Liberia, July 24 -- Less than three years after it was dedicated with much fanfare, the US$7 million PHP Recreation Park in Monrovia has fallen into a state of disrepair, raising public safety concerns ahead of Liberia's 179th Independence Day celebrations, when thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the facility.

The recreational complex, officially dedicated by former President George Manneh Weah on December 23, 2023, was constructed with funding from the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The park features a gymnasium, two football fields, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a women's kickball field, a cafe, a children's playground, and an administrative building.

However, a FrontPage Africa inspection f...