By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The Port Manager of Roberts International Airport, James Mulbah, has delivered a powerful and forward-looking message to graduates of the Liberia Aviation Training Institute, urging them to become entrepreneurs and innovators capable of transforming the country’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the institute’s graduation ceremony, Mulbah challenged the new graduates to rethink their career paths and embrace a broader national responsibility beyond seeking employment.
“Liberia does not just need aviation workers,” he declared. “Liberia needs aviation builders.”Addressing an audience of faculty members, parents, and invited guests, Mulbah emphasized that education, rooted in the Latin word educo, meaning “to lead out”, should inspire graduates to unlock their potential and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
He praised the graduates for completing rigorous training in areas such as customer service, airport operations, safety procedures, and weight and balance, but stressed that these skills should be viewed as foundations for entrepreneurship rather than mere job qualifications.
According to the RIA Port Manager, Liberia’s aviation industry remains largely underdeveloped, presenting vast opportunities for innovation, particularly at Roberts International Airport, the country’s main international gateway.
“Where others see limitations, entrepreneurs see opportunity,” Mulbah noted, pointing to inefficiencies in logistics, gaps in customer service delivery, and the underutilization of technology as key areas where young professionals can make a difference.
He outlined several potential business ventures for graduates, including airport assistance services for elderly and VIP passengers, travel advisory and ticketing services, cargo and freight coordination, and aviation training and consulting enterprises.
The RIA Port Manager further stressed that Liberia’s import and export systems require greater efficiency, adding that graduates are well-positioned to introduce solutions that can enhance operations and improve service delivery across the aviation value chain.
Drawing on global examples, he referenced how entrepreneurs in other regions have successfully used drone technology and innovative service models to address infrastructure challenges, urging Liberian graduates to adopt similar problem-solving approaches.
“You may not have capital or connections yet,” he told the graduates, “but you have knowledge, energy, time, and access to an emerging industry. Start where you are.”
Mulbah also highlighted the importance of core values such as discipline, integrity, innovation, resilience, and vision, describing them as essential traits for success in both aviation and entrepreneurship.
He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Government of Liberia to reform the aviation sector, noting that such initiatives signal a commitment to building a more structured, efficient, and sustainable industry.“This is the time to act,” Mulbah urged.
“Do not just aim to work in aviation, aim to transform it.” The ceremony ended on a celebratory note, with graduates expressing renewed motivation and a strong sense of purpose as they prepare to enter the workforce and contribute to national development.
The remarks of RIA Port Manager James K. Mulbah come at a critical time as Liberia seeks to modernize its aviation infrastructure and expand opportunities within the sector, with young professionals expected to play a central role in shaping its future.
