President Boakai Commits to Advancing Youth Agenda as Government Receives National Youth Manifesto Ahead of Liberia’s 179th Independence
Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting with young people at the Buchanan Fairgrounds on the eve of Liberia’s 179th Independence Day celebrations, President Boakai received a comprehensive National Youth Manifesto presented by the Youth Advisory Council. He described the engagement as a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between Government and Liberia’s youthful population.
The President said meaningful youth participation requires more than listening to concerns; it demands deliberate action to create opportunities that allow young Liberians to contribute meaningfully to national development. He noted that the establishment of the National Youth Council has broadened youth representation by creating a more inclusive platform through which youth organizations can engage Government and contribute to national decision-making.
President Boakai highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for young people through improved education, technical and vocational training, youth empowerment programs, efforts to combat substance abuse, and policies designed to prepare Liberia’s workforce for the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. While acknowledging that Government cannot resolve every challenge at once, he emphasized its determination to build sustainable pathways for youth employment, innovation, and productivity.
The Liberian leader also underscored the importance of investment and industrial growth in generating jobs, pointing to increased private sector participation in manufacturing, shipbuilding, agriculture, and other productive sectors as critical to expanding employment opportunities for young Liberians. He encouraged young people to remain committed to building Liberia and to take advantage of emerging opportunities at home rather than pursuing uncertain futures abroad.
Highlighting the transformative role of technology, President Boakai said his Administration is investing in digital transformation while working to ensure that Liberia’s education system equips young people with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the twenty-first century. He stressed that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies should be harnessed to drive innovation, improve productivity, strengthen food security, and create employment, while cautioning against their misuse.
The President assured participants that the National Youth Manifesto would receive careful consideration, noting that many of its recommendations are consistent with the Government’s ongoing priorities. He added that the Administration is working to sustain budgetary support for youth development while expanding access to quality education, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities across Liberia, including rural communities.
Presenting the National Youth Manifesto, Chairman of the Youth Advisory Council, Mandela Gbollie, called for increased Government investment in youth development through expanded budgetary support for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the construction and modernization of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in all fifteen counties, and greater access to inclusive education for young people living with disabilities. He said these investments would strengthen workforce development and equip young Liberians with practical skills for employment and self-reliance.
Mr. Gbollie also urged the Government to adopt policies that unlock economic opportunities for young people by commercializing Liberia’s creative industry, expanding support for youth entrepreneurship, and reforming the Youth Entrepreneurship Bank to remove barriers that limit access to financing. He recommended that the institution prioritize youth-led enterprises and increase youth representation in its governance to ensure that young entrepreneurs are better positioned to access loans, grants, and other forms of financial support.
The Youth Advisory Council further called for fiscal reforms that encourage youth-led businesses through startup tax incentives and a more enabling business environment. The Council maintained that empowering young people through education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and meaningful participation in governance is essential to accelerating Liberia’s economic transformation and securing a more prosperous future for generations to come.
