Brief History of Liberia


Liberia, covers 43,000 square miles (111,000 sq.km.) and is situated on the West Coast of Africa. It is bounded on the east by the Cote d' Ivoire, on the west by Sierra Leone, the north the Republic of Guinea, and the south Atlantic Ocean. The climate is particularly warm and humid. There are two distinct seasons - a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season, lasting from May to November. The dry season is from December to April. Thunderstorms and lightning storms occur during the rainy months.

The population is estimated at about 2. 5 million. Ninety-five per cent of the total population consist of sixteen indigenous ethnic groups. The other five per cent are descendants of settlers from the United States and other freed slaves. Although English is the official language and is taught in the schools, there are some twenty-eight dialects spoken in the country. There is freedom of worship and religion in Liberia. Although the population is predominantly Christian, the Muslim proportion of the population is also substantial. In addition, a number of indigenous African religions are practiced in the country.

Liberia was founded in 1821 by the American Colonization Society. On the 26 of July 1847 Liberia gains Declaration of Independence, proclaiming Liberia a free, sovereign and independent nation. Liberia thus became the first black independent state on the African continent. Liberia is also a member of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), the Lome Convention, the Non-Aligned Movement and is one of the founding members of the United Nations and the Organization of Africa Unity (OAU). Liberia is basically an agricultural country and almost 80 percent of its population is involved in some form of agriculture. The majority are small-scale "subsistence" farmers, operating under the system of shifting cultivation. The basic crops are rice and cassava, which form the staple foods. In addition, cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, oil palm and citrus are grown on small plots. Rubber was by far the most important agricultural commodity produced; until the war it was the country's second largest earner of foreign exchange, after iron ore. There are many species of good quality timber in Liberian forests, also which contributed an average about 14 per cent of total export revenue per year. Other mineral deposits include bauxite, copper, diamonds, manganese, gold and zinc. The extent and quality of these deposits has not yet been fully determined. Amoung the major industrial enterprises in Liberia, are factories producing cement, glass bottles, plastic utensils, foam matresses, soft drinks, matches, and a brewery.

The present business Community comprises mostly Lebanese and Indians who operate most of the large stores and commercial enterprises, with a large number of Guineans, Sierra Leoneans and Ghanaians.

Customs Regulation/Shipping Goods      Top of Page

All imported articles are subject to customs regulations and import duties are levied on most articles brought into the country. However, international personnel are permitted to import goods duty-free. All personal effects and goods sent to Liberia should be carefully packed and waterproofed. All official shipments should be addressed to the Representative of the concerned agency. Shipments from Asia generally take approximately three months, four to six weeks from Europe and the United States. Normal customs clearance procedures are required, and shipments are cleared duty-free. The American system of weights and measure is in use.

The requirements of the Government of Liberia for international vaccination certificates under the WHO International Sanitary Regulations should be checked prior to travel. The present immunization requirements for travel to Liberia are:Yellow Fever: Vaccination required for arrivals from all countries (except children under one year) The United Nations Health Service recommends that adults be immunized against typhoid and tetanus. Children should be immunized against poliomyelitis, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Children of pre-school age should be protected by BCG vaccines. All of these are available at the UN Dispensary. Malaria, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, worm infestations and amoebic disorders are prevalent diseases. Snakes, including some that are poisonous, are found in the country. Bilharziasis ("snail fever") and onchocerciasis ("river blindness") exist in certain areas of the interior. It is advisable for newcomers to be on guard against digestive disorders caused by food and water contamination. Malaria suppressive (the types taken weekly are most convenient) should be used regularly. It is recommended that water used for brushing teeth is chlorinated. Fruits, vegetables should be washed thoroughly before being eaten.

Rice is the staple food in Liberia. It is eaten with a variety of sauces made from green vegetables. Also popular is palm butter, a dish from Eastern Liberia made from palm nuts. The dishes highly spiced. Soup, made from a combination of meat, fish and chicken is another very popular main dish and is often served with fufu or dumboy - made from fermented and pounded cassava, respectively. Most of the food consumed by foreign residents in Liberia is imported and can be found in local supermarkets. Fresh fruits are available in season and include bananas, citrus fruits, watermelon, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, and guavas. Locally produced vegetables include lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, string beans, corn, cabbage, okra, potato greens, eggplants, avocados and others.A wide selection of imported drinks and fruit juices is available in good supply. A variety of soft drinks as well as one brand of beer (CLUB) is produced locally. There is usually a good choice of different brands of imported beer. 

