Bartuah Calls For Love Amongst Liberians
Veteran Liberian journalist Joe Bartuah, has called on his fellow compatriots to demonstrate their love and appreciation for one another, rather than waiting to pay emotional tributes to a person when such a person passes away.
Bartuah spoke on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where a cross-section of Liberians, predominately Nimbaians had gathered from various parts of the U.S. to celebrate the 70th birth anniversary of a prominent Liberian community leader, Alexander Gounquoi Domah.
Mr. Bartuah called on everyone present “to initiate a sort of cultural readjustment” by “giving people their flowers when they still have the capacity to smell the fragrance of such flowers.”
“Folks, my suggestion to every one of us here is that we should begin to appreciate one another, rather than dwelling on negativity, because the reality is that life is too short, but there is also a silver-lining, which is that happiness is priceless,” he said.
Bartuah formerly worked as managing editor of Monrovia-based newspaper, The NEWS.
During the festive celebration, according to a dispatch, citizens and elders of Yarwin-Mehnsonon District in the diaspora gowned Mr. Domah.
Domah, former president of the Mehnsonon Seletorwaa Development Association, subsequently became president of the Yarwin-Mehnsonon Selezui Development Organization in the 1980s.
He was gowned as “Honorary Paramount Chief” of Yarwin-Mehnsonon Chiefdom in Lower Nimba County for his “invaluable services over the years to the Liberian community in the diaspora.”
Many prominent Liberians, including the former president of the United Nimba Citizens Council (UNNICO), Nyah Dokie, and the current board chairman of UNICCO, Isaac Gonwokay Karto, Jr. who also spoke at the event, extolled Mr. Domah.
They described him as a prudent political strategist and a tireless community organizer, for his “congenial interactions with people over the years.”
Former Nimba County Superintendent, Mrs. Edith Gongloe-Weh, was the chief organizer of the well-coordinated event.
Mrs. Weh said the surprise birthday bash was put together as the Liberian community’s way of showing its appreciation for Mr. Domah’s relentless efforts in bringing members of the community together over the years.
Mr. Domah who was visibly overwhelmed by the gestures and goodwill of his people, commended the organizers, including his wife, Mrs. Tenezee Olivia Paye-Domah, for the surprise birthday bash.
Photo caption:
Mr. Bartuah (left), along with the honoree (middle) and Mr. John Wonlah (right) during the event.