By: Trokon S. Wrepue
President Joseph Boakai, pledged to place the country’s youth at the very center of its development agenda. Speaking before hundreds of young people at a charged Town Hall Meeting on the eve of Liberia’s 179th Independence Day celebrations, Boakai declared that the voices of Liberia’s rising generation will no longer be sidelined but will actively shape government policy and national priorities.
The event, held at the Buchanan Fairgrounds, marked a historic moment as the Youth Advisory Council formally presented the National Youth Manifesto to the President. Boakai hailed the document as a landmark step toward deepening collaboration between government and the country’s youthful population, insisting that youth participation must move beyond symbolic listening sessions to concrete action.
“Our commitment is not only to hear your concerns but to ensure that your ideas and aspirations help shape the future of our country,” Boakai asserted, underscoring that the newly established National Youth Council offers an inclusive platform for young voices to influence national decision-making.
Boakai outlined sweeping initiatives designed to transform the lives of young Liberians: expanded access to quality education, technical and vocational training, empowerment programs, and aggressive measures to combat substance abuse. He emphasized that preparing Liberia’s workforce for the demands of a competitive global economy is a central priority. While acknowledging that challenges cannot be solved overnight, he assured participants that his administration is focused on building sustainable pathways for employment, innovation, and productivity.
The President spotlighted private sector investment and industrialization as critical drivers of youth employment, citing opportunities in manufacturing, shipbuilding, agriculture, and other productive sectors. He urged young Liberians to channel their talents into building their own country rather than chasing uncertain prospects abroad.
Boakai also turned attention to technology, revealing that his administration is investing heavily in Liberia’s digital transformation. He stressed the importance of equipping young people with 21st century skills, encouraging responsible use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to boost productivity, strengthen food security, and generate jobs—while warning against misuse of digital tools.
Receiving the National Youth Manifesto, Boakai assured that its recommendations would be carefully reviewed, noting that many align with existing government priorities. He pledged continued budgetary support for youth development and vowed to expand access to education, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities across Liberia, including rural communities.
Earlier, Youth Advisory Council Chairman Mandela Gbollie presented the manifesto, calling for increased government investment in youth development through enhanced funding for the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the modernization of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in all fifteen counties. Gbollie pressed for inclusive education for young people living with disabilities and greater investment in skills development to prepare youth for employment and self-reliance.
The Council further demanded policies to unlock opportunities for young entrepreneurs by commercializing Liberia’s creative industry, expanding support for youth owned businesses, and reforming the Youth Entrepreneurship Bank to eliminate financing barriers. Recommendations included startup tax incentives, fiscal reforms, and increased youth representation in the governance of the bank.
For both the President and the Council, the message was clear: empowering Liberia’s youth through education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and meaningful participation in governance is not optional—it is the key to accelerating economic transformation and securing a prosperous future for generations to come.
