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52-999: Barnes was born in Monrovia, Liberia, to Roland T. and Eudora N. Barnes. He was the second of four children. Barnes spent his formative years in Harper and Monrovia. He graduated from high school at the College of West Africa before spending a term at the University of Liberia . He worked as an intern in Liberia's banking system before eventually going to the United States for college. Barnes attended Rider University (then Rider College) in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, in 1975 where in majored in Finance and graduated in 1978 with

104-544: A B.Sc. degree. In 1979, Barnes graduated with an MBA in Finance and Banking from Pace University in New York City. In September 1999, Barnes was appointed to the position of Minister of Finance , Republic of Liberia. In that capacity, he became the chief architect of Liberia's fiscal program and oversaw and implemented a new national tax code in consultation with the Fiscal Affairs Department of

156-657: A Liberian television comedy series entitled WE ON IT! (2001–2003). The couple have six children. In 2010, Barnes founded consulting firm Aurora Solutions, Inc. Since 2010, he has also served regularly as a lecturer at the Graduate Schools of the University of Liberia and African Methodist Episcopal University. He enjoys abstract painting. In 2020, his artistic creations were published in Left Brain Right Brain: Thoughts and Musings of

208-696: A Methodist missionary from Edenton Street United Methodist Church , was licensed to preach by the Kennebec District Conference of Maine , United States, and received his first pastoral appointment in 1822. Ill health forced Cox to return to Maine in 1825. Cox moved south in November 1826 to avoid the Maine winter and hopefully recover his health. He preached on and off until 1828, when he married and settled in Baltimore, Maryland . During

260-691: A Servant (ISBN 978-0993571039). College of West Africa The College of West Africa is a Methodist high school in Monrovia , Liberia . The school was opened in 1839 as the Monrovia Seminary , making it one of the oldest European-style schools in Africa . It has produced many of Liberia's leaders. Alumni include Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , the first woman elected as president in an African state, and current Liberian President Joseph Boakai . In March 1821 Melville B. Cox,

312-430: A day. It reaches an estimated 2 ⁄ 3 of the population. The state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System broadcasts nationwide from its headquarters in Monrovia. STAR radio broadcasts at 104 FM. Monrovia is home to the University of Liberia , along with African Methodist Episcopal University , United Methodist University , Stella Maris Polytechnic , and many other public and private schools. Medical education

364-580: A high school education; that dormitory facilities be established for male and female students. For the next ten years Rev. Camphor worked to implement this new plan. His first project was construction of the school building that was named the Cox Memorial Auditorium (for Melville B. Cox, in recognition of his mission work). In 1904, by an act of the Liberian Legislature , the college was officially recognized and confirmed as

416-514: A high school. He continued the building project started by Rev. Camphor. As a result of his efforts, ground-breaking ceremonies were held on May 25, 1927. Construction was completed and the building ready for dedication on March 7, 1933. The name “College of West Africa” was retained because of its charter to serve as a degree-granting institution. It later added a curriculum and classes to grant associate degrees in Business and Finance. The school

468-661: A map of the area. In 1816, with the aim of establishing a self-sufficient colony for emancipated American slaves, something that had already been accomplished in Freetown , the first group of African American settlers arrived in West Africa from the United States under the auspices of the American Colonization Society and with the support of the U.S. government. They landed on Sherbro Island , part of modern-day Sierra Leone . On January 7, 1822,

520-680: A mission house, a school, a seminary for young Christian converts, and churches. He purchased a house formerly the property of the Basel Missionary Society from Switzerland . He established the Methodist Church in Liberia as a branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the U.S. He held camp meetings, started regular worship and Sunday school, and developed mission strategies all within a few weeks of his arrival. He contracted malaria and died of

