Kehleh Urges Lofa Citizens to Put Common Interests First

The Co-Chairlady of Quardu Gboni District, Massa Kanneh Kehleh, has renewed her call for stronger unity between the Mandingo community and other citizens of Lofa County, urging residents to put aside ethnic and political differences and work together for the county’s development.

Kehleh made the appeal during an interview with this newspaper on the sidelines of the Mandingo Cultural Festival held Saturday at the residence of Local Government Minister Francis Nyumanlin.

The festival brought together members of the Mandingo community and other citizens of Lofa County to celebrate cultural heritage while promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking at the gathering, Kehleh emphasized the importance of mutual respect, cooperation and peaceful coexistence among the county’s various ethnic groups, describing unity as essential to sustainable development.

“Unity remains essential to promoting peace, development, and stronger relationships among the people of the county, regardless of their cultural or political differences,” Kehleh said.

She urged Mandingo citizens and other residents of Lofa County to pursue shared interests while preserving their distinct cultural identities and traditions.

According to Kehleh, cultural diversity should not become a source of division but rather serve as a foundation for stronger social and economic relationships among communities.

She stressed that lasting progress cannot be achieved without a collective commitment to peace and cooperation, calling on residents to prioritize issues that unite them over those that create division.

The Mandingo Cultural Festival provided a platform for reinforcing those messages, with organizers and participants using the occasion to showcase Mandingo traditions and customs while promoting inclusion and cooperation among Lofa County’s diverse population.

The gathering attracted a cross-section of residents and community leaders, reflecting what participants described as a shared interest in strengthening relationships across ethnic lines.

Lofa County is home to several ethnic communities, including the Mandingo, Kissi, Lorma and Gbandi, making social cohesion an important component of efforts to promote peace and development.

Kehleh’s appeal comes as local leaders continue to encourage greater cooperation among communities, particularly on issues affecting the county’s overall development.

She maintained that residents must recognize their common interests and work collectively to address challenges facing the county, while respecting the cultural and political differences that exist among them.

Local government officials, including Minister Nyumanlin, whose residence hosted the festival, have also emphasized the importance of cultural activities in promoting dialogue, understanding and peaceful relations among Liberia’s diverse communities.

As the festival concluded, organizers expressed optimism that the gathering would contribute to sustained efforts to strengthen unity and cooperation among residents of Lofa County.