UN 76th General Assembly – George Festus Blamoh
George Festus Blamoh, a student at Gordon-Conwell, presented at the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York as the global ambassador for Compassion Soul Winners Outreach International (CSWOI).
CSWOI is a nonprofit that is focused on sustainable community development throughout various regions in Africa. George highlighted the issues tackled by CSWOI such as food insecurity, which is an issue amplified by the ongoing struggle with COVID-19. George offered the haunting statistic that the number of people affected by food insecurity has increased by 4.5 million in the last year.
A native of Liberia, George stated that millions still suffer from severe food insecurity despite Africa being a rich continent with great soil, climate regions, and human resources. His proposed solution is multi-faceted: governments should equip and train farmers for irrigation farming that would allow them to transition from farming for personal subsistence to farming as a livelihood (known as merchandise farming); develop leaders that will partner with the international community; prioritize agriculture in the national budget; and “intentionally fight against the corruption that has over the years undermined the development of Africa and our economy.”
George was also recently selected to participate in the UN’s Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) 2022 Partnership Forum, which will take place in February 2022. The goal of this forum is to “build back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
As an MDiv student, George approaches his work as part of the commission from God “to cultivate the earth and be fruitful.” He believes, just as in Genesis 41 when Joseph helped save Egypt from famine, that people of discernment and wisdom should step into leadership positions to provide food security for those in need. George commented that “the principles and values of theological education have helped [him] greatly to bring a holistic change within [his] nation of Liberia and across the globe.”
The president of Compassion Soul Winners Outreach International, Mr. Francis Asomaning, recommended George Festus Blamoh due to his phenomenal leadership skills and outgoing personality. Because The Lord calls us to be ministers to the poor and leaders in the world, Mr. Francis knows that George Festus Blamoh is one such leader called to minister to the people of Africa.