MONROVIA – In a major push to equip young Liberians with the tools to compete in a global knowledge-based economy, the administration of President Joseph Boakai has launched the National Intellectual Property High School Club Competition. The initiative, implemented by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Commerce, is a major step toward fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic self-sufficiency among Liberian youth.
This program aligns with Pillar Six of the government’s ARREST Agenda, which focuses on human capital development, ensuring that Liberian students can transform their ideas into economic assets. More than just an academic exercise, the competition introduces students to intellectual property (IP) rights, including copyrights, trademarks, and patents, preparing them to navigate and thrive in an increasingly innovation-driven world.
According to Samuel Toe, Deputy Minister for Planning, Research, and Development at the Ministry of Education, the competition will expose students to the legal and business aspects of IP, providing them with practical knowledge that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. Speaking on behalf of Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Minister Toe emphasized that by establishing IP clubs in schools and organizing this national competition, students will gain critical skills that can transform their creative ideas into economic opportunities.
Now in its second edition, the competition is expanding significantly. It will be implemented in 20 schools across Montserrado, Nimba, and Grand Bassa counties, benefiting over 400 students and 40 teachers. Fifteen high schools will compete in the national championship, while five legacy schools from Montserrado County will participate in a regional category. LIPO Director General Garmai Koboi underscored that this expansion ensures that IP education reaches beyond Monrovia, allowing students in rural and semi-urban areas to engage in a program that nurtures creativity and legal awareness.
“With this expansion, hundreds of Liberian youths will be introduced to the practical applications of IP, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the spirit of entrepreneurship,” Hon. Koboi stated. “When young people understand IP, they recognize the value of their own creativity. They learn that intellectual property protection is not merely a legal principle but a powerful tool for economic empowerment and national development.”
This year’s competition is themed “Create, Protect, and Empower,” emphasizing the crucial role of intellectual property in fostering economic growth and national development. The initiative follows a successful pilot phase in 2024, during which five schools participated, culminating in William V. S. Tubman School representing Liberia in Zimbabwe, where they secured third place.
With this expanded effort, the Boakai administration is sending a clear message: Liberia’s future lies in the hands of its young innovators, and empowering them with knowledge and legal protections is key to driving the country’s economic transformation.
