Human Rights Advocate and Ex-Student Leader appointed As Liberia Democracy Watch ED

One of Liberia’s oldest pro-democracy, human rights and public policy advocacy and research movement, Liberia Democracy Watch (LDW) has appointed former student leader and human rights advocate, Mustapha Nush Kanneh as its Executive Director.

In the appointment letter dated September 28, 2023 under the signature of Human Rights and Political Advocate, Cllr. Jerome J. Verdier, Sr., Board Chairperson of LDW, said the appointment of Mr. Kanneh as the institution’s Executive Director is based on intrusive review of his work for democracy, peace and human rights.

"We are pleased to appoint you to the position of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of The Liberia Democracy Watch (LDW). In this position, you will head, lead, and direct the operations of LDW and lead it into the new democratic dispensation after prodemocracy, human rights and a progressive civic education advocacy spanning over three (3) decades of existence," the statement quoted Cllr. Verdier as saying. .

Mr. Kanneh served as Chairman of the Students Unification Party, Executive Director of the Center for Accountability Leadership and Press Bureau Analyst at Liberia National Students Union and Volunteer at the Federation of Liberian Youth among others.

He is a graduate of the University of Liberia with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Minor in Management and several international and local certificates in Peace, Democracy and Human Rights. Currently, Mr. Kanneh is an emerging diplomat, and an aspiring legal practitioner and educator.

Mr. Kannah, as student leader, led one of the biggest protests in Liberia known as the "Fix the Country" demanding the administration of President George M. Weah to address alleged corruption, human rights abuses, democracy and peace.

He has over six years of activism and student politics as well providing leadership mentorship and guidance for others.

Served at all levels of student leadership and at the same time working with policy maker both Universities and national level to ensure good governance, public Administration, management and transformational leadership.

Mr. Kanneh is an enigmatic character very hardworking, creative, innovative and altruistic; passionate about peace building, human rights, democracy, gender inclusion and positive change making.

Liberia Democracy Watch (LDW) was established in late 1996 in the build up to the 1997 elections in Liberia.

LDW was founded by a group of university graduates who envisioned a society devoid of socio-political abuses, corruption, and the weaning respect for the rule of law.

As a formidable pro-democracy and advocacy organization during the heat of the Liberian civil war, the LDW advocated peace negotiation and robustly engaged into civic education and human rights awareness and protection programs that saw the translation of the constitution of Liberia into simple English version leading up to the elections of 1997 and beyond when the mainstay of the institution was public policy advocacy and research ....

LDW seeks to influence the national political debate by initiating and sustaining dialogue and interaction between all Liberian stakeholders to stimulate national discourse on issues of relevance and significance to the political development of the country.

With elections and the composition of the new political class, LDW is strategizing new modes of engagement for the actualization of its goals for the period.

"Your preferment is the outcome of intrusive review of your work with the Student Community during your sojourn as a student leader and advocate; your convictions as a transformative leader, your good governance advocacy and what was revealed during your hours of interview as a strong, intelligent, analytical intuitions as an ardent advocate for good governance, social justice, and peace," he noted.

Accordingly, the letter of appointments said that Mr. Kanneh will be overseer by the LDW Board, which will provide policy prescriptions and directions for the Organization depending on the leadership capabilities, professional expertise and his knowledge of Human Rights and Pro-Democracy

Advocacy he brings to the new assignment.

"Sir, may you please accept our congratulations and appreciation for you and your preferment and the character and strength you bring into this role clearly expected to catapult the LDW into its pivotal role as a prodemocracy leader into the NEW PRODEMOCACY DISPENSATION OF THE NEW MAMA LIBERIA looming in the horizon. Congratulations and best wishes, Sir. DEMOCRACY NOW!," the communication concluded.