MONROVIA, August 24, 2026 – Ambassador Maxson Kpakio, founder of the Hope Restored Foundation International, has sounded a grave alarm over the escalating prevalence of shisha, vaping, underage gambling, and substance abuse among Liberian youth. He warned that the nation is teetering on the precipice of sacrificing an entire generation if decisive national action is not taken to confront these growing societal threats. Kpakio’s impassioned plea comes as his organization continues its nationwide awareness campaign, a vital initiative aimed at educating the younger populace about the insidious dangers lurking within these harmful practices.
Ambassador Kpakio’s journey into social advocacy is deeply rooted, tracing back to his formative years with the Justice Forum Liberia. During that period, he, alongside fellow advocates, championed the cause of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, and played a significant role in pushing for critical national reforms. Among these, the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia stood out as a testament to their commitment to justice and accountability.
However, it was upon his return to Liberia from the United Kingdom that Kpakio encountered a reality that profoundly disturbed him: the burgeoning popularity of shisha among Liberian youth. His observations of young people, including girls, engaging in shisha smoking at various entertainment venues spurred him to conduct thorough research in the UK regarding its potential health consequences. The findings, he revealed, were alarming enough to galvanize him into establishing and formally registering the Hope Restored Foundation International, a vehicle through which he launched a sustained campaign against substance abuse and related social ills.
Since its inception, the Foundation has diligently carried its message into the heart of communities, engaging audiences in churches, mosques, schools, and local gatherings. Their mission has been to foster open dialogue and educate young people and community leaders about the detrimental effects associated with substance abuse. Kpakio emphasized the long-term vision, stating, “We are not just addressing immediate issues; we are investing in the future health and well-being of our nation.”
Welcoming Restrictions, Demanding Enforcement
Kpakio acknowledged and welcomed the government’s recent actions in imposing restrictions on shisha and certain other substances. However, he cautioned that legislative pronouncements alone are insufficient. He stressed the critical need for sustained enforcement and comprehensive public education campaigns to effectively combat the problem. The continued, albeit often clandestine, presence of shisha in some entertainment centers, he noted, underscores the urgent requirement for authorities to bolster their enforcement mechanisms. Simultaneously, civil society organizations like Hope Restored Foundation International must continue their crucial role in public enlightenment.
“We are still interested in continuing the campaign,” Kpakio reiterated, underscoring his organization's unwavering commitment. “We will continue moving from one community to another to expose what we describe as the hidden dangers behind shisha use.” He issued a stark warning to young people against perceiving shisha as a harmless recreational activity, arguing that prolonged consumption can inevitably lead to severe and debilitating health complications. This sentiment aligns with global health organizations' warnings about the addictive nature of nicotine and the potential respiratory issues associated with water pipe smoking.
Vaping: A New Frontier of Concern
Parallel to the campaign against shisha, Kpakio has broadened his focus to address the alarming rise in the popularity of electronic cigarettes and vaping among Liberia’s youth. He characterized vaping as another emerging public health crisis that Liberia must confront proactively before it becomes irrevocably entrenched in its social fabric. Kpakio expressed concern that the nation risks a scenario where its healthcare system is overwhelmed with young individuals suffering from the long-term consequences of vaping-related illnesses, a situation that could have been averted with timely intervention.
He is advocating for stringent regulations and restrictions on vaping devices and e-cigarettes, urging their inclusion in broader national strategies aimed at controlling harmful substances. The comparison to shisha is apt, as both practices often appeal to youth through novel flavors and perceived social acceptability. Kpakio’s critique also extends to Liberians residing abroad who, he believes, sometimes return to the homeland introducing practices and products that can negatively influence young people without providing adequate context or education on the associated risks. This highlights a nuanced challenge involving cultural exchange and the responsibility of diasporan communities.
Underage Gambling: A Growing Menace
Kpakio’s multi-faceted campaign also tackles the pervasive issue of gambling, with a particular emphasis on the participation of minors. He voiced his profound outrage over the observed exposure of children as young as eight, nine, and ten years old to gambling activities. The advocate warned that normalizing gambling for children can foster a dangerous trajectory towards addiction, financial instability, and potentially, criminal behavior. He firmly believes that children should be immersed in educational pursuits, skill development, and healthy recreational activities like sports, rather than engaging in gambling with money that their parents often struggle to earn.
His criticism is also directed at the government’s current approach, which often involves the confiscation and destruction of gambling machines found in communities. Kpakio argued that this reactive measure is insufficient as it fails to address the root cause – the source and importation of these machines. He posited that thousands of such machines can continue to flood Liberian communities if authorities do not implement robust measures to prevent their entry into the country. This points to a broader governance challenge related to border control and regulatory oversight of illicit trade.
Legislative Engagement and Future Actions
Ambassador Kpakio revealed that the Hope Restored Foundation International has previously submitted a formal petition to the National Legislature. This petition detailed concerns and called for legislative action on the proliferation of gambling machines, the unchecked spread of vaping, and other issues impacting the nation's youth. The Foundation intends to re-engage with the Capitol Building in the coming weeks, demanding that lawmakers publicly address the petition and formally place these critical matters on the legislative agenda. This is a crucial step in leveraging the legislative branch to enact protective policies.
Kpakio issued a firm warning: should the lawmakers fail to heed their calls for action, the organization will not hesitate to appeal directly to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for executive intervention. This strategy underscores the multi-pronged approach to advocacy, engaging both legislative and executive branches of government to ensure policy changes.
“The Future Is Being Built Now”: A Call to Action
Under the powerful slogan, “The Future Is Being Built Now,” Kpakio is extending an urgent appeal to community leaders, parents, religious institutions, and, most importantly, the young people themselves, to join forces in this vital campaign. He emphasized that Liberia cannot afford to remain passive while practices detrimental to its youth continue to spread unchecked. The call for action resonates with the understanding that societal well-being is intrinsically linked to the health and development of its younger generation.
Kpakio also champions the active participation of young people in the campaign, with the Hope Restored Foundation International actively seeking community ambassadors. These ambassadors would be instrumental in mobilizing their peers and amplifying awareness efforts within their respective communities. This grassroots approach is essential for fostering ownership and sustainability of the campaign’s objectives.
Beyond advocacy, Kpakio highlighted the Foundation's broader vision: to support youth development through initiatives in sports and talent enhancement. He argues that providing young Liberians with constructive opportunities and platforms is paramount in steering them away from the allure of substance abuse, gambling, and other destructive behaviors. This developmental focus complements the preventive measures, offering positive alternatives.
In conclusion, Ambassador Kpakio stressed that the fight spearheaded by Hope Restored Foundation International is not merely about banning substances or confiscating machines. It is fundamentally about safeguarding Liberia's future by protecting its next generation. He urged all Liberians to recognize that the choices and actions taken today will invariably shape the strength, health, and productivity of Liberia tomorrow. This perspective frames the current challenges not as isolated incidents, but as critical determinants of the nation's long-term trajectory. The implications for Liberia’s future workforce, economic potential, and social stability are profound.
