The Liberia National Cultural Union (LNCU) through its President has threatened to stage a protest if the Government of Liberia (GoL) through Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) continue to pay less attention to the group.

Speaking at a one-day Independence Day peace and reconciliation cultural jamboree on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the Providence Island in Monrovia, Mr. Kekura Kamara said the Union has for over five decades contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country, but has been forgotten by the current government.

The one-day Independence Day peace and reconciliation cultural jamboree was attended by top officials of MICAT including Minister Lewis G. Brown.

According to Mr. Kamara, the various groups of the Union were used also used to help in the disarmament process as well as spreading messages of peace, but all seem to have gone in vain, because they are totally forgotten by the government.

During the regimes of past Presidents including Samuel Kanyan Doe, William Richard Tolbert and William V.S. Tubman, Mr. Kamara recalled that the Union was used for promoting key policies such as: "from mat to mattress and go back to the soil among other."

However, Mr. Kamara averred that the Union has been totally forgotten since the President Johnson-Sirleaf's government came into power. He also averred that the government has rather given preference to a private cultural group, rather than the Union and the national culture troop.

He pointed out this is so because the owner of the private culture group is closed to some powers that be. But he fell short to state the name of the private culture, which has been used by the government rather than the national culture troop.

"We have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country for over five decades, but it seems that this government has ignored all of the efforts of the Union. We also contributed to the peace process of Liberia, but no one knows us anymore," said the LNCU head.

"We, too, can hold placards, but this is not the way we cultural people solve our problems. We believe in dialogue. But I must assure Mr. Minister, if this government refuses to listen to these things, we will also hold placards as the others can do to get result," Mr. Kamara added.

In response, Minister Brown admitted to claims by the Culture Union, but attributed the neglect to inadequate resources and the lack of unity amongst members of the union. He said the government is ready to work with the Union, but it needs hold together as a union.

"This is a government that took over after a 14-year crisis. It is very difficult to get all our problems back on track immediately taking into consideration huge financial constraints that the government faces. So, we can't fix all together, all we can do is to dig hole and cover hole. So, I am sorry, if things have not been on rightly with the Culture Union," he stated.

"Again, I want to urge you to make this Union a real union and we will do our part as government. You need stop shifting blames on each other and begin to hold together as a Union," Min. Brown continued. He then offered an office space to the Union at MICAT.