MONROVIA – The Liberian Learning Center, overseen by the Canadian charity Empowerment Squared and founded by its Executive Director, Leo Nupolu Johnson, is comprised of three facilities. These centers are strategically designed to reshape the educational landscape of Liberia, particularly in Paynesville, aiming to provide access to a diverse range of learning resources for over 250,000 community members. The center has recently been officially dedicated.
By Francis G. Boayue
The Liberian Learning Center was officially dedicated on Friday, February 23, 2024, with a dedicatory service held at the Effort Baptist Church directly adjacent to the Paynesville City Hall where the center is being built.
The center, built in multiple phases on the site of Paynesville City Hall, is expected to include Liberia’s first postwar comprehensive learning center and library, co-working and business incubation spaces, sports and recreation facilities, and event facilities.
Mr. Leo Johnson, giving the background of the project, said the center is a collaborative project led by Canadian charity Empowerment Squared in partnership with Rotary International, Rotary Club of Hamilton, Rotary Club of Monrovia, Paynesville City Corporation, McCallum Sather, and Hamilton Public Library, and Tri Buchanan Development Corp.
“A few years ago, I sat down with a plan to build a state-of-the-art multipurpose educational facility to inspire and support the local development of Liberia as a cornerstone of Paynesville and give back to my country (Liberia). I’m glad to be doing this back home in Liberia where I feel at peace and enjoy every benefit of returning home as a Liberian and returning a Liberian dream. Today I’m also pleased to recognize a few personalities including the outgoing Paynesville City Mayor for their enormous contributions towards making this dream a reality,” Mr. Johnson said.
The dedication program was graced by His Excellency, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and his wife, and several other National and International dignitaries in attendance at the dedicational ceremony.
President Boakai in remarks appreciated Empowerment Square and its partners for their contribution to human capacity building by opening Liberia’s first public resources center for Liberian students.
“This Learning center is a clear demonstration of what we should do by all Liberians- looking after each other. This learning center indeed will open up many opportunities for several young people and even the elderly wanting to spend quality time enhancing their capacity. I want to assure you all that this investment won’t go unnoticed as we assure our support in the lives of the youthful generation of Liberia,” President Boakai asserted.