By Desmond Gbeleh Wion
Senior Reporter
Monrovia, March 21, 2025
Concerns have emerged over Liberia’s preparation for the upcoming Expo 2025 in Osaka Japan, as reports indicate that Julie Endee, Commissioner for Liberia’s delegation, has excluded Cultural Ambassador Kerkula Kamara from all planning activities leading to the global holistic event. The exclusion of Ambassador Kamara, a key figure in Liberia’s cultural representation, has raised questions about the coordination and effectiveness of the country’s cultural showcase at the global event. As Liberia gears towards participating in this historic event scheduled to take place in Osaka, Japan from April 13 to October 13, 2025 at Yumeshima, an artificial Island in Osaka Bay under the theme “Designing Future Society for our Lives” with three sub-themes: ” Saving Lives”, Empowering Lives”, and Connecting Lives”, it is compulsive to involve actively the office of the Cultural Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia during the entire planning of Liberia’s presentation since it involves squarely Cultural identity of all participating countries.
Today, addressing the National Media during a regular Thursday Press briefing of the Ministry of Information in Monrovia, Commissioner General of Liberia’s Expo 2025 Julie Endee narrowly escaped the question asked by Desmond Gbeleh Wion, senior Reporter of Democracy Watch j,,, about her coordination directly excluding the Liberia Cultural Ambassador stating,” Cultural Ambassador Falls under the department of Cultural Affairs in the Ministry of Information”.
The unarguable questions remained; “was it not right to directly involve Kerkula Kamara, who is the Cultural Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia, or was it not prudent to involve as well members of the Department of Cultural Affairs under the Ministry of Information throughout the planning of entirety.”
Critiques consider such deliberate decisions from a former Cultural Ambassador of a Country to willingly exclude her successor’s involvement from such an international cultural plan as a desirable decision that influenced a lack of governmental Cooperation, inter-personnel relationship, and unwilling partnership.
About the World Expo
The very first World Expo, known then as the “Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations,” was held in London, England, in 1851. And this year’s Expo in Japan features initiatives aimed at creating a future society represented by 150 countries and 25 international organisations, and Liberia is a participant that requires fostering official cooperation and coordination.
Impact on Liberia’s Cultural Representation
The World Expo is a prestigious platform where nations exhibit their culture, innovation, and economic potential. Liberia’s participation presents an opportunity to highlight its rich traditions, heritage, and artistic expressions. However, the absence of collaboration with the Cultural Ambassador—who holds an official mandate to promote Liberia’s cultural identity—risks weakening the country’s representation.
Democrats argue that excluding key cultural figures from the planning process could lead to a disjointed presentation that does not fully capture Liberia’s diverse heritage. It’s earnable that such an approach might undermine the authenticity and impact of the country’s exhibition, affecting how Liberia is perceived on the international stage.
Calls for Coordination and Inclusivity
Stakeholders in Liberia’s cultural sector should express interest in the lack of inclusivity in the Expo 2025 preparations.
Develop interest in promoting National Unity, governmental Cooperation, and inter-personnel relationships.
“The Cultural Ambassador plays a vital role in showcasing Liberia’s heritage. Excluding him from such a significant event not only diminishes our national presentation but also sets a concerning precedent for future cultural engagements,” Reporters analyze culturally.”
Additionally, experts emphasize that coordination between government-appointed officials and cultural representatives is crucial for a cohesive and impactful presentation. Without proper collaboration, Liberia risks missing out on opportunities to effectively promote its tourism, arts, and cultural industries.
The Need for a Unified Approach
With Expo 2025 fast approaching, there is still time to foster unity and cooperation in Liberia’s delegation. Many believe that a more inclusive and transparent planning process would ensure that the country’s cultural identity is accurately represented and celebrated.
As discussions around the event continue, all eyes will be on whether the organizers will take corrective measures to integrate Cultural Ambassador Kerkula Kamara into the preparations, reinforcing Liberia’s commitment to cultural diplomacy on the world stage.
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