The event I am about to narrate took place in the early 70’s (perhaps between 1971 and 1976):

My brother Monroe and I had gone home for our regular school vacation. Like an old record, I wish to remind my readers that we hail from Marvinkonnehdu, Quardu Gboni District. Quadra Gobi was then chiefdom.

We received invitation from the people of Kamadu to attend some festivities and programs. We went to Kamadu by way of Gbaygbaydu, though we had to climb some steep hills.

We were welcomed to Kamadu by Brothers Anthony Kesselley, Francis Duwana and other students from Monrovia. They too were on their regular school vacations. We all resided in Monrovia.

The evening was filled with lots of festivities, eating, storytelling and jokes. The “samgba” or “dorleh” was brought out in the evening and the beautiful voices of our sisters rang out through the night. Speakers after speakers took their turns to give advice and important information to the young and promising members of the chiefdom.

Then, a speaker was introduced to us as KAMAH DUWANA. He was a great school teacher in Voinjama. In fact, the speaker was no stranger to me since I spent countless nights at his residence near the Voinjama Executive Mansion whenever I arrived late in Voinjama from Monrovia.

Silent ruled the night when he began to speak. I remember him saying many things but the ones I remember and kept in my memory are the following lines. He said: Respect your elders. Respect your elders whether they went to school or not. Do not hastily condemn your elders. Remember that they are the ones who have helped to mold your minds. If you condemn your elders, then you have condemned yourselves!

“If you condemn your elders, then you have condemned yourselves!”

What a wise saying!! Simply analyzed, the Wise and Great Teacher was saying that since man is the sum total of his environment, he cannot turn around and condemn it. Perhaps his advice came from the notion that many students had after they went to Monrovia and learned “small book.” Whatever prompted his advice, I can tell him and the rest of us that it has stood the test of time.

The Wise and Great Teach Kammah Duana is with us. He resides in Philadelphia and he is a strong supporter of QGMA. To attest to this, you can see him at every QGMA function.

THANK YOU, PROF. KAMMAH DUANA FOR ALL YOUR INVALUABLE SERVICES RENDERED TO QUADU GBONI AND ITS PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS!!