At just 31 years of age, Liver Gomes, a well-known and respected person in Santa Cruz, launched his candidacy for the president of the City Council, promising a significant transformation for the municipality. His ambitious proposals and diverse experience in education, administration and politics are the cornerstones of his campaign.
“I’m Liver Gomes, born and raised in Santa Cruz. I grew up seeing the difficulties of our land and graduated in Educational Sciences with a specialization in pedagogical supervision. I have a postgraduate degree in management and team management, and a master’s degree in the same field. I’m not done yet. I have experience in school management and I run the Santa Cruz Employment and Professional Training Center,” Gomes enthusiastically announced in an interview with Jornal E-Global.
A Career Dedicated to Progress
Gomes highlighted his rich professional and academic career, including time in the private sector at VM-Consultoria, Gestão e Intermediação Imobiliária, as well as important contributions to the student movement. “As a young student, I had the honor of leading the Cape Verde University Academic Association and Co-founding the Association of University Associations on the island of Santiago,” he said.
But his experience is not limited to the education sector. Gomes was coordinator of the Praia City Council Employees Committee through VM-Consultoria, Gestão e Intermediação Imobiliária, writer on the Stock Exchange, member of the Council of the University of Cape Verde and president of the Association of University Associations of Ilha de Santiago . In the field of politics, his work in Youth for Democracy (JpD), where he was deputy secretary general and coordinator of JpD Santa Cruz, is noteworthy.
“Since 2013, I have been a member of the MPD. I believe in the party’s democratic values and its openness to include all Cape Verdeans,” he said, emphasizing his long association with the Movement for Democracy.
Inspirations and Recommendations: A New Vision for Santa Cruz
Liver Gomes made it clear that his main motivation is to address the socio-economic challenges of Santa Cruz, a municipality that presents itself in every index as one of the “poorest in Cape Verde”. “The current situation in Santa Cruz urges me to act. We must explore our potential in agriculture, in the sea and in our people to generate economic and social development,” he said.
His vision for Santa Cruz is broad and strategic. “I see Santa Cruz as an agricultural granary that needs to be industrialized. Agriculture needs to be modernized and we need to attract companies that set up roots here, which increases our productivity,” he explained. Gomes also believes in the potential of a Port in Santa Cruz that can dismantle the Port of Praia and promote tourism. “With a connection to the island of Maio, which is close to our municipality, we can explore beach and sun tourism, as well as rural tourism in Santa Cruz, which is an alternative for both domestic and international tourism.”
Education and Youth: Pillars of the Future
Education is another central point in his proposal. “We need to invest heavily in basic education and professional training in technologies. It is essential to create conditions for our young people for the development of Santa Cruz and Cape Verde,” he said.
Sport: A Development Tool
Gomes also sees sport as an opportunity for economic development. “Sport can and is a profitable business. We need to create infrastructure and programs that open up opportunities for our young people. As president, I will strengthen sports policy with the government, building sports parks, programs and pavilions,” he promised.
Message: A Call to Unity
In his closing words, Gomes appealed to the population of Santa Cruz. “I ask the people of Santa Cruz to trust me. I am a motivated man, with the necessary skills to change our municipality and improve all the good things we have. Our mission is to work side by side with everyone, ensuring that every voice is heard and every need is met,” he concluded with confidence and determination.
Anicia Cabral