By Amara Konneh
MONROVIA — The Government of Liberia in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone have agreed on framework document aim at strengthening regional cooperation on youth development, empowerment, peacebuilding for young people in the interest of upholding a long lasting bilateral and cordial relationship within the region.
According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports statement dated June 9, 2026, the two neighboring countries held a fruitful discussion at the Ministry of Youth Sports Headquarters as the Minister Cornelia Kruah highlights Liberia’s ongoing efforts to decentralize youth services and expand opportunities through initiatives aligned with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda.
The partnership and cooperation for youth development and empowerment with her counterpart will be an additional boast of the plans and steps taken the Ministry of Youth and Sports have already taken since the ascendancy of the new administration as she discloses the ministry’s developmental initiatives on key national programs.
Including the renovation of youth centers across all fifteen counties, the expansion of the National Cadet Program, the establishment of county-based digital hubs, and plans to produce Liberia’s first annual State of the Youth Report.
Minister said as national leaders, it is their responsibility design and initiates program beyond territorial surroundings and borders for youth development and empowerment in upholding regional cooperation and collaboration because the success of their work will not only benefit young people but also demonstrate their capacities to lead and govern effectively.
Making his contribution in bilateral discussions as representative of the Sierra Leone Government as Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh discussed shared priorities, exchanged best practices, and identified strategic areas for collaboration aimed at improving opportunities for young people across the Mano River Union region in promoting regional cooperation and partnership.
The Sierra Leone Counterpart shared his government’s experiences in implementing innovative youth-focused programs, including a nationwide electric vehicle initiative, youth agricultural projects, technical skills development programs, and the establishment of a decentralized National Youth Council structure that ensures grassroots youth participation in governance and development.
He maintained that the importance of strengthening regional partnerships and cooperation in regards to their fruitful meeting, is a demonstration of both countries’ shared commitment to empowering the next generation of young people.
The MYS Statement further indicated that both ministers agreed to pursue a number of collaborative initiatives, including annual exchanges of youth development reports, study tours on youth governance systems, knowledge sharing on youth service and employment programs, cooperation in digital skills development and agriculture, and joint advocacy on Youth, Peace and Security.
Minister Kruah also confirms Liberia participation in the inaugural Mano River Youth Connect, scheduled to be hosted in Freetown, Sierra Leone will bring together young leaders from across the region to engage on youth empowerment, peace and security, climate action, and cultural exchange while Liberia is expected to host the forum in 2027 as part of a rotational arrangement among Mano River Union member states.
Meanwhile, the ministers further agreed to designate focal persons to coordinate bilateral engagements and explore the development of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to institutionalize cooperation between the two countries and reaffirming their commitment to a sustained, people-centered partnership that advances opportunities for young people and strengthens regional integration across the Mano River Union.
AK