KAKATA, Margibi County — Barely hours after FrontPage Africa published an investigative report exposing years of neglect and decay at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), the institution’s administration has begun clearing overgrown grass that had engulfed large portions of the campus.
By Yawah Y. Jaivey
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Early Thursday morning, workers armed with grass-cutting machines were seen clearing sections of the once-prestigious campus, whose historic structures—many now abandoned—bear visible signs of long-term deterioration, including crumbling walls, broken windows, and unchecked vegetation.
Founded in 1929 as the Booker Washington Agricultural and Industrial Institute, BWI was Liberia’s first agricultural and vocational school, established with assistance from American partners and named after renowned U.S. educator Booker T. Washington. For decades, it served as a cornerstone of technical and vocational education, producing generations of skilled Liberians.
Today, however, the institution stands as a stark reminder of lost priorities, its infrastructure largely forgotten after years of neglect by successive administrations.
Widespread Decay Across Campus
A FrontPageAfrica reporter who toured the campus over the weekend observed extensive deterioration across several prominent structures, including the principal’s residence—commonly known as the “Kudar Jerrie House”—and former residences for deans responsible for supervising female boarding students.
The buildings show deep structural cracks, shattered windows, and a heavy silence broken only by encroaching grass and moss climbing the walls. Peeling paint and littered courtyards further underscore the neglect.
The investigation also revealed that both boys’ and girls’ dormitories are in visibly poor condition. The campus water tower has not been painted in decades, while the school kitchen appears to have been nonfunctional for many years.
A dormitory destroyed by fire more than two decades ago remains unrepaired, and Graham Hall, one of the institution’s historic buildings, appears frozen in time, untouched by meaningful renovation.
An annexed dormitory under the Agricultural and Skills Training Program (ASTP)—whose foundation was laid more than 30 years ago—remains incomplete.
Additionally, the business manager’s residence lies in ruins, while the so-called “New York” and “Germany” residences, once intended for instructors, are now in deplorable condition.
Alumni Raise Alarm
The deteriorating state of BWI has drawn concern from alumni, including Mr. J. Ebenezer Kolliegbo, who described the situation as alarming following a recent visit to the campus.
“Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit the campus of Booker Washington Institute, and I was deeply saddened by the level of decay across the campus,” Kolliegbo said.
While stopping short of blaming the current administration, he stressed that the condition reflects years of neglect by successive leaderships.
“The state of the institution is alarming and should concern every alumnus, policymaker, and Liberian who values education and national development,” he added.
Kolliegbo urged lawmakers to prioritize rehabilitation over proposals to elevate BWI to a four-year university.
“Rather than rushing to draft legislation, the focus should be on restoring BWI to its pre-war standards—reviving its infrastructure, academic environment, and institutional dignity,” he said.
He also called for urgent mobilization of alumni to pursue practical, results-driven infrastructure projects, rather than symbolic initiatives that fail to address the school’s most pressing needs.
Administration Silent
Efforts by FrontPageAfrica to obtain a response from Dr. Nancy T. Freeman, Principal of the Booker Washington Institute, were unsuccessful.
When contacted by phone, a woman identifying herself as Hannah Dennis, Dr. Freeman’s special assistant, requested that questions be submitted via SMS or WhatsApp. Despite multiple follow-ups, no response had been received as of publication.
