MONROVIA – Minister of Youth and Sports, Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, has presented her first 100-day performance report since assuming office on February 23 and in that she has unveiled what stands out to be a very robust and an ambitious reform agenda with the aim of transforming youth development across the country.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
Presenting her deliverables of the last century of days at a news conference held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, Minister Kruah pointed out that the greatest challenge facing Liberia is not the lack of youthful potential but the failure of institutions designed to support it.
Minister Kruah at the well-attended news conference outlined a roadmap intended to reposition youth and sports development a driver of national development, despite the Ministry being countered with years of neglect, weak infrastructure, dormant programs, and inadequate systems,
“I found two Liberias existing at the same time; one filled with talented, ambitious young people eager for opportunities, and another defined by broken systems, abandoned facilities, and limited pathways to success,” stated the MYS boss.
The Minister’s assessment followed a nationwide tour of all 15 counties between March and April, during which time she and her team engaged young people, local authorities, and community stakeholders.
According to her, the findings revealed a troubling disconnect between the aspirations of Liberia’s youth and the government’s ability to provide meaningful opportunities.
Among the challenges identified were youth centers that are no longer functional, technical and vocational institutions closed since 2017, deteriorating sports facilities, weak grassroots sports structures, and limited employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
In response, these downfalls, she disclosed that the Ministry has embarked on what she described as a “systemic institutional overhaul.”
As part of the interventions, more than 50 critical positions have been filled or restructured across departments responsible for monitoring and evaluation, procurement, decentralization, finance, revenue generation, and youth employment.
At the same time, new leadership has also been appointed to oversee gender and social inclusion programs, including services targeting persons with disabilities and marginalized groups.
The Minister notified the public through the media that the Ministry has further introduced reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability, stating that a dedicated revenue department has been established to track internally generated funds, procurement systems strengthened, and efforts are underway to digitize operations across 19 departments and five vocational institutions.
For the first time, she revealed that organizations receiving government grants through the Ministry will be required to allocate 60 percent of funding to program implementation and no more than 40 percent to administrative expenses.
With approximately 75 percent of Liberia’s population under the age of 35, Minister Kruah described youth empowerment as a national development priority.
Under the government’s ARREST Agenda, she explained that the Ministry has activated five flagship youth development programs during the reporting period, including vocational training, literacy initiatives, scholarship opportunities, employment programs, peacebuilding interventions, and small-scale grant support.
The National Youth Pathways Program, funded with US$4 million by the Government of Liberia, Atty. Kruah informed Liberians, is expected to reach tens of thousands of young people through various interventions.
In furtherance, the Minister indicated that additional support from partners including UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Luminous Fund is already engaging nearly 8,000 young people, with plans to expand services to approximately 50,000 beneficiaries over the next year.
The Minister disclosed that more than 3,700 applications have already been received for the National Cadet Program, with deployments currently underway across all 15 counties.
One of the report’s most significant revelations concerned the absence of drug rehabilitation services in southeastern Liberia.
Atty. Kruah said assessments conducted during the county tour found no formal rehabilitation facilities in the region, leaving affected youth dependent on family and church-based interventions, adding, “It is not good enough.”
The Minister, in a bid to revert such ugly scenario, the Ministry’s commitment to pursuing structural interventions to address substance abuse among young people.
Technical and vocational education emerged as a central pillar of the Ministry’s development strategy.
She further disclosed the re-launched a renowned vocational training center, recruitment of 17 additional instructors, procurement of training materials and uniforms for students, and increment of instructors’ salaries by US$100 per month and a further commitment to provide 1,000 scholarships nationwide, including an initial 200 scholarships targeting commercial motorcyclists.
In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has secured an US$800,000 agreement to expand agricultural skills training, solar installation programs, and entrepreneurship education for young people.
The Tumutu Agricultural Training Center, which has remained closed since 2017, she stated, is expected to reopen this month, while refurbishment plans are underway for other dormant institutions across the country.
On the sports front, the Minister reported progress in stabilizing governance within the Liberia Football Association or LFA following months of electoral tensions.
She recalled mediation efforts facilitated by the Ministry that culminated in a peaceful congress and the election of a new leadership team.
The report also highlighted several international sporting achievements, including the national Under-20 women’s team’s runner-up finish at the West African Football Union (WAFU) tournament and strong performances by Liberian athletes in regional competitions.
Infrastructure development remains a major focus, with renovation work underway at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex and Antoinette Tubman Stadium, a new stadium project planned for Barclayville, and discussions ongoing regarding larger national sports infrastructure investments.
Beyond domestic reforms, she maintained that Ministry is aggressively pursuing international partnerships.
Minister explained that discussions are advancing with the Real Madrid Foundation to establish educational football and social sports programs in Liberia, while additional cooperation agreements are being negotiated with French sports institutions following engagements held under the Liberia-France bilateral cooperation framework.
The Ministry has also deepened collaboration with the United Nations and the World Bank, securing support for youth development, social protection, and peacebuilding initiatives.
According to the Minister, the development financing portfolio currently being assembled with international partners exceeds US$20 million and could significantly expand opportunities for Liberian youth.
Despite the progress reported, Kruah acknowledged that major challenges remain.
She cited deteriorating infrastructure, insufficient transportation, weak county-level operational capacity, inadequate staff compensation, and the absence of a standalone ministry headquarters as key obstacles to long-term success.
The Ministry’s financial management systems also remain largely manual, prompting plans to acquire an integrated computerized accounting platform to improve accountability and strengthen internal controls.
“Our buildings leak. Our facilities need renovation. We lack adequate logistics and technology. Staff salaries do not reflect the demands being placed on them. But these are not excuses. They are realities we must confront if we are serious about reform.”
As her administration moves beyond its first 100 days, the Minister says the focus will remain on building sustainable pathways that connect young Liberians to education, employment, entrepreneurship, sports and national development.
