BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County – In a vibrant display of civic pride and heritage preservation, the Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence National Youth Mentorship Program officially hosted the local language translation and Cultural Dance Competition on Sunday, June 7, 2026. The prestigious event, which brought together students, educators, and government officials, was held at the Unification Pavilion in Buchanan.
The initiative focused on the translation and performance of the Liberian National Anthem into the Bassa language, alongside traditional cultural dance exhibitions.
Speaking at the event, the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, emphasized that the initiative is designed to promote Liberia’s rich cultural legacy among the younger generation.
A total of 13 local schools competed in the day’s events, showcasing extraordinary talent across two distinct academic divisions: five junior high schools and eight senior high schools.
In the highly competitive cultural dance category, Harvest Christian Academy delivered a spectacular performance to secure the first-place trophy. Meanwhile,Buchanan Open Bible Standard School emerged victorious in the national anthem singing competition, earning top honors for their exceptional vocal delivery.
The event attracted a high-profile audience, including key education stakeholders, senior government officials, and executives from the Office of the Liberia Cultural Ambassador.
The program was met with widespread acclaim from both educators and families. Parents and school administrators expressed immense gratitude to the President Pro Tempore for launching a sustainable platform dedicated to cultural revival.
”Most of our children have grown up disconnected from their roots, but through programs like this, they will learn more about what it truly means to be Liberian,” noted one appreciative parent during the closing ceremonies.
The National Youth Mentorship Program aims to make the competition an ongoing benchmark for youth empowerment and cultural education across the region.
