Monrovia – The principal of the Booker T. Washington Institute (BWI), Attorney Harris Fomba Tarnue, has proffered to the incoming administration several recommendations on youth development and announced the introduction of additional programs and infrastructure improvement at the institution.
Atty Tarnue recommendations and announcement were made over the weekend in a statement he delivered on the institution’s campus in Kakata, Margibi County.
The BWI principal: “We acknowledge that we are in a critical period in Liberia – national political transition that is burdened with an economy under stress.
In the mist of such challenges that would face the incoming administration, all of us need to take practical steps in managing the expectations, especially our young people; and one of the surest ways to achieving this is by training and turning our young people into the future workforce required for nation-building.”
He admonished Liberians, irrespective of status, to remember that Liberia along with the rest of the global community is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.
“Each of the goals contains specific targets to be achieved over a period of 15 years. Specifically, SDG #4 seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
Target 4.4 of SDG #4 specifically states the need to “substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship by 2030,” Atty. Tarnue stated.
He, however, recounted that the Unity Party-led administration took significant actions in supporting the development of youth programs in technical, vocational and education training (TVET), and urged the incoming administration of President-elect George Manneh Weah to begin to appreciate the role and relevance of TVET institutions in ensuring peace and inclusive growth and youth development.
“We look forward to working together in rolling out strategies and programs to develop the talents of our young people to support economic growth and the country’s industrialization and the Booker Washington Institute is here to continue contributing to the “critical national challenges” as Liberia begins a new journey in its historic national transition with a popularly elected coalition government that has a rearranged national leadership line-up transitioning from Mrs. President and Mr. Vice President to Mr. President and Mrs. Vice President,” Atty. Tarnue stated.
Biomedical Technician Program
Atty Tarnue disclosed that the Biomedical Technician Program has been launched with the training of a small team of young graduates.
“This team led by our German TVET and Biomedical Technology expert has carried out repairs of medical equipment at a health center in Kakata, one at a clinic on Randall Street, Monrovia, and the institution is now in discussion with other health facilities across the country to provide repair services of their medical equipment.” Atty. Tarnue revealed.
He maintained that these services are forerunners to setting up a Biomedical Training Center at BWI in collaboration with the BWI Alumni Association of North America (BWIAANA), “as well as our national and international development partners.”
Additionally, Atty. Tarnue said with support from the government of Japan with UNIDO as implementing partner, the institution has launched new skill training program in Rubber Wood Furniture production in 2017 training 31 owners of carpentry shops from 15communities in Montserrado and Margibi Counties.
He made known that the program targets training a total of 120 young men and women in Rubber Wood Furniture production noting that the program intends preparing these young people for potential entrepreneurship in the carpentry industry.
Infrastructure Improvement
Atty. Tarnue said his administration has improved facilities at the former UNMIL Field Offices now hosting and actively being used as campus for the Post-Secondary and Professional Program constituting the Accelerated Vocational Training Program and National Diploma in Agriculture as well as other professional training programs.
He praised the faith-based charity organization, Living Water International (LWI) for the creation of a wholesome environment for the students and staff at the facility.
2017 BWI Alumni Association Convention in Dallas, Texas, USA
The BWI principal also said that as a result of the institute’s participation in the June-July 2017 Convention of the BWINAANA in Dallas, Texas, the USA, “significant efforts are underway to help with the development of our Alma Mater.”
The Convention approved US$30,000 for two specific projects, namely: The Biomedical Technician Training Program and The Food Hub project. Portion of this money, he said, has already been remitted to a firm in Washington D.C., “to undertake the construction of an irrigation system on our farm using Solar Energy Technology.”
Progress in 2017 Governance
The BWI Board of Governors, according to the institute’s principal, has continued its proactive and responsive stance on all matters regarding the operation and management of the institute.
“We are grateful to the leadership of the Board to include Chairman Jackson J. Paye and Vice Chairman Ezzat Eid, Chairman Emeritus Kenneth Y. Best and all other members for their commitment in providing guidance, policy direction and working to ensure the sustainability of the institute. In 2017 we completed compilation and printing of two very important policy documents for the institute.
These documents will enhance promotion, marketing and branding of the institute.”
2018 Target Activities to mitigate Challenges
He said despite the numerous challenges faced by the institution, his administration intends to endeavor to establish a model center of excellence at the institution (BWI), especially with finances from the national budget on the decline they are determined to search for means to mitigate these challenges.
He asserted that these challenges can be mitigated by increasing enterprise focusing on agriculture production, especially working with the BWIAANA on the Food Project to provide irrigation system driven by solar technology, expanding the institution’s rubber farm and farming in small ruminants (goats, rabbits, etc.); poultry farming, and continuous search for funding for the oil palm and cocoa farm projects, among others.
Report by Yawah Jaivey in Kakata, FPA Contributor