LIBERIAN YOUTH EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO PRESIDENT BOAKAI FOR HONORING DR. GBABA
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — August 15, 2026: Youth organizations and young people from across Liberia have expressed appreciation to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and the Government of Liberia for conferring Liberia’s Distinction in the Order of the Star of Africa with the Grade of Commander on renowned cultural icon, educator, playwright and peace advocate Dr. Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr.
In a letter of appreciation, the youth described the recognition as a well-deserved honor for Dr. Gbaba’s more than five decades of service to Liberia through theatre, education, cultural preservation, peace-building and the promotion of national unity. The youth groups said the recognition should inspire a new generation of Liberians to embrace their culture, develop their talents and contribute meaningfully to national development.
They also welcomed Dr. Gbaba and Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI)’s continued interest in working with the Government of Liberia on initiatives focused on national unity, cultural preservation, education, tourism and youth development. The letter concluded with a call for greater collaboration among the Government of Liberia, youth organizations and cultural institutions to preserve Liberia’s identity and build a more united nation.
The appreciation letter was signed by representatives of DATI, youth organizations and regional leadership, including Victor D. Quitee, Media and Communication Officer, DATI Liberia; Hawa Promise Guwor, Director, DATI Dougbor Chapter; Philomena M. Arkue, Director, DATI Gbenelue Chapter; Sagee Weah, Director, DATI River Gee Chapter; Jerry S. Kandakai, Director, DATI Margibi Chapter.
Others are: Melvin T. Weah, President, Maryland County Youth Association; Adam K. Chea, President, Grand Kru Youth Association; Price Natu Weadatu, President, Association of River Gee Youth; Jeremiah Vilizu, Coordinator, Region 1, Federation of Liberian Youth; Daniel M. Seatine, Regional Director, Southeastern Region, DATI; Henry F. Tamba, Regional Director, Southcentral, Northern and Western Region, DATI; and Meshach Sieh Elliott, National Coordinator, DATI Liberia.
For his part, Dr. Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba expressed heartfelt appreciation to progressive youth organizations across Liberia, particularly young people from Maryland, Grand Kru, Margibi, River Gee and Liberia at large as well as various DATI chapters, for what he described as their foresight, courage and commitment to progress and justice and publicly supporting and acknowledging President Boakai for conferring the national honor upon him.
He said the advocacy of Liberia’s youth helped draw attention to his 52 years of service dedicated to preserving Liberia’s history, culture and shared heritage while promoting peace, national unity and youth development. The Rabbi Gbaba encouraged young Liberians to remain connected to their ancestral heritage and cultural traditions, emphasizing that a strong understanding of Liberia’s identity is essential to building a peaceful and prosperous nation.
He further expressed concern about barriers that prevent meaningful youth-development initiatives from reaching policymakers, particularly proposals designed to create jobs, skills training and peace-building opportunities for Liberian youth thus expressing hope that President Boakai will consider DATI’s proposal to create employment and training opportunities for young Liberians while strengthening the country’s peace-building and reconciliation efforts.
Meanwhile, the youth organizations emphasized that honoring Dr. Gbaba is not only a recognition of his past service, but also a call to invest in Liberia’s young people, culture and future outlining that the recognition should serve as an opportunity for Liberia to place greater emphasis on its cultural heritage, empower young people and build stronger partnerships between government, youth and cultural institutions.