572-504: A ship took these settlers to Dazoe Island (now called Providence Island) at the mouth of the Mesurado River. They subsequently went ashore at Cape Mesurado , and established a settlement they called Christopolis . In 1824, the city was renamed Monrovia after James Monroe , president of the United States at the time. Monroe was a prominent supporter of developing the city as a place to relocate formerly enslaved Black people from

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624-498: A temple in Monrovia. [1] The city also has Muslim mosques. Pollution is a significant challenge in Monrovia. Piles of household and industrial rubbish tend to build up. The World Bank pays sanitation companies to collect it, but collections are irregular. In 2013, the problem of uncollected rubbish in the Paynesville area of Monrovia became so acute that traders and residents burnt "the huge garbage piles that seemed on

676-636: Is 100% owned and operated by the Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. 6°19′03″N 10°48′18″W  /  6.31743°N 10.80494°W  / 6.31743; -10.80494 Monrovia Monrovia ( / m ə n ˈ r oʊ v i ə / ) is the administrative capital and largest city of Liberia . Founded in 1822, it is located on Cape Mesurado on the Atlantic coast and as of

728-594: Is 37 miles (60 km) away in Harbel . Monrovia is connected with the rest of the country via a network of roads and railways. Monrovia is listed as the home port by between ten and fifteen percent of the world's merchant shipping, registered in Liberia under Flag of Convenience arrangements. Both private taxis and minibuses run in the city, and are supplemented by larger buses run by the Monrovia Transit Authority . In recent years (2005–present)

780-466: Is a compilation of news and Bible quotations written daily on a roadside blackboard in the Sinkor section of Monrovia. Monrovia also has radio and TV stations. Radio is the dominant source of news, because problems with the electric grid make watching television more difficult. UNMIL Radio has been broadcasting since October 1, 2003, and is the only radio station in Liberia that is on the air 24 hours

832-551: Is also home to the city's secondary airport, Spriggs Payne , and the area immediately next to the airport, called Airfield, is a major nightlife district for the whole city. East of the Airfield is the Old Road section of Sinkor, which is predominantly residential, and includes informal settlements such as Chugbor and Gaye Town . At the southeastern base of the peninsula is the independent township of Congo Town, and to its east

884-453: Is classified as a tropical monsoon climate ( Am ). It is the wettest capital city in the world, with annual rainfall averaging 182 in (4,600 mm). It has a wet season and a dry season but gets precipitation even during the dry season. Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, averaging around 79.5 °F (26.4 °C). The only slight differences are the high temperatures, as they are around 81 °F (27 °C) in

936-555: Is dominated by its harbor - the Freeport of Monrovia - and as the location of Liberia's 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, brick and tile , furniture, and chemicals . Located on Bushrod Island between

988-479: Is largely based on its position as chief Atlantic port of Liberia, with the Freeport of Monrovia based in the city being the largest and main port in the country. The land in which the city resides was traditionally the land of the Vai People , a West African ethnic group. It was founded on April 5, 1822, by members of the American Colonization Society (ACS) as an organization to return former slaves born in

1040-754: Is located in Congo Town . The places of worship in Monrovia are predominantly Christian churches and temples. These include the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia ( Catholic Church ), the United Methodist Church in Liberia ( World Methodist Council ), the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational convention ( Baptist World Alliance ) and the Assemblies of God . In October 2021, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints announced plans to construct

1092-637: Is married to Dawn Cooper Barnes, a daughter of Henry Nehemiah Cooper, M.D. (1927–1984) and Izetta Cooper, co-founders of the former Cooper Clinic in Monrovia. The two grew up in the same Monrovia community where Barnes' mother was a teacher at Dawn's elementary school and Dawn's father was the Barnes' family doctor. Dawn Barnes has written, directed and produced the films: Cry of the Pepperbird: A Story of Liberia (2000), The Spiritual Nature of African Dance (2001) and Children of Gold (2002). She also produced

