A man claiming to be a member of the ruling Unity Party, Obediah Kamon, staged an unusual protest on Saturday, February 22, 2025, by lying under a vehicle along the Robertfield Highway. Kamon, who live-streamed the incident on social media, directly addressed Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Madam Cornelia Kruah Togba, demanding a better-paying government job.
In the video, Kamon is heard saying, “Cornelia Kruah Togba, I need a job.” He asserted that he is willing to risk his life if he does not secure employment. Despite working in the Human Resource Department at the Liberian Senate for the past four years, Kamon expressed frustration over his salary, which he claims is approximately 150 United States Dollars and 12,000 Liberian Dollars monthly—an amount he considers inadequate to support himself.
Kamon alleged that President Joseph Boakai instructed him to meet with Madam Kruah to find a more suitable position, but his efforts have been unsuccessful. “This is why I went under a vehicle yesterday. I am demanding a job. I don’t need a minister’s job but a better one in one of these government entities that are well-paid,” he declared during his protest.
Responding to the incident, Madam Kruah issued a statement on her official Facebook page, clarifying that Kamon is not unemployed but is seeking an appointed position. “The ‘job’ he is demanding is an appointed job. Besides today’s episode, he has attempted to assault me on several occasions, claiming I refuse to submit his name for a presidential appointment,” she wrote. She further alleged that Kamon confronted her most recently at the President’s annual message reception.
“As public officials, we are expected to accept any and everything. I normally would ignore these attacks as I did today again. While I applaud your level of empathy, I do not intend to be blackmailed or threatened into submission,” Madam Kruah added.
Civil society advocate Martin Kollie also commented on the situation. In a Facebook post, Kollie described Kamon’s protest as a reflection of the struggles faced by many unemployed Liberians. “The young man crying under that car for a job is presenting the harsh plights of hundreds of thousands of jobless Liberians, including Rescuers. JNB, don’t ignore it. Our people are suffering while 87.9% of $880 million goes to fat salaries,” Kollie wrote.
