Africa-Press – Liberia. The President of the Republic of Liberia George Manneh Weah, has vowed with commitment, to continue to empower the youthful population of Liberia during his administration.
He said young people are so dear to his heart because they represent the future of Liberia, adding that he is committed to improving the country’s youth population who he said have explicit confidence and trust in him to transform the country.
“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,” President Weah stated.
Speaking in Monrovia on Thursday at the launch of the USAID-Sponsored Youth Empowerment Program, the President said, the launch of the Youth Advance Project is expected to have a significant impact on the youth empowerment policy of his Government, which is a fundamental pillar and objective of the national development plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
According to Pres. Weah, the project seeks to target young men and women who are striving daily to make ends meet, stating that it is an essential milestone in their quest to achieve transformative change outcomes that have a positive impact on their lives and livelihood.
President Weah, who served as Chief Launcher of the USAID-Sponsored Youth Empowerment Program, promised to prepare and empower Liberian youth so that they can take their rightful place in Liberia and generations to come.
The project is designed to directly benefit 21,000 youths in three counties, including Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Lofa over 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.
The Liberian Leader expressed gratitude to the Government and people of the United States represented by Ambassador Michael McCarthy for the many positive and life-touching interventions which they have done in the country.
“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.”
The Liberian Leader pointed out that his Government remains 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, and this 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 narrated.
The Chief Executive, however, called on Liberian parents to encourage their children with special conditions to continue to strive for better lives through education, stating that being with special conditions does not amount to limiting oneself in society, “you may be disabled, but you are not limited.”
For his part, the Minister of Youth and Sport D. Zeogar Wilson said the occasion speaks loudly and echoes the quality of relationship subsisting between the United States of America and Liberia.
He explained that the youth advance Project (YAP) funded by USAID could not have been possible if H.E. Dr. George M. Weah wasn’t at his best in handling the traditional tie of friendship.
“Your Excellency, the cooperation between the Ministry and USAID is cordial, strong and promising, and it is pleasing to underscore that YAP is a smart strategy to impact 21, 000 of our young women and men that are active in the informal sector.
The beneficiary counties, he said, include: Montserrado, Lofa and Grand Bassa, stating that it is designed to empower and support young people by strengthening basic education and foundational skills for improved livelihood.
Min. Wilson at the same time noted that the project is expected to draw-down on youth employment statistics, adding that it will also serve as a mitigating platform to impact social instability and promote national security.
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