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1144-674: Is named in memory of Melville B. Cox. A historic stained glass window in the college's auditorium reads: "Though a thousand fall, let not Africa be given up". The Cox family was active in the Methodist Society from its beginning. In 1816 the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church institutionalized the course of study for candidates to the ministry. A conference seminary was needed in Liberia to meet this mandate. The Monrovia Seminary

1196-726: Is offered at the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, and there is a nursing and paramedical school at the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts. Kindergarten through twelfth grade education is provided by the Monrovia Consolidated School System , which serves the greater Monrovia area. Schools include Monrovia Central High School, Bostwain High School, D. Twe High School, G. W. Gibson High School and William V. S. Tubman High School. The American International School of Monrovia

1248-429: Is the large suburb of Paynesville . Other suburbs, such as Chocolate City , Gardnersville , Barnesville , Kaba Town , Dandawailo , and New Georgia lie to the north, across the river. On Bushrod Island , north of Monrovia, are the neighborhoods of Clara Town , Logan Town and New Kru Town . To the far east are the suburbs of Stockton Creek Bridge , Caldwell , Louisiana , and Cassava Hill . Monrovia's economy

1300-784: The Free Democratic Party , a constituent party of the National Democratic Coalition , by October 2015. In January 2022, Barnes announced his intention to contest the upcoming 2023 Liberian presidential election as an independent candidate on a platform of "Reconciliation, Positive Change, Self-Reliance, and the Emergence of a New Breed of Liberian Leaders who exhibit the key qualities of Character, Competence and Courage." In May 2009, Dr. Mordechai Rozanski , president of Rider University, conferred on Barnes an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. Barnes

1352-675: The International Monetary Fund . He held this position until mid-2002. In January 2004, Barnes founded a new political party, the Liberia Destiny Party (LDP). Running as the LDP presidential candidate in the 2005 Liberian presidential general election , Barnes placed 12th out of 22 candidates, receiving 1.0% of the vote. He eventually supported Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , who would become the first democratically elected female president of an African nation, during

1404-904: The Liberian National Museum , the Masonic Temple , the Waterside Market, and several beaches. The city also houses Antoinette Tubman Stadium and the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex , with seats for 22,000. The newspaper industry in Monrovia dates back to the 1820s, with the founding of the Liberia Herald , one of the first newspapers to be published in Africa. Today, numerous tabloid -style newspapers are printed daily or bi-weekly, most are 20 pages or less. The Daily Talk

1456-626: The Mesurado River , whose mouth forms a large natural harbor. The Saint Paul River lies directly north of the city and forms the northern boundary of Bushrod Island , which is reached by crossing the "New Bridge" from downtown Monrovia. Monrovia is located in Montserrado County and is Liberia's largest city as its administrative, commercial and financial center. According to the Köppen climate classification , Monrovia's climate

1508-714: The United States of America and Caribbean islands , an idea put forth as an alternative to abolishing the institution of slavery in America . In 1845 there was a constitutional convention in Monrovia, at this convention a document was drafted that would be adopted two years later as the constitution of the newly independent and sovereign Republic of Liberia . At the beginning of the 20th century 2,500 of Monrovia’s 4,000 residents were Americo-Liberian . At that time Monrovia consisted of two sectors: Monrovia proper and Krutown. The city's Americo-Liberian population resided in

1560-445: The 2022 census had 1,761,032 residents, home to 33.5% of Liberia’s total population. Its largely urbanized metro area, including Montserrado and Margibi counties , was home to 2,225,911 inhabitants as of the 2022 census. As the nation's primate city , Monrovia is the country's economic, financial and cultural center; its economy is primarily centered on its harbor and its role as the seat of Liberian government. The city's economy

1612-511: The College of West Africa. By 1925, as a result of personnel and financial difficulties, and political interference, the college was forced to close its collegiate department. It continued to function as a secondary school with the appointment of the Rev. R. L. Embree as its new president. Rev. Embree reorganized the curriculum and programs of the school to continue the college preparatory courses, as

