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Rabbi Gbaba’s “Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary) Address to Liberians and the World: Preserving, Preaching, & Promoting the Culture of Liberia Globally; A 50-Year Journey”
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Salutations
Your Excellency, George Manneh Weah, outgoing President of Liberia, and Your Excellency
Joseph Nyumah Boikai, President-elect of Liberia, and Vice-President-elect, Jeremiah Kpan
Koung, the President-Pro Tempore and Members of the Liberian Senate, the Speaker and
Honorable Members of the House of Representatives, Your Honor Madam Chief Justice,
Associate Justices, and members of the Judiciary, members of the cabinet, diplomatic corps and
international community, fellow citizens, ladies and gentlemen.
Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D. To fully understand the success of our celebrity, one has to research the family he originates from,
Mrs. Margaret Tiplah-Mona Karpeh-Koffa, Dr. Gbaba’s first school teacher A Winding Road and Uphill Battle to Achieve Education and Success. After the completion of the first grade, Tomoonh-Garlodeyh enrolled at Daniel E. Howard
At Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI), our journey is rich with culture, creativity, and community impact.
At Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI), we understand that many communities face challenges and changes that affect their cultural expression and education. Through our programs and initiatives, we work to preserve, restore, and empower communities while celebrating their unique heritage.
Dearly beloved, Happy 26 once again. As you can see from my photo I am still celebrating Liberia’s Independence in my Lone Star outfit to let the President and all Liberians know we are prepared to complete the mandate the Lord has given me to unite Liberians and help Liberians reconcile with one another. My mandate as a Playwright and scholar/artist also includes educating and entertaining Liberians and to help Liberians realize we are one people and one nation , indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The word “INDEPENDENCE” must not be used loosely within the confines of the Republic of Liberia without knowing it’s true meaning and how to use the word syntactically.
Simply put, “independence” means freedom and the ability to do things on your own. In my definition there are two requirements to be considered ‘independent’: 1. You must be free and 2. You must do things for yourself.
Therefore, when we critically analyze our ‘independence’ you will agree with me that while we may have the so-called ‘freedom’ to govern ourselves, the hard truth is that we don’t do things for ourselves: we have huge rich tropical rainforests, humus soil but we do not produce our staple diet (rice).
We have huge gold, diamond, silver, bauxite reserves and huge rubber plantations in Liberia, but the people and companies who dig them out of our grounds are not Liberian citizens and the companies through which our minerals and natural resources are raked out of Liberia are all foreigners and foreign companies. So we lack freedom to manage our own resources.
On the contrary, an ‘independent’ Liberia will put Liberia first. An independent Liberia will establish its own national companies to manage its own resources with QUALIFIED Liberians (not unskilled partisans) at the helm of leadership.
Issued by: Victor D. QuiteeMedia & Communications Officer Dehkontee Artists Theatre Inc. (DATI) Liberia “Preserving Culture, Promoting Peace, Inspiring Generations.”
As Liberia proudly commemorates 179 years of independence, the Dehkontee Artists Theatre Inc. (DATI) Liberia joins millions of Liberians at home and across the diaspora in celebrating our nation’s rich history, resilience, and enduring hope for a brighter future. This Independence Day comes at a remarkable time in DATI’s journey. As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of dedicated service in 2027, we reflect with gratitude on nearly five decades of using theatre, culture, education, and peace-building as powerful tools to preserve Liberia’s identity and inspire generations of young people.
Our Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., has devoted more than fifty years to promoting Liberia’s cultural heritage, national unity, literature, and the performing arts. His lifelong commitment has earned national and international recognition, including the recent honor by His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., who conferred upon him Liberia’s Distinction in the Order of the Star of Africa with the Grade of Commander—a prestigious recognition of his extraordinary contributions to nation-building.
Although Dr. Gbaba was unable to attend the investiture ceremony in person due to his residence in the United States, DATI Liberia was honored to represent him through National Coordinator Statesman Meshach Sieh Elliot and Stateswoman Hawa Promise Guwor, DATI Dougbor Chapter Director, whose presence symbolized the organization’s unwavering commitment to advancing Dr. Gbaba’s vision.
Over the years, DATI has remained steadfast in promoting peace, cultural awareness, youth empowerment, leadership development, and national reconciliation. Through its peace festivals, educational initiatives, theatrical productions, cultural preservation programs, and community outreach, DATI continues to strengthen the bonds that unite Liberians regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
As our nation marks another Independence Day, DATI renews its commitment to working alongside government institutions, development partners, civil society, traditional leaders, and citizens in fostering a Liberia where peace, unity, creativity, and cultural pride flourish.On this historic occasion, we encourage every Liberian to embrace our diversity as our greatest strength, celebrate our shared heritage, and commit ourselves to building a nation where justice, opportunity, and peace are enjoyed by all.
