Liberia: Homegoing Ceremonies for Late Dr. Guannu Begin
Dr. Joseph Saye Guannu
.... Dr. Guannu's writings rendered him a national treasure and brought history to life for millions of readers. He dedicated most of his life to trying to share his passion for history with the general public.
The family, friends and associates of the late Dr. Joseph Saye Guannu, a renowned Liberian historian, academic and statesman, have announced a series of programs reflecting on his life as part of his homegoing ceremonies.
There are three scheduled programs so far — a celebration of life program, followed by a memorial service, and then the funeral a few days later.
According to the announcement by the Family and Friends of Dr. Guannu, the public is invited to a Celebration of Life for the late Dr. Joseph Saye Guannu on October 12, at 11 a.m., at the Lutheran Church Conference Hall on 13th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia. This two-hour event will be held under the theme: “Reflection and Celebration of Heroism”. It is expected to be an invaluable time of remembrance and last respects paid to the memory of the deceased for his contributions made to Liberia through all the hats he wore.
The Cuttington University Family (Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Students) have announced a memorial service in honor of the deceased, slated for October 13, to honor the legacy of the late Guannu as the Founder and former Director of the Joseph Saye Guannu Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Cuttington University. The service will be held during the regular Chapel Program at the Epiphany Chapel, on the Cuttington campus in Suacoco, Bong County.
Finally, the funeral service over the remains of the late Guannu will be held on Saturday, October 15, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Parish, in his home city of Sanniquellie, Nimba County, where he will also be interred. Guannu answered his eternal summons on August 29, at about 8:43 p.m., just a few weeks shy of his 82nd birthday. This sad event took place in Ganta City, Nimba after a protracted period of illness. He had been out of public sight and livingly quietly in Sanniquellie.
Born on September 17, 1940, Dr. Guannu was a Liberian academic, historian and statesman. He founded the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Cuttington University. He was one of the country’s greatest and most politically respected historians whose work was widely read by many and continues to be. He was sought after for his insights on Liberian history.
And during his lifetime, he authored several books, most notable of which are Liberia History before 1857, Liberian History up to 1847, and The inaugural addresses of the Presidents of Liberia from Joseph Jenkins Roberts to William Richard Tolbert Jr. (1848 -1976). Others include An Introduction to Liberian government: The first Republic and the People’s Redemption Council from 1983-1985, Liberian Civics 2004-2010; and The Perennial Problems of Liberian History 1989, and Nation-states and challenges of regional integration in West Africa, among other captivating and educative writings.
His writings rendered him a national treasure and brought history to life for millions of readers. He dedicated most of his life to trying to share his passion for history with the general public. He saw himself as an everyman blessed with lifelong curiosity and the chance to take on the subjects he cared most about.
A former Liberian ambassador to the United States of America, Guannu was one of Liberia’s most prominent historians ever and a strong voice for understanding the importance of both Liberia’s settler and indigenous histories in efforts toward reconciliation.