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1664-765: The Montserrado County Superintendent. Municipally, Greater Monrovia District is subdivided into two city corporations and ten other local authorities (nine townships and one borough). Established by law in 1973 and operational since 1976, the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) is responsible for the city's administration. The MCC also provides services to the townships and borough through a revenue-sharing arrangement, but has no zoning or enforcement jurisdiction in them. City corporations Townships Borough Former mayors include: Cultural attractions in Monrovia include

1716-471: The South American field. Instead, Hedding asked if he would go to Liberia, a colony established on Africa's west coast by the American Colonization Society for resettlement of free American blacks and newly freed American slaves. Cox sailed from Norfolk, Virginia on November 6, 1832, arriving in Monrovia on March 8, 1833. He was the first Methodist missionary to Liberia. He envisioned establishing

1768-487: The United States of America. He served in this capacity until 2010. In December 2010, Barnes expressed interest in contesting the presidency again in the 2011 election . In July 2011, he explained the LDP would not be contesting the presidency. By May 2014, the National Elections Commission filed a petition to decertify the LDP. Instead of challenging his party's decertification, Barnes joined

1820-464: The United States to Africa. Monrovia is named in honor of U.S. President James Monroe , a prominent supporter of the colonization of Liberia and the ACS. Along with Washington, D.C. , it is one of two world capitals to be named after a U.S. President. The original name of Monrovia was Christopolis before being changed to its current name in 1824, only two years after the city's founding. Before 1816,

1872-523: The area around Cape Mesurado and the mouth of the Mesurado River was called Ducor. It had long been established as a crossroads and a place of trade inhabited by fishing, trading and farming communities of various ethnicities, including the Dey , Kru , Bassa, Gola, and Vai. The French cartographer and enslaver Chevalier des Marchais visited Ducor and the Cape in 1723, conducted business there and later published

1924-457: The city in 1992. During these wars young children and youth, deprived of resources and schooling, were forced to involve themselves in the fighting. Afterwards, many of them were left homeless. In 2002 Leymah Gbowee organized the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace , a group consisting of local Monrovian women, who gathered in a fish market to pray and sing. This movement helped to end the war

1976-470: The city's large natural harbor. Northwest of Waterside is the large, low-income West Point community. To the west and southwest of the downtown area is Mamba Point, traditionally the city's principal diplomatic quarter and home to the embassies of the United States and United Kingdom, as well as the European Union delegation. South of the city center is Capitol Hill, where the major institutions of

2028-579: The coup, were buried in a mass grave in Palm Grove Cemetery. The First Liberian Civil War (1989 to 1997) and Second Liberian Civil War (1999 to 2003) severely damaged the infrastructure of the city. Much of the damage occurred during the siege of Monrovia . Major battles included clashes between Samuel Doe's government forces and Prince Johnson 's forces in 1990 and the National Patriotic Front of Liberia 's assault on

2080-479: The disease on July 21, 1833, after three months of decline. Such tropical diseases had a high mortality rate among new American settlers to the colony. Cox's story inspired many in the early missions movement. Before he sailed for Liberia, Cox told a friend that should he die in Africa, the friend should write his epitaph. What, asked the friend, should the epitaph say? Cox replied, "Let a thousand die before Africa be given up." The College of West Africa's main building

2132-539: The following year and to bring about the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president of Liberia, which made it the first African nation to have a female president . In 2014 the city was affected by the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak . The Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia was declared to be over on 3 September 2015. Monrovia lies along the Cape Mesurado peninsula, between the Atlantic Ocean and

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2184-443: The former sector. Because of American settlers' influence the architectural style of its buildings was reminiscent of that of the southern United States . Krutown was inhabited mainly by ethnic Krus , but also by Bassas , Grebos and members of other ethnic groups. By 1926 ethnic groups from Liberia's interior began to migrate outwards toward Monrovia in search of jobs. By 1937 Monrovia’s population had grown to 10,000. At this time

