President Weah, Photo Credit: Executive Mansion Photo
Monrovia, Liberia – The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has launched a USAID-Sponsored Youth Empowerment Program, stating that he has had a special place in his heart for the youth of the country, an Executive Mansion press release said.
He said he holds youth so dearly to his heart not only because they represent the future of Liberia which he is committed to improve but also because the country’s young people do have explicit confidence and trust in him to transform Liberia.
In a special statement Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the launch of the USAID-Sponsored Youth Empowerment Program, the President said, “the launch of this Youth Advance Project today, which targets our young men and women who are striving daily to make ends meet, is an important milestone in our quest to achieve transformative change outcomes that have a positive impact on their lives and livelihood.”
The project is designed to directly benefit 21,000 youths in three counties, including Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Lofa for a five-year period. It is also intended to increase the self-reliance and resiliency of Liberian youth by empowering them with relevant skills, work experience opportunities, and support to enable them to become productively engaged in their local economies.
According to President Weah, the project is expected to have a significant impact on the youth empowerment policy of my Government, which is a fundamental pillar and objective of our national development plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
He expressed special appreciation to Liberia’s international partners who he said continue to demonstrate strong support and commitment to the youth development endeavors of Government.
He expressed particular gratitude to the Government and people of the United States represented by Ambassador Michael McCarthy for what he termed “the many positive and life-touching interventions which have been made across the country.”
The Liberian Chief Executive said to Amb. McCarthy: “On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, let me take this moment to thank you for the level of commitment shown toward supporting my Government’s agenda for fostering democratic governance, social stability, manpower development, economic progress and overall national recovery.”
President Weah indicated his Government was also grateful for the support being received from the United Nations and its relevant agencies in Liberia, as the Government ventures to address the situation of the At-Risk Youth and victims of drugs and substance abuse.
“In all of these phases of our national experience, youth empowerment and strategic engagement is critical,” he said further, averring that his Government would continue to remain engaged with all stakeholders in the youth space, including the youth themselves to achieve positive and sustainable improvement in their living conditions.
He encouraged the Ministry of Youth and Sports to continue to demonstrate its commitment to “fostering our transformative change vision, and to work in close collaboration with development and bilateral partners in the youth sector”.
“My government remains committed to giving all youth the opportunity to develop their potentials so that they will be able to compete in an enabling environment in this ever-changing world,” Dr. Weah said. “To you our young generation, I promise to prepare and empower you so that you can take your rightful place in Liberia.”
The Liberian leader also appealed to Liberian parents to encourage their children with special conditions to continue to strive for better lives through education.
He said being with special conditions does not amount to limiting oneself in society, stressing “you may be disabled, but you are not limited.”