Professor at North Carolina Central University Running for President of Liberia

James S. Guseh, a professor of political economy, public administration and law at North Carolina Central University in Durham, has recently taken a one-year leave of absence. During his sabbatical, Professor Guseh is forming a campaign for the presidency of Liberia, the West African nation established by former U.S. slaves.

Guseh is mounting a challenge to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a figure who is hugely popular in the West and in scholarly circles but who, according to Guseh, is vulnerable among Liberian voters.

Guseh’s platform calls for decentralized authority within the African nation, improvement in Liberia’s employment and literacy rates, and a reduction in government corruption.

Professor Guseh came to the United States from Liberia two decades ago. He had served in the country’s government in the 1980s, most notably as assistant minister of justice for economic affairs.

Dr. Guseh is a graduate of Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He obtained a master’s degree in economics at the University of Oregon. He then earned a law degree and a master’s in public administration at Syracuse University. He also holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in political economy from the University of Texas at Dallas.

The election will be held next October.

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