Africa-Press – Liberia. Appearing before the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports on Monday, February 9, 2026, Minister-designate Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah laid out an ambitious, systems-driven agenda, signaling a departure from “fragmented programming” toward a long-term development architecture for Liberia’s youth.
The 35-year-old nominee, if confirmed, would be one of the youngest members of the Cabinet.
However, Kruah urged lawmakers to judge her by her administrative track record rather than her age, positioning herself as a reform-minded leader ready to tackle the challenges facing the 75 percent of Liberians under the age of 35.
“Youth development is no longer a supporting function of the Ministry,” Kruah told the committee. “It must become its central purpose.”
From Programs to Pathways
At the heart of Kruah’s presentation was the concept of “Pathways” a move to link education, vocational training, and employment into a single national framework.
She criticized the historical trend of treating youth as “future leaders,” arguing instead for their recognition as present-day economic actors.
She proposed the creation of a Youth Outcome Compact, which would see the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) collaborate with the Ministries of Education, Labor, Finance, and Commerce.
The goal, she noted, is to move beyond mere enrollment figures in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and focus on job placement and completion rates.
Sports as an Economic Engine
Addressing the sports sector, the nominee pledged to shift the focus from “events and competitions” to a structured system for talent development.
Kruah emphasized that the annual National County Meet should serve as more than a tournament; it should be a platform for reconciliation and a systematic pipeline for talent identification.
Legislative Overhaul
In what could be the most significant structural change in decades, Kruah signaled her intention to champion a review of the 1982 Act that established the Ministry.
She argued that the current law is a relic that does not reflect Liberia’s modern demographic realities.
One proposal floated during the hearing included exploring the separation of the youth and sports portfolios potentially creating a Ministry of Youth, Innovation, and Technology while allowing sports to function as an independent driver of national development.
Deflecting Nepotism, Emphasizing Competence
Addressing public discourse regarding her family background, Kruah remained firm, stating that while opportunities may have opened doors, her “competence and discipline” sustained her progress through previous roles at the Ministry of State, Ministry of Education, and Public Works.
“The pathways that existed for me are missing for hundreds of thousands of young Liberians,” she told the Senators. “That is why I am committed to building them.”
The Five Pillars
Kruah’s vision for the MYS rests on five strategic pillars designed to turn Liberia’s “youth bulge” into an economic dividend Governance Alignment which she see as Synergizing youth policy across government agencie, Development Ecosystems to Build sustainable paths from training to the workforce, Sports for Development wants to Professionalize the industry to create career pathways. Also, he hopes to have Innovative Financing that will Seek new resource streams beyond the national budget and a Research-Driven Policy that would utilize data to inform decision-making.
As the Senate Committee concludes its deliberations, the confirmation of Cornelia Kruah will likely depend on whether lawmakers are ready to embrace her proposed “structural shift” from a ministry of promise to a ministry of performance.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
