DATI launches National Youth Leadership Training across Liberia
By Rocheford T. Gardiner
Cape Palmas, Liberia – The Dekontee Artists Theater Inc. (DATI), a prominent media-based organization dedicated to youth development, drama, and social awareness, has officially launched its month-long “National Youth Leadership Forum Project.”
This initiative is set to gather youth leaders from all 15 counties of Liberia, empowering them with essential skills and fostering a nationwide network of informed and active young change-makers.
The forum provides a crucial platform for youth representatives to share vital updates from their respective counties, offering a grassroots perspective on the challenges and successes facing communities across Liberia. Beyond these updates, participants will undergo intensive, ongoing leadership training, designed to equip them with the tools needed to effectively lead and advocate for positive change in their various areas.
“As part of our plans, we will be conducting a one-month leadership training as of Saturday, July 12, 2025,” announced Meshach Sieh Elliott, DATI’s Maryland County Director, who added that the one month training exercise underscores DATI’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders capable of addressing Liberia’s pressing social and developmental needs.
Looking ahead, Mr. Elliott also revealed exciting plans for 2026 including a national youth summit and the highly anticipated Rabbi Joe Gbaba Peace and Cultural Festival.
These two significant events will be held concurrently in the same county and week, fostering collaboration and mutual support among youth leaders from all Liberia’s 15 political sub-divisions.
The synergy between these events is expected to amplify their impact, promoting both youth engagement and cultural preservation on a national scale.
The visionary behind DATI: Rabbi Joe Gbaba’s legacy
DATI was founded by the esteemed Rabbi Joe Gbaba, a name synonymous with Liberian arts and social activism.
As a renowned playwright, poet, and author with decades of invaluable experience, Dr. Gbaba envisioned an organization that would empower Liberia’s youth and promote critical social values in Libera’s post-war era.
Under his guidance, DATI has placed significant emphasis on several key pillars: Cultural Awareness, ensuring that Liberia’s rich heritage is understood and celebrated by its young people; Governance and Active Youth Participation, encouraging informed and engaged citizenship; Women and Gender Equity, advocating for fairness and equal opportunities; and Youth Empowerment, Mobilization, Recruitment, and Communication, building a strong, unified, and vocal youth movement.
Rabbi Joe Gbaba himself has been a tireless advocate for these principles. Over the past five years, he has been a consistent and powerful voice on local radio and social media platforms, actively disseminating messages of peace, unity, and responsible leadership. His dedication has been instrumental in shaping DATI’s mission and its ongoing success in empowering Liberian youth.
This comprehensive training and the upcoming national events represent a significant step forward in DATI’s mission to cultivate a generation of resilient and informed leaders across Liberia.
Through these initiatives, DATI aims to foster a more engaged, equitable, and culturally aware society.
