Zorzor, Lofa County – Youth chief and media entrepreneur James Papy Kwabo Jr. is alleged to be gaining elevated consideration as a possible candidate for Lofa County’s District 5 seat in Liberia’s 2029 normal elections.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Though he has not formally declared his candidacy, Kwabo’s rising visibility and longstanding involvement in group improvement are fueling discussions amongst residents searching for various illustration.
Kwabo, 34, was born on November 26, 1989, in Luyeama City, Zorzor District. Orphaned at a younger age and paralyzed at 17 following a fall, he recovered with medical assist facilitated by former Labor Minister and Consultant Hon. Moses Y. Kollie—a turning level that steered him towards civic management.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the United Methodist College, and earned a Grasp’s in Public Sector Administration from Cuttington College. His management expertise started in highschool and continued by means of faculty, the place he served as president of the Mass Communications College students Affiliation.
In 2016, Kwabo based Various Youth Radio (AYR), a rural media platform broadcasting from Zorzor. The station now operates 24/7, employs over 30 youth, and has expanded to incorporate a stationery enterprise. It is usually developing a Faculty of Skilled Journalism and Vocational Training, concentrating on the coaching of greater than 25,000 youth by 2035.
Kwabo’s affect extends past Liberia. He’s a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow and has represented Liberia at worldwide youth packages in Colombia and thru the Worldwide Management Affiliation. In 2024, he obtained the MTN MoMo Heroes of Change Award for group service.
In the meantime, issues are mounting in District 5 over points tied to the present management. Constituents have cited the unexplained reassignment of a well being employee from Salayea, questions surrounding a branded ambulance linked to Religion Medical Clinic, and lack of readability within the administration of the Constituency Growth Fund and scholarship allocations.
Although no formal inquiries have been introduced, these issues have led to requires larger transparency and accountability from present Consultant Augustine B. Chiewolo.
In gentle of those points, Kwabo’s profile as a grassroots chief and youth advocate is drawing consideration, notably on condition that over 60% of Liberia’s inhabitants is beneath 35.
“Kwabo isn’t ready for workplace to behave,” stated Mulbah Begeh, a motorcyclist in Zorzor. “He’s already empowering individuals. That’s the sort of chief we’d like.”
Kwabo beforehand declined requests to run in 2017 and 2023. Nevertheless, in 2024 he confirmed that consultations are ongoing relating to a potential run in 2029.
“We’re listening,” he informed FrontPage Africa. “However choices like this have to be made with the individuals, not for them.”