Education System       Top of Page

The educational system is centralized and all schools, whether public or private, operate under the control and direct supervision of the Ministry of Education. Schooling consists of six years of elementary education (official age of admission is six years) and six years of secondary education, which is completed in two stages- Junior High School and Senior High School. Each of these two stages is of three years duration. The University of Liberia (UL) and Cuttington University College in Suakoko, Bong County provides four-year courses leading to a bachelors degrees. Cuttington University College which was closed due to the Liberian war has now re-opened. In addition, the University of Liberia offers a masters degree programme in Regional Planning and International Relations. The University of Liberia also operates a Law School, and School of Medicine (Degliotti)both of which accept only degree holders. It must be mentioned that Monrovia is a non-family duty station. Some Liberian educators recently opened an international school called "The International School of Liberia, where modern instructional methods are used. However, tuition and other fees are extremely high.

The Government usually provides U.N. experts with office accommodation in the ministry or agency to which they are assigned. Secretarial assistance is also usually provided by Government. The Government official working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Other services provided by local UN Agencies include: Clearance and delivery of unaccompanied shipments; Processing of duty-free applications for purchase of goods;Travel and visa arrangements for official travels; Obtaining of Liberian driving licenses, Payment of salaries and other entitlements, Arrangements for shipment of personal and household effects on completion of assignment;Pouch services, and Briefing on living and working conditions in the country upon initial arrival.

Social Life and Entertainment      Top of Page

Liberians are friendly people, courteous and considerate to foreigners. Formal social contacts are mainly confined to receptions and parties but more personal relations can also be formed. Liberians greet each other and foreigners with their unique handshake, which is accompanied by a snap of the middle finger.

The only club operating now that UN personnel could join is the Rotary Club. There is also a health club which offers aerobics classes for men and women. Liberians are enthusiastic soccer fans.

The National Cultural Troupe sponsored by the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs has its headquarters about 15 miles from Monrovia. "Kendaja", the cultural village is undergoing slow reconstruction following its destruction during the war years.

In Monrovia, there are several night clubs and discos which stay open until the early hours of the morning. They are found mostly in the Gurley and Carey Street areas of central Monrovia. The Barcardi's Disco at Hotel Africa, Virginia and Pepper Bush Lounge, Bar and Restaurant located at Warren Street, downtown Monrovia are the most classy. Monrovia has several beautiful beaches. However swimmers must be very cautious of strong currents which can be very dangerous. Children should only swim in pools. Fishing is excellent in rivers and in the ocean, opportunity for hunting is limited to mostly upcountry,

The Liberian Broadcasting System (LBS) operates an FM radio station on 91.70 MHz. from 6:00 a.m. through mid-night throughout the week. The BBC's Focus on Africa is relayed on several station at 5:05 p.m. each day. The Liberia Communications Network (LCN) owned by the NPP runs an FM station "Kiss" (89.9 MHz), a short-wave station and a television station. Other privately owned mostly FM radio stations also operate in the country. The range of most FM radio and television stations cover Monrovia only. 

Liberia offers the venture some traveler attractive scenery and interesting indigenous cultures. Indigenous Liberian culture is still evident in many parts of the country, particularly in Suehn in Bomi County, 35 miles from Monrovia, Medina in Grand Cape Mount County and in many parts of nearby Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties, clearance should be however gotten from the UN Field Security Officer. Other neighboring countries also have resorts, beach hotels etc. such as Cote d' Ivoire, Ghana, the Gambia and Senegal. 