Meanwhile, after 52 years of service all we are asking each of you to do is to kindly put aside your prejudice and wear your proud garment of patriotism as a Liberian or African or lover of the arts and purchase a DATI 50th Anniversary 2027 Souvenir Calendar.The calendar costs $50 and it is not just an ordinary calendar. It is a documentary of cultural performances and events produced by Rabbi Gbaba and Dehkontee Artists Theatre for the past 50 years, HALF A CENTURY!
DATI would like to complete the first phase of fundraiser and break grounds in February 2027 in Monrovia. Funds raised will go towards the purchase of land/site for the school of the performing and visual arts, to preserve and institutionalize Liberian culture. The DATI 50th Anniversary 2027 Souvenir Calendar will be ready for sale the first week of August and first come first served.
Please put in your order now by making payment through the payment methods listed on the flyer. If you live outside of PA, you may please provide your mailing address, phone number and name to whom your order should be posted when you make your payment. Our mailing address is:Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc.P. O. Box 143Clifton Heights, PA 19018Tel. (267) 973-1709 (Please text your name and information if you do not get an answer when you call. We will return your call).
Happy 179th Independence Anniversary, Liberia! May God continue to bless the Republic of Liberia, guide its leaders with wisdom, and grant lasting peace and prosperity to our beloved nation.
Issued by: Victor D. QuiteeMedia & Communications OfficerDehkontee Artists Theatre Inc. (DATI) Liberia”Preserving Culture, Promoting Peace, Inspiring Generations.”
Monrovia, Liberia – Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI) Liberia has announced that its National Coordinator Statesman Meshach Sieh Elliot, and Stateswoman Hawa Promise Guwor, DATI Dougbor Chapter Director, will officially represent the organization’s Founder and Executive Director, Rabbi Dr. Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., during the national investiture ceremony where His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. will confer upon him Liberia’s Distinction in the Order of the Star of Africa with the Grade of Commander.
The prestigious national honor, which forms part of activities commemorating Liberia’s 179th Independence Day, recognizes Dr. Gbaba’s outstanding contributions to the preservation of Liberia’s cultural heritage, theatre, education, literature, peace-building, and national development. Although Dr. Gbaba was formally invited by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he respectfully informed the Government that he would be unable to attend the ceremony due to his residence in the United States and the short notice of the invitation.
In his absence, DATI Liberia National Coordinator Meshach Sieh Elliot and Montserrado ( DATI Dougbor Chapter ) Director Hawa Promise Guwor will proudly stand in solidarity with the organization’s founder during the historic occasion, joining his brother-in-law, Mr. Rameses A. Porte, Jr., to receive the honor on his behalf, celebrating the national recognition.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Meshach Sieh Elliot expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to represent Dr. Gbaba. “I am very excited to represent a Rabbi, cultural expert, mentor, role model, and an educator at the President’s Honoring Program. A special thanks to His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for recognizing the tireless efforts of Dr. Gbaba in preserving and promoting our Liberian culture. It is my sincere wish that His Excellency President Boakai will appoint Dr. Gbaba to serve in a key national role where his wealth of experience and passion for Liberia’s culture can further benefit our country.”
Mr. Elliot further conveyed the appreciation of the entire DATI family, extending heartfelt thanks and appreciation to His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for this distinguished recognition as the honor is not only for Dr. Gbaba but also for everyone who believes in preserving Liberia’s rich cultural heritage and promoting national unity through the performing arts.
Dr. Gbaba, whose career spans more than five decades, is regarded as one of Liberia’s foremost playwrights, theatre directors, educators, and cultural advocates. Through the establishment of Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc., he has mentored generations of Liberian artists while championing cultural preservation, peacebuilding, and national reconciliation.
The conferment of the Order of the Star of Africa with the Grade of Commander stands as one of Liberia’s highest national recognitions and affirms Dr. Gbaba’s enduring legacy as a cultural icon whose life’s work continues to inspire Liberians at home and abroad.
Monrovia, Liberia – Renowned Liberian playwright, theatre director, educator, and Executive Director of Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI), Dr. Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., has been selected by His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. to receive one of Liberia’s prestigious national honors—the Order of the Star of Africa with the Grade of Commander.
The honor was conveyed through an official communication dated July 8, 2026, signed by Chief of Protocol Ambassador Antoinette M. Wolo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letter informed Dr. Gbaba that, as part of activities marking Liberia’s 179th Independence Day Celebration, President Boakai would confer the national distinction upon him during a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Monrovia.
The correspondence also requested that Dr. Gbaba invite three guests to the ceremony and submit a copy of his biography to facilitate the preparation of the official citation recognizing his distinguished service to Liberia.In his response to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Gbaba expressed profound appreciation to President Boakai for the recognition, describing the honor as both humbling and deeply meaningful.
Meanwhile, in his response to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Gbaba expressed profound appreciation to President Boakai for the recognition, describing the honor as both humbling and deeply meaningful. “Please convey my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to His Excellency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, for the honor and his thoughtfulness,” Dr. Gbaba wrote.However, Dr. Gbaba explained that he would be unable to attend the investiture ceremony because he currently resides in the United States of America and received the invitation on July 15, leaving insufficient time to make travel arrangements before the scheduled event.To ensure representation at the national ceremony, Dr. Gbaba designated his brother-in-law, Mr. Rameses A. Porte, Jr., to receive the honor on his behalf.
