Monrovia– The Minister of Youth and Sports, Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, has begun the second phase of her county tour, covering Bomi, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland and River Gee Counties.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh [email protected]
Appointed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and confirmed by the Liberian Senate, the 35-year-old minister is traveling across the country to assess first hand the challenges facing young people.
Speaking over the weekend on Radio Bomi, Minister Kruah emphasized that young people must now take responsibility for addressing their own challenges.
“Young people are fast mover and I think that is one of the reasons the President has decided to take our own kanyah (problem) and put it in our hands. He says that is your problem, your fix it,” Minister Kruah said.
She stressed that her performance in office is directly tied to the success of Liberia’s youth population.
“I’m well aware that if I fail, I would have failed a large population,” the Minister of Youth and Sports said.
Highlighting demographic realities, she underscored the urgency of her mission: “Statistics show that 35 and below will take about 70 percent of our population and I don’t want to fail that entire population that is why we are intentional about delivering on the ARREST Agenda for the young people and we are not waiting an long time to before implementing.”
Minister Kruah reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young women, particularly through technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Speaking during an engagement on Friday at the Gbah Intellectual Center, she revealed plans for a regional TVET initiative aimed at equipping girls with practical, income-generating skills.
The announcement followed concerns raised by local residents, especially women, about limited access to training opportunities and increasing social vulnerability among girls.
Comfort Kpannah, a resident of Gbah, spoke about the pressing need for structured opportunities for young women.
“The lack of structured opportunities, including access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET), has left many girls vulnerable to social pressures and economic hardship,” she furthered.
She also warned of the consequences of inaction: “Without practical skills, young women remain exposed to cycles of poverty and early motherhood,” urging the Ministry to prioritize TVET programs in the region.
Residents also raised concerns about teenage pregnancy, which they say continues to derail the education and future prospects of many underage girls.
In response, Minister Kruah announced 20 scholarships for young women to enroll at the Business and Domestic Occupational Training Center (BDOTC).
The package will cover tuition and essential learning materials. She advised youth leaders to prioritize applicants who already have accommodation arrangements in Monrovia, noting that housing is not included in the scholarship.
The Minister also committed to launching a county-based girls’ empowerment program in Bomi, aimed at keeping girls focused and productive.
As part of her tour, she held engagements in Tubmanburg, encouraging young people to become responsible and productive citizens.
She also visited key training institutions, including like the Klay Agricultural Vocational Training Center and proposes a public private partnership to rehabilitate vocational training institution to meet the full demand for the young people of the region.
Also, she visited the Julijuah Vocational Training Center. At the Julijuah Vocational Training Center, Minister Kruah inspired kids with a message of opportunity and growth adding that her leadership is committed to creating opportunities for teens to discover the true meaning of themselves.
The ongoing engagements form part of Phase II of the Ministry’s nationwide county tour, which aims to strengthen youth development and expand access to opportunities across Liberia.
