Accra, Ghana – As part of efforts to address Liberia’s growing youth unemployment crisis, Duku Jallah, Head of Secretariat of the Youth Legislative Caucus of the 55th National Legislature, has concluded a strategic study tour in Ghana aimed at learning from the Ghana’s successful Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-[email protected]
During the visit, Mr. Jallah held a series of high-level engagements with the leadership of YEA, including its Chief Executive Officer, Malik Basintale.
These discussions focused on understanding the structure, programs, and impact of Ghana’s YEA, which serves as a national vehicle for reducing unemployment through skills training, job placement, entrepreneurship support, and structured internships.
As a major outcome of the visit, a Liberia-Ghana Working Group has been established to support the drafting of a bill for the establishment of a National Youth Employment Agency in Liberia.
This agency will be a permanent institution dedicated to connecting young Liberians to job opportunities and economic empowerment.
The working group will be coordinated by Jallah and will include: Shadrach Awenpagrim Amok, Director of Special Duties and Initiatives, YEA Ghana, Habib Kipo, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, YEA Ghana, Steve Tequah, Chairperson, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Republic of Liberia, Anthony Williams, Co-chair, Youth Legislative Caucus, Republic of Liberia, Banica Elliott, President of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), and a member of the Presidential Youth Advisory Council.
The Ghanaian representatives will provide technical guidance to ensure that Liberia’s legislation reflects best practices and lessons learned from Ghana’s experience.
Williams, the Co-chair of Youth Legislative Caucus, Republic of Liberia is expected to officially introduce the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives in the coming weeks.
When setup, the proposed Youth Employment Agency of Liberia will serve as a national hub for youth job creation and skills development, provide career guidance, digital and vocational training, and apprenticeships, and connect young Liberians to internships and employment opportunities in public and private sectors.
The Youth Employment Agency of Liberia will also support youth-led businesses through incubation, finance, and mentorship, ensure systematic coordination of youth employment programs across government and private institutions.
“This agency is a commitment to institutionalizing support for young people and creating a sustainable, youth-led mechanism to address one of Liberia’s most urgent challenges which is unemployment,” Jallah said.
He added: “With over 70% of Liberia’s population under the age of 35, the unemployment crisis among youth is not only a development issue, it is a threat to peace and national stability.”
The establishment of a Youth Employment Agency, designed and driven by young people offers a transformative solution, he said.
According to Jallah, the initiative places young Liberians at the center of national development, turning them from economic dependents into nation-builders.
“This is not about creating another office. This is about creating hope, structure, and dignity for a generation that has been sidelined for too long,” said Jallah.
He added: “The agency we envision will be led by youth, for youth, and that makes all the difference.”
The initiative has been welcomed by youth stakeholders and national leaders alike and marks a significant shift toward institutional solutions for one of Liberia’s most pressing issues, he assured.
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