Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dec. 28 - Last Saturday, members of the Pennsylvania chapter of the United Bassa Organization in the Americas (UNIBOA-PA) turned out in pomp and pageantry at a reunion to have their new leader installed. The rousing program, which was held in the auditorium of a local Catholic school, was attended by reps of other Liberian organizations. It was virtually a religious reunion.

"Praise the Lord", screamed Mr. Toman Gboyah, Chairman of the Board of UNIBOA-PA, "Amen!" the predominantly Bassa audience let out a salvo of thunderous voices. "What I like about being a Bassa is that we are all Christians, Mr. Toman said, adding "There is no single Muslim among us here".

UNIBOA was founded some time in 1999, and at the close of the year 2002 its Pennsylvania chapter elected a new head in person of Mr. Scott Aquarius Mandeh, a computer specialist, Sunday school superintendent, and a prominent member of the Pastoral Team at the Christ Assembly Lutheran Church in Philadelphia.

Music added even more religious flavor and fervor to the Bassa reunion. Following the famous carol "Joy to the World" which the audience sang as an opening song, the legendary Liberian Gospel singer, Miss Mai Stevens sang a Christmas number in an opera-like, soul-stirring melody which reverberated in the spacious auditorium. The audience was further rocked by the famous CALC Choir led by its youthful director Prince Whyee, son of Mr. Matthew Whyee, the articulate Grand Gedean politician.

Swinging their heads in delight to instruments of the Gospel music were some Liberian dignitaries and distinguished guests, prominent among whom were Hon. Fayah Gbollie, former presidential candidate of the Free Democratic Party and Mrs. Fannie Gbollie. Others in attendance were Bishop Gabriel Lardner of the Calvary Temple of the Jesus Christ Ministry, Inc., Zackery-Taylor Major, President of the Sinoe County Association in the Americas, Mr. Matthew Whyee, President of the PA-chapter of the Grand Gedeh Association and Dr. Samuel Y. Beh.

The reunion was typically Liberian in that it was marked by the reading of academic profiles of key players. The audience had to especially listen to the reading of the lengthy academic profile of Dr. Samuel Y. Beh, an apparently distinguished high school teacher in America who served as Guest Speaker of the installation ceremony. The learned Liberian reminded the audience of ethnic diversity in Liberia.