By: Julius Konton
Liberia’s premier vocational and technical institution, the Booker T. Washington Institute (BWI), on Saturday commemorated its 97th Founders’ Day, celebrating nearly a century of shaping generations of leaders, technicians, and professionals who have contributed significantly to Liberia’s development.
The event, held on the sprawling BWI campus in Kakata, Margibi County, was celebrated under the theme: “Honoring Our Founders, Celebrating Their Legacies Toward the Centenary.”
Founded in 1929, Booker T. Washington Institute remains Liberia’s oldest and most prestigious technical and vocational education institution.
Established through a partnership between the Governments of Liberia and the United States, the school was modeled after the philosophy of renowned African-American educator, emphasizing industrial education, discipline, and character building.
Over the past 97 years, BWI has produced thousands of graduates across disciplines including engineering, agriculture, commerce, and industrial arts, making it a critical pillar in Liberia’s workforce development.
According to education sector estimates, technical and vocational education accounts for nearly 35% of Liberia’s skilled labor force, with BWI contributing a significant share.
Serving as keynote representative for the honored alumni was Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, himself a proud BWI alumnus, who delivered an emotional tribute reflecting on the institution’s impact on his life and the lives of many national leaders.
“People know all of us for many things, but we can boldly say we were made at BWI,” Ngafuan declared. “The discipline we have today, we got it from here. Waking up at 4:00 a.m. to pick up papers, learning respect for seniors, responsibility, and hard work, these values were built right here.”
Ngafuan emphasized that BWI’s educational model remains unique, blending technical competence with academic excellence and moral discipline.
“BWI is where you become technically solid and academically strong.
It set our path for the future. This institution trains not only the head, but the heart and the hands. That is what makes a well-rounded person,” he said.
The Finance Minister also used the occasion to commend the institution’s current leadership, especially the principal and former administrators, for sustaining the school’s rich tradition despite years of infrastructural and financial challenges.
During the ceremony, special recognition was also given to BWI’s historic choir, a longstanding cultural symbol of the institution.
Ngafuan praised the choir’s performance, noting its historical significance in connecting past and present generations of students.
“While singing during our time, it connected us to history, and seeing the current generation keeping that spirit alive is commendable,” he said, promising the choir a luncheon package in appreciation of their performance.
BWI’s influence on Liberia’s national leadership remains profound.
Several prominent Liberian including cabinet ministers, engineers, business executives, Media Owners and legislators are alumni of the institution.
The school has survived Liberia’s turbulent history, including the 1989–2003 civil conflict, during which much of its infrastructure was damaged but later restored.
Government investment in technical education has seen gradual growth in recent years.
Liberia’s national budget for education in 2026 stands at over US$150 million, with increasing emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as youth unemployment remains above 15%, according to labor estimates.
Ngafuan disclosed that the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai continues to prioritize BWI’s growth, noting the President’s deep personal attachment to the institution.
“When it comes to BWI, the President is always there. His passion for this institution remains strong. In fact, he wants us to do more, and we will continue to do more,” Ngafuan said.
As BWI now counts down to its 100th anniversary in 2029, stakeholders say the institution’s centenary celebration will not only mark its enduring legacy but also serve as a defining moment to reposition technical education as a cornerstone of Liberia’s economic transformation.
With Liberia pushing for industrialization, infrastructure expansion, and youth empowerment, BWI’s role in producing skilled manpower may prove more critical than ever before.
