By: Emmanuel Tobotinho Quiah
Monrovia-Dorbor Bedell, founder of the Dorbor Bedell Foundation, has called for increased investment in tourism, infrastructure, and education to revive Harper City’s struggling economy, arguing that the southeastern Liberian city has significant economic potential that remains largely untapped.
Speaking to residents of Harper City, Maryland County last Friday, October 23, 2026, Bedell pointed to Harper’s beaches, lake, historical significance, and natural attractions as potential drivers of economic growth if supported by adequate infrastructure, private-sector investment, and a coordinated tourism development strategy.
He said developing the city’s tourism industry could attract visitors, stimulate commercial activities, create employment opportunities for young people, and generate income for local businesses.
Bedell expressed concern about what he described as Harper’s decline despite its historical importance, questioning why the city has not fully capitalized on its natural and cultural assets to strengthen its economy.
His remarks have renewed attention to the need for long-term economic planning in Maryland County, where tourism, improved infrastructure, and educational development could contribute to greater economic opportunities for residents.
Harper, the capital of Maryland County, has historical significance and natural attractions that could form the foundation of a stronger tourism industry.
Its coastal location, beaches, lake, and surrounding communities offer opportunities for recreational tourism, cultural experiences, hospitality services, and other tourism-related businesses.
However, turning these attractions into commercially viable destinations would require more than natural beauty. Investors and tourism operators would need reliable road access, suitable accommodation, sanitation facilities, electricity, transportation services, and effective promotion of the city’s attractions.
A coordinated approach involving local authorities, the national government, traditional leaders, community organizations, and private investors could help identify priority projects and establish a practical framework for tourism development.
Such investments could create opportunities for hotel operators, restaurant owners, tour guides, transport operators, artisans, and small-scale traders.
Bedell’s call for infrastructure investment highlights a broader challenge facing efforts to expand economic activities in Harper.
Tourism development depends on the availability of basic public infrastructure and services. Poor road conditions, inadequate sanitation, unreliable electricity, and limited hospitality facilities can discourage visitors and increase operating costs for businesses.
For Harper to compete as a tourism destination, stakeholders would need to identify infrastructure gaps and establish clear priorities for addressing them.
These could include improving access to tourist attractions, rehabilitating public spaces, strengthening waste management, and encouraging the development of accommodation facilities and other visitor services.
Government institutions could support these efforts by establishing transparent investment procedures, improving the business environment, and working with private investors to identify commercially viable projects.
Bedell also called for greater openness to African visitors, highlighting the potential for regional travel and stronger connections among African countries to contribute to tourism growth.
Greater engagement with visitors from across the continent could create opportunities for cultural exchange, hospitality businesses, and local entrepreneurs.
To benefit from such opportunities, Harper would need effective tourism promotion, accessible travel information, visitor-friendly services, and cooperation with relevant tourism and immigration authorities.
Beyond tourism and infrastructure, Bedell highlighted education as another important priority for community development.
Through the Dorbor Bedell Foundation, he has supported community initiatives, including efforts to renovate the abandoned Demonstration Junior and Senior High School.
The initiative reflects the importance of educational facilities in expanding opportunities for young people and strengthening the community’s long-term development prospects.
Rehabilitating an abandoned school, however, requires more than repairing its physical structure. Sustainable operations would also depend on adequate teaching staff, learning materials, classroom furniture, sanitation facilities, and reliable funding.
A successful rehabilitation effort would therefore benefit from coordination with education authorities, community stakeholders, and potential development partners.
Improved educational facilities could help create a stronger foundation for young people to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to participate in local economic activities, including tourism, business, and public service.
About The Author
