Monrovia, Liberia (1977)
The relationship between Monrovia and Dayton began in 1968. The relationship became a more formal Sister City linkage in 1977. Since then, Dayton has been working with Monrovia to address the problem of solid waste disposal. Earlier phases of the project included an in-depth analysis of the Monrovia City Corporation’s capacity to manage the collection of its refuse, the development of a long term plan for solid waste disposal, training for city engineers from Monrovia in the Dayton’s Department of Public Works, and an analysis of Monrovia’s equipment needs and equipment maintenance capabilities.
Following the April 1980 coup, the Dayton-Monrovia Sister City relationship remained dormant for several years. In 1984, the Dayton Committee reactivated itself and actively began to explore ways to assist the people of Monrovia. Since that time, the relationship has grown steadily in both strength and tempo. It has grown in strength in relationship to the kinds of programs we are promoting and grown in tempo by virtue of the methodology employed related to program implementation. Several significant projects and events have taken place since 1984.
Dayton and Monrovia have been sister cities for more than two decades. Our commitment has remained strong throughout the years, in spite of some challenging periods of political unrest and economic hardship for Monrovia. Now that the civil war in Liberia has ended and things are becoming more stable, we are excited about our most recent efforts to partner and the potential for future collaboration.
In the last five years we have been working to reinvigorate some of the collaborations of the past, as well as look for new opportunities for the future. Jusu Hena, the Chair of the Monrovia Committee in Dayton, has visited Monrovia several times in the last five years to assess the situation first hand, and to continue to build relationships.
In 2005, the City of Dayton, together with the Dayton Area Liberian Associations, collaborated in collecting educational materials, medical supplies, used classroom furniture and clothing. The Dayton committee helped to fund the shipping of these materials which were distributed on the ground by Jusu Hena, Chair of the Dayton Sister City Monrovia Committee and Ophelia Saytumah, the Monrovia Mayor at the time. In 2007, Mayor Ophelia Saytumah visited Dayton and met with City of Dayton officials and staff, and University partners to explore opportunities for collaboration. This visit helped identify the most critical needs and fruitful areas for partnership.
Shortly after the visit, representatives from Dayton Sister Cities met with Universities partners to explore grant opportunities to assist with the project areas identified during the Mayor’s visit. Unfortunately, the global economic situation has resulted in fewer funding dollars to support projects.
Most recently, in May of 2009, the Junior Council on World Affairs and Dayton Sister Cities partnered to offer a “Forum on Liberia” to 100 area high school students. Students gathered for a half-day seminar on Liberia which included guest scholars from Monrovia and discussions on critical issues facing the country. Jusu Hena also traveled to Monrovia in May to continue dialogue with the city and assess the situation on the ground.
Monrovia* is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia. Located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, it lies within Montserrado County, the most populous county in Liberia. The metropolitan area, with a population of 1,010,970 in the Greater Monrovia District as of the 2008 census, contains 29% of the total population of Liberia and is the country’s most populous city.[2] Monrovia is the cultural, political and financial hub for the entire country.
Founded in 1822, Monrovia is named in honor of U.S. President James Monroe, a prominent supporter of the colonization of Liberia. Along with Washington, D.C., it is the only other national capital to be named after a U.S. President. Monrovia was founded thirty years after Freetown, Sierra Leone, the first permanent Black American settlement in Africa. The city’s economy is dominated by its harbor, and government offices. Monrovia’s harbor was significantly expanded by U.S. forces during the Second World War and the main exports include latex and iron ore. Materials are also manufactured on-site, such as cement, refined petroleum, food products, bricks and tiles, furniture and chemicals. Located near the confluence of the Mesurado and Saint Paul rivers, the harbor also has facilities for storing and repairing vessels.
Population:*
1,010,970
Country:*
Liberia
City Website:*
Government:*
The city is home to the Monrovia City Corporation, which runs many services inside the city.
Mayor of Monrovia*
Mary Broh
Geographical facts:*
Holon’s area: 18,929 sq km.
Monrovia lies on a peninsula, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mesurado River and is a major port. The Saint Paul River lies directly north of the city and forms the northern boundary of Bushrod Island, which is reached by crossing the “Old Bridge” from downtown Monrovia. Monrovia is located 6º 19′N 10º48′W Monrovia is Liberia’s largest city and its administrative, commercial and financial centre.
The city is located in Montserrado County however the small town of Bensonville is actually the capital of Montserrado County.
Time zone:*
GMT (UTC+O)
Climate:**
Under the Köppen climate classification, Monrovia features a tropical monsoon climate. During the course of the year Monrovia sees a copious amount of precipitation. Monrovia averages 5,140 mm (202.3 in.) of rain per year. The climate features a wet season and a dry season, but precipitation is seen even during the dry season. Temperatures remain constant throughout the year averaging around 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit).
Historical Synopsis:*
The area was already inhabited when it was named Cape Mesurado by Portuguese sailors in the 1560s. With the aim of establishing a self-sufficient colony for emancipated American survivors of slavery, something that had already been accomplished in Freetown, the first settlers from the United States under the auspices of the American Colonization Society arrived in Africa in 1821. They landed at Sherbro Island in present-day Sierra Leone. The undertaking was a shambles and many settlers died. In 1822, a second ship rescued the settlers and took them to Cape Mesurado, establishing the settlement of Christopolis. In 1824, the city was renamed to Monrovia after James Monroe, then President of the United States, and a prominent supporter of the colony in sending freed Black slaves to Liberia, saw it as preferable than emancipation in America. It is the only non-American capital city named after a U.S. President.
In 1845, Monrovia was the site of the constitutional convention held by the American Colonization Society which drafted the constitution that would two years later be the constitution of an independent and sovereign Republic of Liberia.[3]
At the beginning of the 20th century, Monrovia was divided into two parts: (1) Monrovia proper, where the city’s Americo-Liberian population resided and was reminiscent of the Southern United States in architecture; and (2) Krutown, which was mainly inhabited by ethnic Krus but also Bassas, Grebos and other tribes.[4] Of the 4,000 residents, 2,500 were Americo-Liberian. By 1926, ethnic groups from Liberia’s interior began migrating to Monrovia in search of jobs.[4]
In 1979, the Organisation of African Unity held their conference in the Monrovia area, with then president William R. Tolbert as chairman. During his term, Tolbert improved public housing in Monrovia and decreased by 50% the tuition fees at the University of Liberia. A military coup led by Samuel Doe ousted the Tolbert government in 1980, with many members being executed.
The city was severely damaged in the Liberian Civil War, notably during the siege of Monrovia, with many buildings damaged and nearly all the infrastructure destroyed. Major battles occurred between Samuel Doe’s government and Prince Johnson‘s forces in 1990 and with the NPFL‘s assault on the city in 1992. A legacy of the war is a large population of homeless children and youths, either having been involved in the fighting or denied an education by it.
* Wikipedia®