GBARNGA, Liberia-As the dust settles on the recent student council elections at the Bong County Technical College (BCTC) in Gbarnga, a political rivalry has emerged that may reshape the dynamics in Bong County leading up to the 2029 elections.
This developing narrative prominently features Senator Johnny Kpehe Sr. and former District Five Representative Edward Karfiah, both of whom have intensified their engagement with the student body and each other amidst growing political tensions.
The initial signs of this political battleground emerged during the college’s Student Council Elections, where Kpehe and Karfiah aligned themselves with two rival campus-based political parties: the Student Progress Congress (SPC), spearheaded by Kongoi Gborkorquelli, and STUDA-SUP, backed by Alfred Kollie.
Despite Senator Kpehe’s reported support for Gborkorquelli’s SPC, the election results favored Kollie’s STUDA-SUP, marking a significant setback for the incumbent senator.
The aftermath of the elections saw an escalation of the rivalry, particularly during the induction ceremony of the newly elected Student Council Government, where Karfiah seized the moment to make a substantial cash donation.
He also pledged to provide a Starlink Wi-Fi system to address the pressing internet connectivity issues faced by students and the administration, a gesture that resonated well with the college community.
Karfiah’s re-entry into the political arena has galvanized his supporters, who took to social media to proclaim that he was stepping up to fulfill the responsibilities Kpehe was elected to address. This shift in sentiment reflects a larger narrative among the student body, suggesting a growing frustration with Kpehe’s political efficacy.
In response to Karfiah’s rising prominence, Kpehe adopted a strategic approach to counter the narrative. Just three days following Karfiah’s substantial promises, Kpehe made his move by announcing a donation of his own – a set of Starlink Wi-Fi systems to the college.
This rapid response was perceived by some as a tactical maneuver to diminish the political momentum Karfiah had garnered among students.
The reaction to Kpehe’s donation was mixed. While some students acknowledged his effort, many others, particularly members of the newly inaugurated student government, criticized the gesture as belated and insincere.
They described Kpehe’s actions as an attempt to stir confusion among students rather than a genuine commitment to addressing their needs.
Notably, the new student council president, Alfred Kollie, whose party had won the elections, expressed disappointment over Kpehe’s actions. During a ceremony celebrating the senator’s announcement, Kollie reportedly felt compelled to disassociate himself from the event, even requesting that he be removed from the record of comments made during the ceremony—a request that this reporter was unable to comply with.
The underlying tensions were exacerbated by the knowledge that two identical Starlink systems could not function simultaneously at the same location. This logistical challenge highlighted the impracticality of competing donations and underscored the political gamesmanship at play.
The unfolding scenario at BCTC is more than just a college rivalry; it is a microcosm of the larger political landscape in Bong County as the 2029 elections approach.
Both Kpehe and Karfiah represent distinct political trajectories and philosophies, with each vying for influence among the younger electorate that seeks real-world solutions to pressing issues. Kpehe, during the 2023 Senatorial Elections in Bong, massively defeated Karfiah.
As political ambitions heighten, BCTC will likely continue to serve as a backdrop for their contestation, reflecting broader societal debates about leadership, accountability, and the engagement of elected officials in addressing the needs of their constituents.
