Monrovia – The Executive Director of the President’s Young Professional Program (PYPP) Hh K. Zaizay says there is the need for more funding to expand the program in rural areas.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
PYPP is the most competitive initiative for youth’s capacity development for future leadership in the civil service.
It recruits, trains and prepares promising and talented Liberian college graduates for a future in the public service.
Zaizay, at the 8th mentors and supervisors’ orientation dinner held Friday, stressed that funding is the only hindrance to the expansion of the program.
“We are funded by private donors and foundations and the government just ended fiscal and this fiscal year give us 20 percent of our budget, but we are financially constrained. The most past of our problems is less funding because we want to expand the project to other counties,” he said.
“We recruit them for the two years fellowship, a laptop is provided, they received a gross salary of US$451 put them on health benefits and training for them for two years and after the two years the government absorb them and start paying them.”
He applauded the government for considering PYPP as a strategic partner in promoting good governance.
“We are building the society for Liberia and we are working to decentralize this project but we need funding.”
Anderson Flomo, one of the students, said the program is preparing him for greater opportunities.
“It will enhance my capacity because where I am assigned (Ministry of Health) it falls in line with my career (Student Doctor). My mentors and supervisors are gradually on the course of governance.”
The 22 members were inducted by Sonjai Reynolds-Cooper, who said the recruitment process was rigorous.
She recommitted USAID support to the program, adding that it will enhance the capacity of young Liberians.
The Secretary General of Alumni Association Togar Tarpeh congratulated Class 8 and urged them to continue to live by the ethics and standard of the program.
“You are lucky because you have had the number of classes before you and we encourage you to make use of the network as they mentor and supervise you,” he noted.
“You can get the best out of the PYPP if you provide the support, this is another day for success and young people can be brighter minds depending on the support.”