James Papy Kwabo

James Papy Kwabo is a Liberian communications, media development, public policy, governance, and higher education professional with more than fifteen years of progressive leadership experience spanning academia, government, media development, strategic communications, public relations, consultancy, democratic governance, youth leadership, and community development. His work has consistently focused on strengthening institutions, expanding access to information, developing future leaders, and supporting evidence-based public engagement through communication, education, and public service.

He currently serves as a Lecturer at Lofa County University, where he teaches courses in the Department of Communication and Media Studies and the Department of Public Administration, including Communication and Media Studies, Public Policy, and Local Government Administration. His teaching combines academic scholarship with practical experience to prepare students for professional careers in communications, governance, journalism, and public administration.

In 2015, James founded Alternative Youth Radio in Zorzor, Lofa County. Since commencing broadcasting in 2016, the station has become a respected rural community media institution dedicated to responsible journalism, civic education, democratic participation, youth empowerment, and community development. Under his leadership, the institution has established strategic partnerships with national and international organizations while providing practical journalism training and expanding access to credible information across northern Liberia.

His professional experience includes serving as Consultant to the Pan African Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP) at Meridian International Center (2022–2025), Media and Communications Consultant at the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (2022–2024), Public Relations Officer at the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (2020–2022), and Media Consultant to the Ministry of Labour of Liberia (2018–2020). Across these roles, he has provided strategic communication support, institutional advisory services, stakeholder engagement, media relations, public information management, and organizational communication.

James is a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow under the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the flagship leadership program of the U.S. Department of State. Beyond his fellowship, he has contributed to international leadership initiatives as a Consultant for the Pan African Youth Leadership Program, Mentor for the Terry Hall Memorial Mentorship Program implemented by IREX, Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Fellowship Application Reader, Community Engagement Exchange Interview Committee Member, Mandela Washington Fellowship Application Reader, Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Ambassador, YALI Network Influencer, and Member of the YALI 10th Anniversary Advisory Committee convened by the Wilson Center in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. He was also invited to contribute to the international learning initiative Countering Disinformation: The Role of Media and Trusted Sources in a Crisis, developed through Lehigh University and the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

He holds a Master of Public Administration from Cuttington University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, specializing in Broadcasting, from the United Methodist University. In recognition of his contributions to youth empowerment and community development, he received the MTN Liberia National Hero of Change Award in 2024.

His professional expertise includes strategic communications, media development, public policy, democratic governance, higher education, public relations, leadership development, journalism, stakeholder engagement, institutional strengthening, community media, civic engagement, project management, capacity building, crisis communication, media and information literacy, and community development.