By: Victor D. Quitee
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. “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.
Meanwhile, 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.
Therefore, 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.
