ROBERTSPORT, GRAND CAPE MOUNT CO., – Presidential Press Secretary Atty. Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana on Monday, May 5, 2025, delivered a stirring keynote address at the opening of the Youth Summit on the Revised National Youth Policy and Action Plan in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, urging Liberia’s leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to empower the nation’s youth.
Representing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Fofana underscored the administration’s belief that Liberia’s greatest resource lies not in its natural wealth but in the untapped talent, passion, and leadership potential of its young people. “A nation’s greatest wealth is not buried beneath its soil, but thrives in the hearts, minds, and talents of its young people,” she told an audience that included local officials, development partners, civil society representatives, and youth leaders from across the country.
The summit, themed “Vision to Action: A Youth Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Development,” marks a national effort to revise and implement a youth policy that is inclusive, forward-looking, and grounded in the real-life experiences of young Liberians. Fofana emphasized that the policy must do more than “check boxes or repeat promises,” but rather respond to the challenges and aspirations of young people from all corners of Liberia.
She highlighted pressing issues facing Liberian youth, including unemployment, limited access to education and vocational training, and the marginalization of young people with disabilities. Fofana called for investments that prepare young people for the 21st-century economy, particularly in agriculture, ICT, green energy, and public service, and challenged policymakers to ensure that youth are not merely invited to participate, but are empowered to lead.
“This moment challenges us to move beyond slogans. ‘Youth empowerment’ must no longer be a ceremonial phrase. It must become a structural commitment,” she said.
Fofana also praised young Liberians for their leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, their role in defending democracy, and their entrepreneurial contributions to national development. “This generation already is delivering,” she asserted. “But for this generation to rise to its fullest potential, the country must rise with it.”
She urged summit participants to ensure that the revised policy is not only visionary but also measurable, inclusive, and aligned with national and international frameworks, including Liberia’s ARREST Agenda, the African Youth Charter, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Acknowledging the support of international partners such as UNFPA, UN Women, and ActionAid, Fofana stressed the importance of youth inclusion in monitoring and implementing the policy. She concluded her address with a call to action: “Do not wait for permission to lead… organize, mobilize, innovate… and be ready to lead with integrity.”
