MONROVIA — The Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, has challenged organizers of the newly launched PeaceGen Project to create a platform that allows young Liberians to engage directly with President Joseph Boakai, describing such dialogue as critical to addressing the concerns, aspirations and future of the country’s youth.
By Patience M. Jones
Speaking Tuesday, June 23 as Chief Launcher of the PeaceGen Project at the Cape Hotel in Mamba Point, Monrovia, Barbu said sustainable peace can only be achieved when young people are actively included in national decision-making and given meaningful opportunities to shape Liberia’s future.
“I expect to see, or at least hear, that the PeaceGen Project brought together young people and the President of the Republic face-to-face,” Barbu said.
“Let them tell the President what they are going through, what they expect from his government, and what could make Liberia better,” he stated.
The PeaceGen Project, implemented by Kvinna till Kvinna (KTK), WONGOSOL and several local and international partners, seeks to promote peacebuilding, reconciliation, youth empowerment and social cohesion across Liberia.
Barbu described the initiative as a beacon of hope and an opportunity to nurture a generation committed to justice, accountability, tolerance and responsible citizenship.
“Peace and justice are not opposing ideals,” he said. “They are mutually reinforcing pillars of national stability.”
Drawing on his experiences as a student, Barbu recalled instances where presidential intervention resulted in immediate action on issues affecting students, arguing that Liberia’s governance system gives the presidency unmatched influence in addressing the needs of young people.
“When the President speaks, the nation moves,” he said.
“If the President says young people must be prioritized in the national budget, they will be prioritized. If he decides to meet young people every month, no one will stop that.”
He urged PeaceGen organizers to ensure that youth voices reach the highest levels of government rather than remaining confined to workshops and conferences.
Beyond youth participation, Barbu stressed the need to confront impunity, corruption, and governance failures as part of Liberia’s broader peacebuilding agenda.
“Investing in peace is not charity,” he said. “It is a national security imperative and a moral obligation. Every dollar spent on educating, mentoring, and empowering young people is an investment in preventing violence, promoting reconciliation, and safeguarding democracy.”
The OWECC-L Executive Director also called for greater investment in education, healthcare, psychosocial support and protection services for children and young people, warning that no peace agenda can succeed if their voices, needs and dreams are ignored.
Throughout his remarks, Barbu linked peacebuilding to justice, accountability, and the rule of law, noting that Liberia’s history demonstrates the importance of confronting impunity while strengthening democratic institutions.
“Together, let us secure justice and lasting peace for generations yet unborn,” he said. “Together, let us invest in our children and our youth.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Barbu officially launched the PeaceGen Project and pledged the full support of OWECC-L to the initiative. Representatives of the European Union, diplomatic missions, government ministries, civil society organizations, and PeaceGen partners joined him during the symbolic launch.
“I fully support this process,” Barbu declared. “I personally will ensure that I am visible in all that you do. We believe this project will impact Liberia in ways we have never known before.”
The launch brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society leaders, youth groups, and development partners united around the goal of promoting peace and empowering Liberia’s next generation of leaders.
