The year 2025 witnessed a historic milestone in Liberia-Barbados relations, marked by the 160th anniversary of Crozierville, a settlement founded by Barbadian immigrants. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia and President Dame Sandra Prunella Mason of Barbados presided over the commemorative events, solidifying the ancestral and diplomatic ties between the two nations. The centerpiece of the celebration was the unveiling of the Liberia-Barbados Heritage Presidential Monument, a tribute to three Liberian presidents of Barbadian descent: Arthur Barclay, Edwin Barclay, and Charles Gyude Bryant. These leaders played instrumental roles in shaping Liberia’s political landscape, and the monument serves as a lasting recognition of their contributions and the enduring Barbadian legacy within Liberia.
The festivities extended beyond the unveiling of the monument. President Boakai also dedicated a newly christened “Barbados Circle” in Crozierville, a symbolic gesture acknowledging the town’s historical roots. The presidents were greeted with traditional Liberian hospitality, including the presentation of a live white chicken and kola nuts, symbolizing peace and welcome. They toured the local heritage center, where President Boakai officially unveiled the trio of monuments and a larger commemorative marker narrating the 160-year-old journey of Barbadian settlers to Liberia. The day also included a service at the historic Crozierville Church, allowing residents to reconnect with their Barbadian heritage in a meaningful way.
The multi-day celebration commenced with a welcoming ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia on Friday, followed by a luncheon at Monrovia City Hall and a visit to Providence Island. Saturday’s events in Crozierville marked the culmination of the festivities. During the official program, Township Chairperson Dr. Ophelia I. Weeks highlighted Crozierville’s rich history and recognized prominent community members, including youth advocates, a long-serving commissioner, and dedicated educators. This recognition underscores the importance of community leadership in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage.
President Boakai’s remarks emphasized the significance of the Barbadian contribution to Liberia’s national narrative. He underscored that Liberia’s strength resides not in its natural resources but in the diverse people who have contributed to its development, highlighting the Barbadian settlers as an integral part of this tapestry. President Mason echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the tribute and reinforcing the ancestral bond between the two nations. She emphasized the resilience of the Barbadian settlers who sought a new beginning in Liberia, underscoring the shared history and the imperative to maintain this connection through ongoing cooperation and cultural exchange.
The presentation of a commemorative cloth featuring both the Liberian and Barbadian flags served as a tangible symbol of the nations’ unity and shared history. Ambassador Lawrencezoe Witherspoon, a direct descendant of the Crozierville settlers, played a pivotal role in revitalizing awareness of this historical connection. His 2020 book, “The Ports Find a New Home in Liberia,” sparked renewed interest in Barbadian-Liberian relations and paved the way for President Mason’s historic visit. Witherspoon recounted the 2023 “Sankofa Pilgrimage,” a symbolic return to their roots by a group of Liberians who traveled to Barbados. The eight-day visit, hosted by the Barbadian government, culminated in a mutual desire to establish formal diplomatic relations.
The establishment of formal diplomatic ties between Liberia and Barbados, a long-awaited development, was finally realized after concerted efforts spanning over a century and a half. While attempts to formalize the relationship date back to President Daniel Warner’s era, it was under President Boakai’s administration, aided by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that significant progress was made. This culminated in a successful visit to the Barbadian Embassy in Ghana and the subsequent agreement that cemented the diplomatic relationship. The establishment of these ties underscores the enduring bond between the two nations and their shared commitment to future collaborations. The story of Crozierville itself harks back to the generosity of the Crozier brothers of the American Colonization Society, who provided crucial financial support enabling the Barbadian settlers’ journey to Liberia. The land granted to them by President Warner, with each family receiving 25 acres, formed the foundation of the settlement that would eventually bear their benefactors’ name, a lasting testament to their contribution to the town’s founding and the enduring legacy of the Barbadian settlers in Liberia.
