division and instead focus on building stronger communities through education, reconciliation, and collective development initiatives.
Dr. Yarkpawolo called on Kpelle people to ensure that the spirit of unification extends beyond ceremonial celebrations and becomes part of everyday life. He encouraged families and communities to preserve cultural values, respect elders, empower women, educate children, and protect the environment.
“May the Kpelle people be united. May our unity strengthen Liberia. May our culture live. May our children rise. May our land be protected. May our elders be honored. May our women be empowered. May our youth be educated. And may Liberia become stronger because the Kpelle people have chosen unity, peace, development, service, and leadership,” Dr. Yarkpawolo added.
