PHOTO: Family members of executed former officials at burial site
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
Former Liberian Foreign Minister, Olubanke King Akerele has strongly criticized the CDC-led government for the construction of its Unity Park at the site in which the 13 former officials of the True Wing Party were executed just behind the Barclay Training Center.
On April 22, 1980, 13 officials of the TWP-led government were publicly executed after being found guilty by the special military tribunal set up by the People’s Redemption Council at the beach just the behind the BTC.
Speaking at the program recently marking the remembrance of the officials of the TWP government at the mass grave on Center Street in Monrovia, Madam King-Akerele said Liberia is in trouble as long as governments from past to present do not pay homage to the fallen statesmen.
The former Foreign Minister said it pains her to see that such a sacred place is about to be used for sporting purpose instead of a monument that serve as a remembrance that such a devilish act will never be repeated.
FLASHBACK April 22, 1980 executions of former TWP govt officials at the back of the BTC
She expressed disappointment that no official program was organized by the government for the fallen statesmen who sacrificed their lives for this country.
“Liberia is in deep trouble,” Madam King-Akerele went on, “ we are in deep and terrible trouble as a nation because the present generation of leaders do not take such a day when the lives of eminent statesmen were taken away seriously.”
“What is wrong with us as leaders?” she asked; “an extraordinary day like this absolutely nothing to do as a sign of respect from the national leaders? I do not know what is wrong with our people”
“No wonder that we are not improving as a nation and we will never move forward as a nation unless we recognize our mistakes and pay homage to our fallen heroes.These are not people that we can take for granted because they are patriots of the highest order.”
“What did we killed them for? Look at the nation today, this is a complete disgrace and shame for people who have played important roles on African Continent and because of our don’t care altitude.”
“What is wrong with us as a people and I am deeply sorry that we can behave to our fallen leaders in such a manner,” she asserted.
For his part, the spokesman of the families of the officials of TWP killed during the 1980 coup, Dr. Richard Tolbert, said their hearts are filled with sorrow but they have nonetheless converged to honor their loved ones who sacrificed their lives and blood for the country.
“We have gathered in this bitter month , with joy in our hearts but tears in our eyes. We have come once again to celebrate and commemorate the heroes buried here,”
“We come with sorrow because of the brutal manner of their deaths; but we know they are at peace celebrating with us at this moment. We have come to honor our fathers, as the Bible put it, in order for our days to be long on the land given by our fore fathers.”
Dr. Tolbert said they will continue to remember them because of their many contributions to the country, the African continent and world peace.
The program was organized by the April 22 Group, an organization comprising of relatives and children of officials of the TWP government killed during the 1980 bloody military bloody coup led the People’s Redemption Council.
Who are buried in the mass graves?
The mass grave contains the remains of former President William R Tolbert, Frank Tolbert, former President Pro Tempore of the Liberia, Richard Henries, former Speaker of the House of Representatives ; Joseph Chesson, Justice Minister; Cecil Dennis , Minister of Foreign Affairs
Others were , E Reginald Townsend, National Chairman of the True Whig Party; P. Clarence Parker II ,Chairman of the National Investment Council and Treasurer of the True Whig Party; James A. A. Pierre , Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.’
Others were Cyril Bright , former Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs; John W. Sherman , Assistant Minister of Commerce and Trade; James T. Phillips , former Minister of Finance, former Minister of Agriculture
Others are David Franklin Neal , former Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs; Charles T. O. King , Deputy Minister for Agriculture; and Frank J. Stewart Sr., Director of the Budget