26/03/2026
Recommendations from the Foya Alternative Youth, following the first phase of the Minister of Youth and Sport's tour, Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah
The Foya Alternative Youth, having closely followed the recent nationwide engagement and consultation spearheaded by the ministry, offers these suggestions to bolster youth development, inclusion, and empowerment throughout Liberia:
1. Decentralization of National Youth Programs for Rural Accessibility;
These include: (A) Youth Investment and Entrepreneurship Bank (MOCI)
(B) The National Youth Service Program
(C) The Youth Agriculture Training Program.
These programs will enhance the promotion of inclusive youth empowerment, economic participation, and sustainable rural development.
2. Establish District Youth Coordinators: We pray for the appointment of youth coordinators at the district level to improve service delivery efficiency and accountability, oversee implementation, monitor progress, and serve as direct liaisons between the MYS and local Youth population.
3. Equitable Distribution of Scholarship Opportunities at the District level:
We recommend the establishment of an equitable and competitive framework for the distribution of the recently announced 100 scholarships per county by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, ensuring fair allocation across all districts. This process should include transparent selection criteria, district-level slots, and inclusive outreach to guarantee that qualified young people in rural communities have equal access to these opportunities.
4. Establishment of a National Talent Hunt initiative – "Liberia Got Talent":
Create A national platform to identify and promote young talents in music, arts, sports, and innovation, providing them with the exposure and opportunities.
We propose that the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, should establish a nationwide talent identification and development program titled “Liberia Got Talent.” This initiative will serve as a structured platform to explore, nurture, and promote young talents across all counties and districts.
5. Private–Public Partnership & Infrastructure Reward System for Sports and Entertainment:
Create a system where private sector players (companies, brands, investors, banks) actively support sports and entertainment development through sponsorship deals, endorsement, ambassadorship, naming rights, and in return receive structured incentives and visibility.
6. Establish a National Youth Empowerment Fund Drive:
Establish a transparent, nationwide fundraising mechanism to support youth-led initiatives in Liberia.
The goal is to move young people from dependency to productivity.
7. Health, Mentorship, and Gender Equity:
The Government of Liberia should prioritize an integrated policy on health, mentorship, and gender equity to support young women of childbearing age, who constitute a huge portion of maternal health service users, as reflected in Liberia's clinic birth targets averaging 28 live births per month. This policy should strengthen maternal and child healthcare systems through improved infrastructure, skilled personnel, and accessible services, while also establishing structured mentorship programs that provide young mothers with guidance in education, parenting, and economic empowerment. Also, the government should ensure flexible education pathways, childcare support, and targeted scholarships to enable young mothers to balance school, work, and family life. Liberia can create a sustainable system that safeguards the health, dignity, and future potential of young women and their children.
8. Expansion of TVET Programs Nationwide: Technical and Vocational Education Training is essential to narrowing the unemployment and financial sustainability gap.
By expanding access, improving quality, and aligning training with labor market needs (such as ICT, agriculture, construction, and renewable energy), TVET can serve as a cornerstone for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, economic growth, and sustainable national development.
9. Identifying and Empowering Grassroots Youth–based organizations:
The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, should prioritize identifying and empowering grassroots youth-based organizations by implementing a decentralized framework that maps and verifies active youth groups at the district level, categorizes them for targeted interventions, and strengthens their capacity through structured training in leadership, governance, and financial management. This initiative should be complemented by the establishment of transparent district-level grant schemes, the provision of essential resources, the assurance of effective service delivery, and the inclusion of rural communities. This approach will build a sustainable network of empowered young leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, driving inclusive development and national growth.
10. Budgetary Support for the Foya Resource Youth Center:
The Government of Liberia, through the national budget and legislative appropriation, should allocate sustained and dedicated funding to the Foya Resource Youth Center to ensure its full operation, maintenance, and program delivery. As a government-initiated facility, the center must not remain a symbolic infrastructure project but should function as a vibrant hub for youth empowerment, skills development, digital learning, and community engagement. Accessible and Serviceable.
Note: The Foya Alternative Youth is passionate about youth empowerment, sustainability, and development. We also recognize the National Youth Policy Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals platforms.
We are committed to CONTRIBUTING to Sustainable Solutions rather than COMPLAINING. Definitely, we are leaving No One Behind.
Foya Alternative Youth,
Foya District, Lofa County.
