By a Concerned Pan-Africanist
In what can only be described as a spectacular failure of historical imagination, Liberian politician Simeon Freeman recently proposed converting Liberia’s Executive Mansion into a five-star hotel. The Movement for Progressive Change leader declared he would transform the nation’s most symbolic political building to generate revenue, arguing that “the presidency can run from existing ministries” while the Mansion could be “used to generate revenue for the country.”
This proposition represents more than just a policy disagreement—it exemplifies a dangerous disregard for national symbolism, historical memory, and the very essence of patriotic stewardship that should guide our approach to governance. At a time when Liberia continues to rebuild from years of conflict, we must reject this commodification of our national heritage and recognize the Executive Mansion for what it truly is: a living monument to Liberia’s complex journey and aspirational future.
The Foundation Stone of Modern Liberia
To understand the profound miscalculation of Freeman’s proposal, one must first appreciate what the Executive Mansion represents. The current building emerged during the presidency of William V.S. Tubman, with construction beginning in 1961 and completing in 1964. This eight-story structure located in Monrovia’s Capitol Hill district was specifically designed to house the official residence and workplace of Liberia’s president, standing as an architectural embodiment of national governance.
The Mansion’s design reflects both practical governance needs and symbolic importance. Its semicircular structure features “gold colored composite rectangular shaped solar screen[s]” running across northern and southern surfaces from the second to seventh floors, while the building’s western and eastern exterior end-walls “are finished with mosaic tiles.” This is not merely a building—it is a carefully crafted symbol of national identity, intended to project Liberia’s sovereignty and dignity both to its citizens and the world.
Witness to Triumph and Tragedy
The Executive Mansion has been more than just a presidential office—it has been a silent witness to the most pivotal moments in Liberia’s contemporary history. It was within these walls that President William Tolbert, Tubman’s successor, met his gruesome end during the 1980 coup d’état that marked a bloody turning point in our nation’s story. The building itself became a crime scene, its halls stained with the blood of a president who was “gutted, in pajamas and bathrobe, by men led by a successor.”
During the subsequent presidency of Samuel Doe, the Mansion’s grounds witnessed further horrors. According to Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, “blood ritual and other sacrifices were performed at the Executive Mansion” meant to render the president and building “impregnable.” Hundreds of men were allegedly killed on the Mansion’s grounds following Thomas Quiwonkpa’s failed 1985 coup attempt. These events transformed the building from a mere seat of power into a repository of national memory—both glorious and traumatic.
Even in recent years, the Mansion has continued to play a central role in Liberia’s narrative. The building was damaged by fire on July 26, 2006, during independence celebrations, and has undergone multiple renovations, including one announced in 2017 ahead of presidential transitions. Each scar and restoration represents a chapter in Liberia’s ongoing story of resilience.
The Soul of a Nation Cannot Be Priced
What Freeman’s utilitarian proposal fails to grasp is that national symbols derive their power precisely from their refusal to be reduced to monetary value. The Executive Mansion represents:
· Democratic continuity: As “the official residence and workplace of the country’s president,” it physically embodies the peaceful transfer of power and stability of democratic institutions.
· National identity: The building serves as “a symbolic representation of the first Republic,” connecting contemporary Liberia to its historical roots.
· Collective memory: Its walls contain the complex layers of Liberia’s story—the achievements, the tragedies, the struggles, and the resilience that define the nation.
To propose turning this sacred space into a hotel is not merely misguided economics—it is a profound act of national forgetting, suggesting that Liberia’s history is worth less than potential tourism revenue.
Lessons from Global Counterparts
Freeman’s proposal appears even more misguided when examining how other nations treat their equivalent symbolic buildings. The White House in the United States stands as perhaps the most powerful comparative example. Though it too has faced fires, renovations, and moments of tragedy, no serious American politician would suggest converting it into a hotel. Why? Because Americans understand that some buildings transcend their physical utility to become living symbols of national identity and democratic continuity.
This pattern repeats across democratic nations—from the Palácio do Planalto in Brazil to the Élysée Palace in France. These buildings are preserved not despite their historical weight, but because of it. They serve as physical anchors for national memory and democratic values. Liberia’s Executive Mansion deserves the same reverence, not the speculative whims of politicians who see every national asset through the narrow lens of potential revenue.
A Call to Patriotic Stewardship
Rather than seeking to commercialize our national symbols, Liberian leaders should advocate for:
1. Preservation and education: Transforming parts of the Mansion into educational spaces where citizens and visitors can learn about Liberia’s political history.
2. Transparent restoration: Completing the Mansion’s renovations with public oversight, ensuring it remains a functional seat of government while honoring its historical significance.
3. National dialogue: Encouraging conversations about how to thoughtfully engage with Liberia’s complex history, using the Mansion as a starting point for reconciliation.
The challenge of honoring difficult history while maintaining national symbols is not unique to Liberia, but how we address this challenge speaks volumes about our maturity as a nation. Buildings that have witnessed tragedy can become powerful sites of collective learning and reflection when treated with the dignity they deserve.
Conclusion: Beyond the Balance Sheet
Simeon Freeman’s proposal reflects a concerning trend in contemporary politics—the reduction of every value to economic terms. Some aspects of national life exist beyond balance sheets, and the Executive Mansion is one such treasure. Its value lies not in its potential for revenue generation, but in its power to remind us of where we have been, what we have survived, and what we aspire to become as a nation.
To our Pan-African community: we must resist the erosion of historical memory wherever it occurs on our continent. Liberia’s Executive Mansion stands alongside Ghana’s Independence Square, Ethiopia’s Menelik Palace, and Tanzania’s State House as physical embodiments of hard-won sovereignty. We would not countenance the conversion of these other symbolic spaces into hotels, and we should not entertain similar proposals for our own Executive Mansion.
Let us move forward with a patriotism deep enough to honor our complex history, not one so shallow that it would sell our national soul for a handful of hotel revenue. The Executive Mansion is not for sale—it is held in trust for future generations of Liberians who deserve to inherit both the lessons and the symbols of their nation’s journey.
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