By Shallon S. Gonlor
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY – In a transformative approach to leadership, Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono is breaking from tradition by empowering local officials and a community journalist with a coveted opportunity: a platform on the world stage. Her strategy of inclusive delegation is equipping Nimba’s leaders with global insights to drive local development.
Superintendent Gono’s commitment to international engagement and capacity building was recently demonstrated through two significant diplomatic missions. In a historic move for environmental advocacy, she led a delegation to the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, where Sehyi Clan Chief Annie Wehyee directly represented Nimba County, underscoring the county’s proactive stance on global climate challenges.
Building on this success, on Saturday, August 23, Superintendent Gono led a seven-member delegation to the prestigious Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, a global hub for innovation, culture, technology, and sustainable development that provided an unparalleled opportunity for county officials to network with global leaders and experts.
Reflecting her dedication to gender inclusivity and professional growth, the delegation prominently featured female leaders, including Administrative District Commissioners Hon. Mary N. Gonlepa, Hon. Christina Mempoe Gontaye, and Hon. Kemah N. Kuoh, alongside Budget Analyst Mrs. Joyce Paye Mama Saah and Accountant Miss Laypiaseh Yenglee. In a landmark decision for press freedom, Superintendent Gono also included Mr. Raily Guanbeh, a journalist from Voice of Gompa, which marks the first time a Nimba County Superintendent has facilitated international event coverage by a local journalist.
These initiatives have sparked widespread acclaim from citizens across Nimba County and Liberia, who see it as a proud moment for women’s leadership and transformative governance. Social media platforms have been alight with praise, such as from Garrison Lomehn Donseah, who hailed Superintendent Gono’s leadership as “extraordinary explicit,” and Shelton Yarwaseh Karr, who thanked her for providing opportunities to local leaders and journalists.
Mike Nehdor Wotoe, Sr. congratulated journalist Raily Guanbeh and praised the Superintendent’s good work, while Olympia W. Gonmah offered constructive input for the future by suggesting selecting people with expertise in environmental science and climate change for relevant conferences. This public response signals a profound sense of optimism and relief for the county’s new direction.
