A youth advocate from Zorzor, Lofa, is currently visiting the South American nation of Colombia to participate in a two-week youth exchange program between Liberia and Colombia.

Kwabo is a youth development worker and founder and executive director of Youth Talk-Liberia, an organization working with young people in Zorzor.

He is the only Liberian representative among seven Ghanaians participating in an initiative by the Colombian government through its embassy in Ghana, intended to strengthen the country’s relations with West African countries.

Photo courtesy of James Kwabo

While in Colombia, Kwabo has told The Bush Chicken that he and his West African counterparts are meeting and interacting with national government officials and youth groups. He said they are also learning from Colombia, experiences meant to help strengthen their own youth groups and grassroots institutions in their home countries. The program will end on October 29.

Between September 24 and October 6, Kwabo said the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported the Liberian version of the program which brought Colombian youth development worker Nicolas Martinez to Liberia.

The program was coordinated by Youth Talk-Liberia and brought together more than 60 young people in Zorzor to discuss a wide range of topics; including the need for peaceful elections, sexual and reproductive health rights, youth employment and entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and peacebuilding in post-conflict areas.

Kwabo hailed the government for allowing the country to participate in the program, which he described as “a result-oriented approach to global and bilateral youth development programs.”

“My experience in Colombia is rewarding and fascinating in all aspects of the program,” he added.

Kwabo described Colombia as a wonderful country with a diversity of cultures.

Featured photo courtesy of James Kwabo