Dr. Gbaba is widely recognized as one of Liberia’s foremost cultural ambassadors. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he has dedicated himself to preserving Liberia’s history, traditions, and cultural identity through theatre, education, literature, and peace advocacy. As the founder and Executive Director of Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI), he has mentored generations of young Liberian artists while promoting national unity, reconciliation, and cultural preservation both in Liberia and across the diaspora.
The Order of the Star of Africa is among Liberia’s highest national distinctions and is bestowed upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and distinguished service to the nation.The conferment of the Grade of Commander on Dr. Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr. stands as a national recognition of his enduring contributions to Liberia’s cultural development, education, and the preservation of the country’s rich artistic heritage.
According to a communication dated July 8, 2026, from Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. is scheduled to confer upon Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed.D., the distinction of Commander in the Order of the Star of Africa on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Monrovia. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. The Order of the Star of Africa is one of Liberia’s historic national orders. Established in 1920, it recognizes distinguished service to Liberia or Africa, including exceptional contributions to public service, the arts and the sciences. The grade of Commander therefore represents a serious national acknowledgment of a lifetime devoted to scholarship, education, theatre, literature, cultural preservation and service to humanity.
For Grand Gedeh County, this impending honor is particularly remarkable. It celebrates a distinguished Liberian whose life and creative identity are deeply connected to Grand Gedeh and the Krahn cultural heritage. But Dr. Gbaba’s significance cannot be confined to one county or one ethnic community. He belongs to Liberia. He is one of the custodians of our collective memory.
𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒚 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓Dr. Gbaba’s documented theatrical journey began while he was still a student at Carroll High School in Yekepa. The University of Zurich’s Liberian Literature Project catalogs his 1974 play, Kekula at the End of His Course of Study, as well as later works including Chains of Apartheid from 1977, Zon Ninneh Taryee and The Resurrection. This independent academic record is particularly important because it places his work within the documented history of Anglophone Liberian literature. University of Zurich’s bibliography of Liberian literatureIn 1977, Dr. Gbaba founded Dehkontee Artists Theatre at the University of Liberia. Through that institution, he trained performers and created a platform for presenting Liberian experiences through drama, music, dance and storytelling.
One of the most moving dimensions of Dr. Gbaba’s work is that he did not abandon culture when Liberia entered its darkest period. During the civil crisis, when violence was destroying institutions and suspicion was separating communities, Dehkontee Artists Theatre reportedly used performance to promote peace and reconciliation. In 1992, amid the instability of the civil-war era, Dr. Gbaba staged The Minstrel’s Tales and The Resurrection at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia. That matters profoundly.When guns were attempting to define Liberia, Dr. Gbaba insisted that theatre, history and culture could still speak. When the country was being divided along political and ethnic lines, he assembled artists around stories that appealed to conscience, faith and shared humanity.
𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔:
President Boakai’s decision to honor Dr. Gbaba communicates several important messages. First, it declares that nation-building is not undertaken only by presidents, legislators, soldiers, engineers and businesspeople. Artists, teachers, writers, historians and cultural workers also build nations. Second, it recognizes labor that is often performed without adequate financial support or public attention. Liberia frequently applauds entertainers when they become popular, but it does not always sufficiently honor the people who build cultural institutions, train generations of performers, document history and preserve indigenous knowledge.Third, the recognition elevates the national importance of Grand Gedeh County. A son of the county’s cultural heritage is being honored not because he abandoned his identity, but because he used that identity as one foundation from which to serve the entire nation.Dr. Gbaba demonstrates that one can be proudly Krahn and completely Liberian; deeply rooted in Grand Gedeh and internationally accomplished; a custodian of a particular heritage and simultaneously a servant of national unity. That is the Liberia we must build—a country in which our ethnic identities enrich our citizenship instead of threatening it.
Family and friends, greetings from the Honorable Body of Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI). Next year February 2027, DATI is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. We know you would be honored to have a souvenir that exhibits the rich and diverse heritage of Liberia hung in your living room of office for your guests to see and admire.
We are pleased to inform you that the DATI 2027 50th Anniversary Souvenir Calendar will be ready in two weeks.
The DATI 50th Anniversary Souvenir Calendar will contain photographs and summaries of theatrical productions and cultural events DATI produced over the past 50 years. Funds raised will be used to purchase land/site for the proposed DATI School of the Performing and Visual Arts in Liberia.
The cost of a DATI 2027 50th Anniversary Souvenir Calendar is $100. To purchase a calendar, please include your mailing and email address and phone number. Put in your order today by making a check or money order payable to:
Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. P. O. Box 143 Clifton Heights, PA 19018
Questions: Please contact the following individuals:
Mrs. Irene Roberts-Gulley (302)423-6953 Mrs. Comfort Sobah (610) 529-1576 Dr. Joe Gbaba (267) 973-1709
