MONROVIA – The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) has officially transitioned to a new leadership era following the induction of Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah as Minister.
By: Christopher C.Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
Succeeding Cllr. Jerror Cole Bangalu, the incoming Minister wasted no time in setting a high-stakes tone for her tenure, warning staff that she has “zero tolerance” for disorganization and inefficiency.
The “Traditional” Succession
The turnover ceremony, held at the Ministry’s headquarters at the Samuel K Doe Sports complex, marked the second time Atty. Kruah has followed in Cllr. Bangalu’s footsteps.
She previously succeeded him as the Unity Party’s National Vice Chair for NEC and Inter-Party Affairs.
Addressing a packed room of supporters and Ministry staff, Atty. Kruah made it clear that her leadership would be defined by results rather than personal relationships.
“Don’t try to be my friend; do your work, and the relationship will be established,” she stated firmly.
As one of the youngest individuals to ever lead the Ministry, Kruah acknowledged the weight of public expectation.
She cautioned that any staff member perceived as a “stumbling block” to the Ministry’s progress would be removed in the interest of national development.
Demand for Reform Amid Budgetary Woes
While demanding high performance, the new Minister also acknowledged the systemic hurdles facing the MYS. She pointed to a “comparatively low” budget allocation that has left the Ministry struggling with logistical constraints and a lack of basic office equipment.
Despite the modest salaries of civil servants, Kruah insisted on punctuality and productivity.
However, she offered a carrot alongside the stick, pledging to lobby the Civil Service Agency (CSA) for better welfare and salary adjustments for those who prove their worth.
“We want to build a culture of hard work and delegation here,” she said, urging the Senior Management Team (SMT) toward greater transparency and interdepartmental coordination.
Bangalu’s Departure
Outgoing Minister Cllr. Jerror Cole Bangalu, who departs to lead the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), characterized his exit as one of fulfillment.
“I depart not with a sense of loss, but with fulfillment, confident that meaningful service has been rendered,” Bangalu told the audience.
He highlighted several key achievements during his brief but active tenure, including The development of a Five-Year Youth and Sports Strategic Plan, The graduation of the 13th and 18th cycles of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) and the Booker T. Washington Institute (BDI-DOTC) and The recruitment and training of 150 cadets under the National Cadet Program.
The Road Ahead
In his final act as Minister, Bangalu handed over a roadmap of “unfinished business” for his successor.
Chief among his recommendations was the need for the President to sign the TVET Commission Act into law and the urgent repeal of PRC Decree 35 through a new Ministry Act.
He also urged Atty. Kruah to prioritize the digitization of the Ministry’s systems and to begin the long-awaited construction of a permanent headquarters for the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The ceremony concluded with a call for unity, attended by various political party executives and government officials, signaling a high-pressure start for the Kruah administration as it seeks to navigate the intersection of youth empowerment and limited fiscal resources.