2236-473: The mouths of the Mesurado and Saint Paul rivers, the harbor also has facilities for storing and repairing vessels. Boats link the city's Freeport of Monrovia, the country's busiest port, with Greenville and Harper . The nearest airport is Spriggs Payne Airport , located less than four miles (6.4 km) from the city center. Roberts International Airport , the largest international airport in Liberia,

2288-576: The national government, including the Temple of Justice and the Executive Mansion, are located. Further east along the peninsula is the Sinkor section of Monrovia. Originally a suburban residential district, today Sinkor is the bustling midtown section of the city. It includes many diplomatic missions, major hotels, businesses, and residential neighborhoods, including informal communities such as Plumkor, Jorkpentown, Lakpazee and Fiamah. Sinkor

2340-515: The next two years he was editor of The Itinerant in Baltimore. After his wife died in December 1830, Cox returned to the ministry, although his health was still fragile. By mid-1831 Cox had become interested in missions. The Methodist Episcopal Church had formed a Missionary Society in 1819, but no suitable foreign missionary had yet been found. Cox offered himself to Bishop Elijah Hedding for

2392-498: The re-organization of the seminary to include a high school. In 1897 Camphor presented his plans to the Liberian Annual Conference, where he gained a majority vote for the adaptation of the Monrovia Seminary to the College of West Africa. Its charter included: that it be the one central and leading school of all Methodist educational institutions; providing degree-granting courses in ministerial training while also providing

2444-754: The roads on many streets in Monrovia have been rebuilt by the World Bank and the Liberian Government. Private and public infrastructures are being built or renovated as reconstruction takes place. Monrovia is situated in the district of Greater Monrovia in Montserrado County . Instead of being divided into clans like other districts of Liberia, Greater Monrovia is divided into 16 "zones". Like clans, these zones are subdivided into 161 communities . Greater Monrovia does not have an organized district administration like other districts, with all lower-level local authorities being directly supervised by

2496-661: The subsequent runoff election. From May 2006 to 2008, Barnes was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations from the Republic of Liberia. Barnes served as Ambassador from the Republic of Liberia to the Republic of Cuba from 2006 -2008 while also serving as Ambassador to the United Nations. He was instrumental in re-establishing and solidifying diplomatic relations with Cuba. In 2008, President Johnson Sirleaf named Ambassador Milton Nathaniel Barnes as Liberia's new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to

2548-571: The town had 30 police officers. In 1979 the Organisation of African Unity , chaired by the then president of Liberia, William Tolbert , held its conference near Monrovia. During his term, Tolbert improved public housing in Monrovia and slashed tuition fees at the University of Liberia in half. In 1980 a military coup led by Samuel Doe overthrew the Tolbert government and executed many of its members. Tolbert, and others who were killed in

2600-440: The verge of cutting off the main road" out of Monrovia to Kakata . Flooding brings additional environmental problems to residents: flood water picks up the waste that has been deposited in swamps at the edge of residential areas, and spreads it around. In 2009, only one-third of Monrovia's 1.5 million people had access to clean toilets. Those without their own toilets defecate in the narrow alleyways between their houses, or on

2652-473: The winter and near 90 °F (32 °C) in the summer, with lows being around 22–24 year-round. Monrovia comprises several districts spread across the Mesurado peninsula; the greater metropolitan area encircles the mouth of the marshy Mesurado River. The historic downtown area, centered on Broad Street, is at the very end of the peninsula; the major market district, Waterside, immediately to its north, faces

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2704-550: Was established for this purpose in 1839. (Its program was expanded to preparatory classes and it was later renamed as the College of West Africa in later years). The Rev. Jabez A. Burton was commissioned as the Seminary's first principal immediately after its establishment; he served until his death in August 1842. The Rev. Alexander P. Camphor was appointed principal in 1896. At the end of his first year of administration, he began

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