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ADNews- Margibi County, Liberia: The Bishop of the Independent Catholic Church of Liberia (ICCL), Bishop Nimely J. Donyen, has called on members of the All Retired Citizens Association of Liberia (ARCAL) to build a strong and enduring foundation that will enable the organization to operate effectively and impact the lives of Liberia’s retirees for generations to come.
Serving as keynote speaker at ARCAL’s first national convention held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Cotton Tree, Bishop Donyen urged the association’s leadership and founding members to work tirelessly for the progress and prosperity of retirees across the country and donated 100, 000 Liberian dollars towards its progress .
“When ARCAL begins to do well in Liberia 25 years from now, people will praise you for laying a very good foundation,” Bishop Donyen emphasized. “But if the foundation is weak, no matter how determined future generations are, the association will struggle to survive. As it is written in Psalm 11:3, ‘If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?’”
He encouraged the leadership to take the formative years of ARCAL seriously, describing them as critical in shaping the destiny of the association.
Retirees Face Tough Realities
Highlighting the plight of many retired Liberians, Bishop Donyen recalled the difficult circumstances faced by prominent former public servants who struggled after retirement.
“I remember meeting General Kpengbai Y. Konah, a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, in Jacob Town, Paynesville. He was in such poor condition that I felt deep sorrow,” Bishop Donyen recounted. “When he passed away, the government gave him a befitting burial, but I am unsure if he ever received any honor during his retirement.”
He also mentioned former Assistant Minister of Education, Mr. Tarlowah, as another retiree who faced hardship before his passing.
Bishop Donyen called on ARCAL’s leadership to urgently address issues of retirees’ welfare and to establish mechanisms to improve their living conditions.
Condemns Inequality and Corruption
The ICCL Bishop did not hold back in criticizing systemic corruption and economic inequality in Liberia, which he said has undermined national progress since the country’s founding.
“At Liberia’s inception, the ‘Cake of Liberia’ was shared among a privileged few. Today, this mentality persists,” he lamented. “Some government officials receive over US$10,000 monthly salaries, luxury vehicles, and generous allowances, while others survive on less than US$100 a month.”
He contrasted this with other African nations like Libya, where citizens reportedly receive monthly stipends from the government as a right, not a privilege.
Bishop Donyen described Liberia’s pension system as woefully inadequate, criticizing the monthly pension of L$2,000 for former state functionaries.
“This is not a pension; it is a death sentence euphemistically signed by the Government of Liberia,” he said. “A 60-pound bag of rice costs L$3,500. How can a retired public servant survive on L$2,000?”
He joined ARCAL in appealing to the government to significantly increase pensions, stressing that retirees deserve dignity and care after years of honorable service.
A Call for Equity
Bishop Donyen concluded by urging ARCAL to remain committed to advocating for retirees, warning that failure to act in the collective interest of retired citizens would render the organization irrelevant.
“If ARCAL does not stand in the interest of all retirees, it risks becoming like Liberia – a country that does not share with those outside high places in government,” he cautioned.
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