By: Staff Writer
Delivering his keynote address, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai declared and acknowledged that Liberia’s path to progress lies squarely in the hands of its youth and must be driven by education, hard work, and community engagement.
According to him, Liberia will rise through the power of its youth and such promise and rise to glory will begin with education.”
Citing sobering statistics on national learning outcomes, the President emphasized the urgent need to reverse poor literacy and numeracy rates while creating new avenues for meaningful youth engagement.
The Liberian leader reiterated his belief in the potential of every Liberian youth and challenged them not to wait for tomorrow, but to lead today.
To the students, the Liberian Leader declared, “You are not the leaders of tomorrow. You are the leaders of today. Your country believes in you. Your President believes in you.”
President Boakai expressed appreciation to Liberia’s educators, development partners, and communities for their continued support and partnership in youth development.
As he officially launched the program, the President called for a new national chapter in which education becomes a national obsession, youth a national treasure, and learning a tool of liberation and progress.
He emphasized that the initiative reflects his Administration’s ongoing commitment to inclusive education, youth empowerment, and sustainable national transformation.
Among other things, President Boakai highlighted several pillars of the initiative to include, The Ministry of State Scholarship Program, which currently supports over 400 students across 20 universities and technical colleges, offering them an opportunity to learn and grow regardless of their background. He also pointed out the recruitment of 100 youth teachers from the scholarship program to serve as mentors and educators, turning today’s learners into tomorrow’s leaders.
At the same time he disclosed support for youth-led green entrepreneurship, including local production of recycled school bags that turn waste into employment, reflecting a vibrant push toward environmental sustainability and the mandatory community service for all scholarship recipients, reinforcing the message that with opportunity comes responsibility.
“These scholarships are not just about imbibing theories; they are about nation-building,” the President stated, noting, “They are about equipping Liberia to feed itself, heal itself, and power itself forward”, he told the gathering.
He made these remarsk when he officially launched the Presidential Vacation Enrichment Program and Community Service Projects at the Executive Pavilion in Monrovia.
Meanwhile, The program, themed “Learning is Leadership: Investing in Youth for Liberia’s 21st Century Transformation,” is a bold national initiative aimed at empowering young Liberians through education, innovation, and civic responsibility.
