By Contributor
MONROVIA — Liberia has launched a five-year, $15.4 million National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (NAP-YPS). This strategic initiative, running through 2029, is designed to empower the nation’s youth as active agents of change rather than passive recipients of aid.
The plan, unveiled by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Federation of Liberian Youth and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aligns Liberia with international mandates that recognize the vital role of young people in sustaining peace. It is built upon five core pillars: participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, and disengagement and reintegration.
A ‘Turning Point’ for Youth-Led Peace
Minister of Youth and Sports, Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, described the NAP-YPS as a turning point for youth-led peacebuilding. “We are not just fulfilling a global mandate,” Bangalu said. “This is a Liberian movement—a national commitment to ensure youth are seen not as passive recipients, but as active agents of change.” With nearly 75% of the country’s population under the age of 35, the plan provides a clear roadmap for equipping young people with opportunities while formally recognizing their leadership role in driving development.
Backing from the United Nations
Barrie Freeman, Deputy Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, lauded the plan as a model for the region. “We are committed to supporting the implementation of this initiative over the next five years,” Freeman stated, calling it a demonstration of how a nation can prioritize its youth in peacebuilding.
Government-Wide Commitment
Representing Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah emphasized that the plan reflects the government’s collective belief in the “power, potential, and promise” of its youth. “True peace and security cannot exist where young people are excluded,” she said, stressing that the NAP-YPS will provide young people with the necessary tools and space to succeed.
Dr. Jallah also linked the initiative to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.’s ARREST Agenda (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism), underscoring the need for coordinated action across all government ministries, civil society, and development partners to ensure its success.
Investing in a Peaceful Future
The $15.4 million plan aims to actively engage youth in governance, protect vulnerable young people from violence and exploitation, and support the reintegration of those affected by conflict. It also seeks to expand partnerships with the private sector to create jobs and opportunities.
For a nation still healing from years of conflict, this plan is more than just a policy document. As Minister Bangalu concluded, “This is about building peace that lasts because it is built with young people, not just for them.” The initiative represents a profound investment in Liberia’s future by empowering its largest and most dynamic demographic.
