GBARNGA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai delivered a passionate and forward-looking convocation address on Saturday, July 19, 2025, during the 4th Graduation Ceremony of Bong County Technical College (BCTC), calling on graduates to use their education as a force for national transformation.
Speaking to graduates, faculty, government officials, traditional leaders, and well-wishers in Gbarnga City, the Liberian leader described the event as a moment of triumph not just for the graduates but for the nation. He praised the resilience of the college and its leadership in overcoming years of challenges ranging from leadership instability and student unrest to infrastructure and accreditation difficulties.
“The journey of Bong County Technical College since its founding in 2010 has not been an easy one. There were moments when the future of this College was uncertain. But look at us now,” President Boakai declared, hailing the steady leadership of Dr. Alfredson W. Taikerweyah and his team for steering the institution to a path of progress.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy, noting that Liberia cannot afford to lag behind in science, technology, engineering, and innovation. He emphasized the urgency of advancing technical education, stating that such fields are no longer optional but critical for Liberia’s development.
Boakai highlighted the pivotal role of institutions like BCTC in achieving the goals outlined in his ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism. He pointed to the vital contributions that graduates can make in areas such as climate-smart infrastructure, energy systems, digitized services, and food security.
“We must act now, not tomorrow,” Boakai urged. “Our country remains behind in the tech space. That vision depends heavily on institutions like BCTC and graduates like you with the knowledge, skills, and innovation capacity.”
He also stressed the importance of decentralizing education and economic opportunity, asserting that Liberia’s rural communities must not be left behind. “Let Bong County Technical College be a model of how rural Liberia can lead, not lag behind,” the President said, calling for continued investment in education beyond Monrovia.
In a direct appeal to the graduates, Boakai challenged them to rise to the occasion and be agents of transformation. “Your country is calling on you to lead with integrity, courage, and imagination. Use your skills not just for personal success, but to serve your nation,” he said.
He reminded the graduates that their education is both a privilege and a duty, and urged them to uphold national pride and remain committed to lifelong learning. “You are carrying the hopes of your family, the pride of your community, and the expectations of a nation,” Boakai said.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, the President closed his address by reminding the class that “education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world.” He called on them to use that tool to uplift Liberia and build a strong middle class rooted in skills and service.
“Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia,” President Boakai concluded, offering his congratulations to the Class of 2025 and reaffirming his government’s dedication to empowering Liberia’s youth through inclusive, quality education.
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