By Amos Harris
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Deputy Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Bill McGill Jones has reaffirmed the importance of youth empowerment through practical skills development, urging young Liberians to embrace digital literacy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training as pathways to self-reliance, employment, and national growth.
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Speaking on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at a graduation ceremony in Gbarnga, Bong County, Minister Jones emphasized that equipping young people with practical knowledge is far more sustainable than fostering dependency through handouts.
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“We don’t need to give them fish all the time. Preparing them to know how to fish is the best opportunity because if we continue to give them handouts, they are not going to be independent,” Jones said, highlighting the vital need for self-driven empowerment.
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The ceremony celebrated 320 young people who successfully completed intensive training designed to elevate their digital capabilities and prepare them for an increasingly technology-driven global economy. The program aims to bridge the digital skills gap in Liberia while opening doors to entrepreneurship, job placement, and professional development.
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According to Jones, the initiative originally targeted 110 participants but expanded its intake to 370 following support from prominent figures, including Senator Prince Moye, Christopher Sankolo, and Martha T. C. Morris. Of the enrolled cohort, 320 students met all requirements to graduate, demonstrating strong commitment to building a foundation for their future careers.
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Jones stressed that the effort was not about individual benefactors, but about creating meaningful avenues for youth self-improvement. He noted that practical ICT skills render graduates more competitive, productive, and capable of driving their communities’ development agendas forward.
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Reaffirming his commitment to supporting future phases of the program, the deputy minister expressed optimism that ongoing partnerships will extend similar digital learning opportunities to youth across other regions of Liberia.
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He encouraged the graduates to serve as ambassadors of knowledge by sharing their skills with peers, families, and broader community networks. He further urged them to utilize the internet responsibly, embrace technological innovation, and apply their expertise toward productive economic ventures.
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Concluding his address, Minister Jones highlighted that young people remain the bedrock of Liberia’s future leadership. He stated that national development heavily relies on nurturing youth potential through targeted investments in education, technology, and vocational training, ultimately enabling them to participate actively in the modern economy.
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