Africa-Press – Liberia. Graduates of the President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) have been urged to pursue career development as means to advance professionally.
Dr. Musa Dukuly, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), who served as a keynote speaker of the recent graduation program of the PYYPP, said this will enhance the abilities of the 63 graduates.“It also helps to put you on the path that will enable you to engage in an open conversation on issues of importance. The career development path is a game changer that is helping to change dreams into reality,” he said.
“Hence that is why this PYPP program is relevant. It has provided that opportunity for our young people to be able to improve their knowledge and skills to go into the public and private sector and optimize their potential.”
Dukuly spoke on August 12, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex Conference. The graduation exercise was under the theme “Building the Next Generation of Liberia’s Leaders” in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency.
The guest speaker spoke on the topic, “Leveraging the opportunity to career path, practical experiences, skills development, and networking. The PYPP is a program that supports the country’s effort for a stronger and more responsive workforce to enhance better service delivery, accountability, and transparency through leadership and training opportunities for young talented Liberians. Each cohort runs for two years.
Since its inception in 2009, the program has recruited, placed, and mentored over 180 young professionals across more than 25 government ministries and agencies.
Dukuly cautioned the graduates that for them to be prepared for the job market, they must be able to use their practical knowledge in communication, multitasking, and learning to deal with diversity.
“My topic seeks to answer three fundamental questions today, what are the practical experiences to career development, what skills to acquire, and does networking matter,” Dukuly said. The PYPP is in partnership with the Civil Service Agency. Those recruited into the program are placed at different government ministries and agencies and monitored by assigned mentors and supervisors.
During the ceremony, mentors, supervisors, alumni, and graduates were allowed to give testimonies of how the program has continually impacted their lives professionally.
Dr. Francis Kateh, Liberia’s Chief Medical Office, who has served as a mentor to many PYPP graduates, congratulated them and encouraged them to continue to explore and make Liberia proud.
T. Nelson Williams, CEO of CONEX Oil, and Gas said the private sector has not been benefiting from the PYPP program, “so he decided to incorporate his company and Cemenco, which are now benefiting.”
“My testimonial is directed with one of our PYP graduates. This young man is the first to come into the office and the last to leave. When he’s leaving, he stops by every office to see if there’s anything else to do,” Williams said.
He encouraged the graduates to always exhibit a good attitude, and be mindful of how to approach life and how to professionally execute their work.
“When 64 candidates are applying for a job. Think about what you will bring to the table that will give you a competitive edge over the next person for that job,” Williams added.
Atty. Christine Tenneh Dono, one of the graduates, narrated that her journey to becoming a PYP has been of growth, development, and aspirations. “As a college student, I was involved in student leadership and community service. But with a growing interest in becoming a public servant, I was inspired by seeing various graduates placed at various ministries and agencies through the PYPP program and soon started daydreaming of seeing myself in a similar position.”
USAID Mission Director Jim Wright congratulated the graduates for their accomplishments in completing two years of service. “We commend and thank you for the discipline you have demonstrated during your fellowship. Other bright and young Liberians are even following in your footsteps. We are very pleased with the government’s long-term goals to support the PYP Program since 2009.” D. Zeogar Wilson, Minister of Youth and Sports, reaffirmed President George Manneh Weah’s uncompromising commitment to not only sustain the program but to reach with more innovative and creative programs of his predecessors in the context of continuity and consistency. “The PYP has become an intercultural path of our public sector. This program has made tremendous impacts in our public sector.”
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