MONROVIA – Veteran economist, political activist, and former presidential candidate Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh has been honored by the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) as he marks his 85th birthday, with the party celebrating his decades of service, intellectual contributions, and role in Liberia’s progressive political movement.
In a statement marking what it described as “85 years of life, struggle, and service,” the LPP praised Dr. Tipoteh as a historic figure whose work has influenced Liberia’s political, economic, and social development.
The party described Dr. Tipoteh as more than an individual, portraying him as a symbol of Liberia’s long struggle for democracy, social justice, economic empowerment, and greater participation of ordinary citizens in national affairs.
According to the LPP, Dr. Tipoteh belongs to a generation of Liberians who endured political challenges, including exile, imprisonment, dismissal, and threats, while advocating for reforms and greater accountability in governance.
The party highlighted his academic journey, noting that he attended Saint Patrick’s High School and the College of West Africa before pursuing higher education in the United States, where he earned a PhD in Economics from the University of Nebraska at age 27.
The LPP said Dr. Tipoteh returned to Liberia in 1971 and dedicated his knowledge and expertise to national development rather than pursuing personal wealth or political advantage.
During his career at the University of Liberia, Dr. Tipoteh contributed to the establishment of the College of Business and Public Administration and founded the Liberian Economic and Management Research Institute (LEMRI), an institution aimed at using research to address Liberia’s economic and development challenges.
The party recalled that Dr. Tipoteh’s strong advocacy for reforms and his outspoken positions led to repeated dismissals from the University of Liberia, but said student and faculty support resulted in his reinstatement on several occasions.
Beyond academia, the LPP recognized Dr. Tipoteh’s role in founding SUSUKUU in 1971, a community-based self-help and self-governance initiative designed to empower rural Liberians to use local resources to improve their communities.
The party described SUSUKUU as one of Liberia’s most significant grassroots development initiatives, saying it provided communities with a model for self-reliance and collective action despite challenges faced during periods of political repression.
The LPP also highlighted Dr. Tipoteh’s role as a co-founder of the Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA) in 1973, an organization established to promote political awareness, social justice, and peaceful resistance against inequality and injustice.
Throughout his public career, Dr. Tipoteh served in several important positions, including as Budget Advisor under the administration of former President William R. Tolbert, Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs, Chairperson of the African Governors’ Group at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and Senior Advisor to the United Nations.
The LPP said his public service has consistently focused on economic empowerment, democratic participation, and ensuring that development policies place ordinary citizens at the center of national progress.
The party also celebrated Dr. Tipoteh’s cultural identity and personal style, pointing to his African attire, signature “Tipoteh slippers,” distinctive voice, and return to his ancestral name as expressions of his commitment to African heritage and identity.
At 85, the LPP said Dr. Tipoteh remains engaged in national issues and continues to advocate for economic justice, poverty reduction, and greater participation of Liberians in shaping the country’s development.
The party argued that many of the issues Dr. Tipoteh has championed over the decades, including poverty, inequality, and citizens’ control over national resources, remain important challenges facing Liberia today.
The LPP described Dr. Tipoteh as a model of intellectual leadership, emphasizing that his legacy represents the values of knowledge, sacrifice, public service, and commitment to ordinary Liberians.
The party reaffirmed its dedication to the principles it associates with Dr. Tipoteh’s political journey, including organizing citizens, speaking against injustice, and pursuing a Liberia where dignity and opportunity are available to all.
The LPP extended birthday greetings to Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh, celebrating his contributions to Liberia’s political history and progressive movement while pledging to continue advancing the ideals he has championed throughout his life.
