26/07/2026
When the Pastor Said, “Open Your Bible,” Many Boakai Gov't officials Had None.
At Liberia’s 179th Thanksgiving and Intercessory Prayer Service held at the First United Methodist Church in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, one thing stood out.
When the Master of Ceremony instructed the congregation to open their Bibles, many of the country’s top officials had none to open.
Among those observed without Bibles were
* Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon
* Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence
* Senator Darius Dillon
* Hon. Samuel A. Stevquoah Minister of State for Presidential Affairs
* Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs
* Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Minister of Justice
* Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Minister of Education
* Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, Minister of Health
* Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., Minister of Labour
* Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh, Minister of Commerce and Industry
* Roland Layfette Giddings, Minister of Public Works
* Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism
* Gbeme Horace-Kollie, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection
* Nathaniel T. Kwabo, Director of the Cabinet
* Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., Director-General, Civil Service Agency
* Galakpai W. Kortimai, Director-General, General Services Agency
* Alfreda Stewart Diggs, Chairperson, Board of the Liberia National Tourism Authority
* Rev. Luther Tarpeh, National Chairman, Unity Party
* Gregory O. W. Coleman, Inspector General, Liberia National Police
* Members of the Liberian Senate
* Members of the House of Representatives
The only people who were seen carrying Bibles were members of the United Methodist clergy on the podium.
Even when guest the preacher Rev. Paula White-Cain asked the congregation to turn to different Bible passages, many of the senior officials did not appear to have Bibles with them.
The Chairman of the Unity Party, who is also a pastor, was also observed without a Bible.
Another thing noticed was that many officials kept looking at their phones during the service. It was not clear whether they were reading the Bible on their phones or doing something else.
The absence of printed Bibles among many senior officials at the National Thanksgiving Service raised questions about how prepared they were to follow the Scripture readings. While some may have been using Bible apps on their phones, the observation left many wondering whether their attention was on the worship service or elsewhere.
The photos from the service show exactly what was observed.
Credit: to Kool FM