MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. D. Zeogar Wilson, has vowed its commitment to working with the young people of the country in ensuring that youth development is achieved.
Min. Wilson said the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), will support every endeavor of youth aimed at promoting development as contained in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
The MoYS boss was speaking Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the validation of the National Youth Policy (NYP).
The NYP is in accordance with the African Youth Charter and is geared to support long-term development of the young people of Liberia.
“Government will work with the young people by playing its part of what the young people have put together,” Min. Wilson stated.
However, the Youth and Sports Minister wants all youth play their role to ensure that what is contained in the document is implemented.
“We must freely participate in the implementation of this document by holding our leaders accountable. This is a call that we must all achieve together,” he told the gathering.
Min. Wilson pointed out that the validation of the youth policy document is a clear manifestation of President George Manneh Weah’s commitment to the development of Liberian youth as contained in his inaugural address and captured in the PAPD.
“In order to promote peace and enhance social cohesion and set the foundation of this country on the path of strong and inclusive development, it is important that we give adequate focus to the affairs of the youth of this country, and so as it is the interest of our President,” the Minister noted.
Mr. Isaac Doe, Deputy Minister for Youth Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, recalled that the validation of the policy began few months back with a regional consultation spearheaded by leading youth organizations including the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Liberia National Students Union (LINSU), and Mano River Youth Parliament among others.
“The consultation divided Liberia into four regions with FLY, LINSU, YMCA, YWCA and others leading the regional consultation. We listened to what the young people said and found common ground, so that a policy document is derived,” Doe indicated.
“So, this policy encompasses what the young people told us and what the government and partners agreed upon to be enshrined into the document,” he added.
Mr. Sam E. Hare, former Deputy Minister for Youth Development and Consultant on the formulation of the policy document, urged government and partners to ensure that the programs and actions of the policy benefit the most vulnerable youth in society.
“This policy should leave no youth behind in its implementation. It must have the pro-poor lenses so that no youth is left behind,” the former government official among other things added.