ARRIVAL      Top of Page

A UN personnel travelling to Liberia should use the United Nations Laissez-Passer whenever possible upon entering or leaving Liberia. Only a VIP "gratis" stamp and a multiple entry visa with one year duration at a time, (usually issued upon arrival into the country) are required on this document, and registration and residence formalities are facilitated when the LP is used. Consultants and United Nations volunteers who are not holders of UN travel document should obtain entry visas on their own national travel documents from the nearest Liberian embassy or consulate in order to enter the country. Citizens from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) do not need visas to enter.

Upon arrival in the country, national travel documents should be presented immediately to the concerned on Agency office in Monrovia for processing of necessary immigration formalities within 48 hours. If the duration of stay is expected to be more than 90 days or up to one year or more, a permit of Residence must be obtained. For UN personnel, permit of Residence is obtained on gratis basis. Four passport size photographs (color) are required. For periods of less than 90 days, a permit for temporary stay must be obtained. Persons travelling on their national passports require an Exit Permit for departure from Liberia. If assistance is required from UNDP office to obtain this permit, travel documents should be submitted one week from the date of issue.

It is recommended that all travelers to Liberia bring along a number of hard back color passport size photographs (about 12) since they will be needed for many purposes, i.e. identity cards, visas, drivers' licenses, etc. Though these can be obtained in Monrovia, it is convenient to have them on hand on arrival

Liberia can be reached by sea, air or land. Roads link Liberia with the Republic of the Cote d' Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Shipping lines operate regular services from America and Europe to Monrovia - a free port is served mostly by cargo ships, with no passenger capacity. There are three other international ports in Liberia - Buchanan in Grand Bassa County, Greenville in Sinoe County and Harper in Maryland County. 
Roberts International Airport (RIA), which is located 45 minutes drive from Monrovia, served many international airlines and provided connections to all parts of the world, prior to the Liberian war. 

A domestic airfield, Spriggs Payne Airfield, located three miles from the center of Monrovia was used for connections with neighboring countries such as Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. flights to and from RIA: Weasua Air Transport based in Monrovia, Air Ivoire, based in Abidjan, Air-Guinea based in Conakry and Ghana Airways based in Accra.

TRANSPORTATION      Top of Page

Due to the security situation and the distance of Roberts International Airport (RIA) from the city, the Country offices of the Agencies here usually provide official visitors to Monrovia with transportation to and from the airport and at, times, for the duration of their missions. Experts who are taking up assignments in the country for the first time will also be met on arrival if the office is advised of their arrival at least two weeks in advance.

Should the vehicle and driver of the concerned agency not be at the Airport to meet experts taking up assignment and/or arrival for the first time in the country , the traveler should take a taxi to the Riverview area, Lower Virginia, where UN agencies are situated near the River View Compound. Alternatively, the traveler may contact Weasua Air Transport office, located at the RIA and ask the staff who has a radio link with the UN Communications Center to call their agency by radio and transport will be arranged.

There are many privately owned taxis and minibuses which are available in the city streets. Taxis are available but must be shared with other passengers unless a private charter is arranged. Taxis do not have meters but the fixed fares are between LD5.00 within zone and LD 10 to LD15.00 to elsewhere, depending on the distances. Charter fares are based on number of hours required at the rate of LD250.00 per hour.

UN personnel taking up assignment in Liberia may import their own automobiles since local procurement is expensive and provides only limited choices. Most of the vehicles in use in Liberia are either Japanese, Korean, European or American made. The most popular makes are Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Hyundai, Land Rover, Mercedes, Volvo, and BMW. It is often more satisfactory to arrange for importation of a vehicle before undertaking travel to Liberia.

Traffic is on the right hand side of the road, and international traffic rules apply. United Nations personnel and in possession of a valid international or national driving license can obtain a Liberian license free of charge without having to take the driving test. Four passport size color photos are required for this purpose.

CURRENCY     Top of Page

The United States dollar has been legal tender in Liberia since the early 1940's. 
However, to facilitate local trade, the Government over the years introduced a limited number of Liberian coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and $1.00) on to the market. the Government in 1987 introduced a Liberian $5.00 coin (it was later changed to a note) which has gradually become the predominant medium of exchange. 

The new Central Bank management has introduced the new currency notes of varying denominations to replace the two new currencies.