Published: June 5, 2026
GBARNGA, Bong County — Youth-led organizations implementing ActionAid Liberia’s Youth AHEAD Project have concluded a series of civic engagement activities in Bong County aimed at strengthening democratic participation, accountability, and youth leadership ahead of Liberia’s 2029 general and presidential elections.
The activities, which recently included town hall dialogues, community awareness campaigns, student engagements, and marketplace outreach, were organized under the Youth AHEAD Project, a youth-focused initiative designed to enhance the participation and capacity of young people, youth movements, networks, communities, and alliances while promoting alternative ways for youth to influence decision-making and hold leaders accountable.
Implemented by ActionAid Liberia in collaboration with youth-led organizations and movements, including the Federation of Liberian Youth, Activista Liberia, Radical Young Women Movement, Elections Network Liberia, Liberian Students Union, and the Mano River Union Youth Parliament–Liberia Chapter, the project is being carried out in Bong and Montserrado Counties.
According to ActionAid Liberia, the project seeks to place youth democratic priorities at the center of national discourse while preparing young people to engage meaningfully in electoral processes, democratic governance, voter education, and accountability mechanisms leading to the 2029 elections.
Addressing reporters at the climax of the exercise, Kelvin Morris, Founder and Executive Director of the Gbarnga Youth Initiative, said the initiative was developed to ensure that young people become active participants in governance processes rather than being used solely as political supporters during election periods.
“The project focuses on preparing young people to understand their role in governance and elections. Young people often play a major role during elections, but after elections they are frequently sidelined. This project is helping us change that narrative by encouraging accountability and meaningful participation,” Morris said.
He explained that participating youth organizations underwent training on electoral processes, democratic participation, civic engagement, accountability, and youth leadership before implementing community-based activities across Bong County.
The Youth AHEAD Project seeks to strengthen the capacity of youth-led organizations, movements, alliances, networks, and communities in electoral processes and democratic participation. It also aims to sensitize young people, particularly young women, about their civic rights and responsibilities while increasing the use of youth-led innovative platforms that amplify youth voices and promote dialogue on governance and democratic issues.
ActionAid Liberia noted that many young people, especially young women, continue to face socio-political and cultural barriers that limit their participation in governance and political processes. Through the project, youth are being equipped with knowledge, skills, and practical tools to engage duty bearers, advocate for reforms, and contribute to policy and governance discussions at community, county, and national levels.
As part of the project, young people were supported to host four town hall dialogues across Bong and Montserrado Counties. The meetings brought together young people, community leaders, civil society actors, and duty bearers to discuss governance challenges, youth democratic rights, accountability, electoral participation, and community priorities affecting young people.
The town hall discussions adopted a participatory, youth-centered, and gender-responsive approach that encouraged open dialogue, question-and-answer sessions, and constructive engagement. Particular attention was given to ensuring the participation and leadership of young women and marginalized youth.
A cross-section of campaigners and community members during the engagement
One of the town hall meetings was held in Chief Compound Community in Bong County, where more than 144 residents, including young people, community leaders, and stakeholders, gathered to discuss youth participation in electoral processes and democratic governance.
Participants highlighted the important role young people play in strengthening democracy through civic engagement, voter education, and peaceful participation in elections. Community members were encouraged to reject violence before, during, and after elections and to resolve disagreements through dialogue and lawful means.
The discussions also emphasized the need for citizens to hold elected leaders accountable by monitoring their performance, tracking campaign promises, and engaging constructively with public officials.
The town hall provided a platform for residents to express concerns, ask questions, and discuss practical ways of increasing youth participation in governance while promoting peaceful leadership and democratic accountability.
According to project organizers, the purpose of the town hall meetings was to move beyond awareness-raising and create direct, constructive, and accountability-focused dialogue between young people and duty bearers. The meetings were intended to strengthen youth leadership, promote civic engagement, and ensure that young people, especially young women, can influence discussions on governance and public accountability.
The project also engaged students from educational institutions, including Bong County University formerly of the Bong County Technical College, where discussions focused on electoral participation, civic rights, democratic responsibilities, and the importance of informed youth engagement in national development.
Beyond the town hall meetings, the third phase of the Youth AHEAD activities focused on community awareness and civic education campaigns across several major marketplaces in Gbarnga and surrounding communities, including Gbarnga Sunday Market, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Market, Suakoko Market, Rubber Factory Market, and other local marketplaces.
Campaigners hold a brief conversation with a local marketer during the civic engagement exercise in Bong County.
The outreach campaign engaged market women, youth groups, local leaders, and community members in discussions on the dangers of election-related violence, the importance of women’s participation in politics, youth leadership, and the responsibility of citizens to hold elected officials accountable through peaceful and democratic means.
Organizers said the marketplace campaign served as an important platform for educating citizens about their rights and responsibilities while promoting peace, inclusion, social cohesion, and active participation in Liberia’s democratic processes.
Morris highlighted the project’s deliberate focus on increasing women’s participation and leadership in governance and politics.
“Women are important to every system in our country, but we continue to see limited female representation in elected offices. We want young women to understand that they can become representatives, senators, and leaders. Politics and leadership are not only for men,” he said.
He noted that women played a significant role throughout the project activities, participating in discussions, sharing experiences, and helping to shape recommendations on governance and civic engagement.
ActionAid Liberia expects the Youth AHEAD Project to directly strengthen the capacity of at least 1,000 young people while sensitizing approximately 50,000 youth on civic rights, democratic participation, and accountability through radio programs, social media campaigns, webinars, and other awareness initiatives.
Taking the civic engagement exercise to Super Bongese Radio for wider outreach
Expected outcomes of the project include increased dialogue between young people and duty bearers, enhanced awareness of governance and democratic issues, improved youth participation in electoral processes, and documented youth priorities to inform future engagement and advocacy efforts.
Morris expressed appreciation to ActionAid Liberia for supporting youth-led organizations and creating opportunities for young people to engage constructively in governance discussions.
“On behalf of all the youth organizations that participated, we are grateful to ActionAid Liberia for providing this opportunity. The project has created a platform for young people to learn, engage, and contribute to the democratic development of our communities,” he said.
He further called for the expansion of the initiative to additional communities across Bong County so that more young people can benefit from civic education, leadership development, and democratic participation opportunities.
The activities form part of ActionAid Liberia’s broader efforts to promote democratic participation, youth leadership, accountability, peaceful civic engagement, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030 while ensuring that young people’s voices remain central to Liberia’s democratic future.
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