By Lewis S. Teh
MONROVIA, Liberia, August 26, 2026 — Deputy Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Bill McGill Jones says the President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) is producing tangible employment and leadership opportunities for young Liberians, with several fellows transitioning into permanent government positions.
Jones said the growing presence of young professionals across government demonstrates that young Liberians are no longer being kept on the sidelines but are increasingly participating in national decision-making.
Speaking at activities marking the graduation of PYPP Class XII, the Deputy Minister said the program’s impact since its establishment can be measured by the contributions of its fellows and alumni across government and the private sector.
“When you reflect on 2009 to today, what you see across this board, across government, across private sector institutions, are visible dividends,” Jones said.
He described the program’s impact as “a bar that you can touch, you can feel, you can measure,” arguing that PYPP has produced concrete results rather than abstract promises.
“It is not one of the astral ones when you speak about PYPP. It is something tangible,” he added.
Jones said the Presidency is particularly encouraged by the program’s success in placing university graduates across government ministries and agencies.
He disclosed that three members of the graduating class have transitioned from PYPP fellows to full-time employees at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.
According to him, Danette has been assigned to the Office of the Minister, James to the Financial Management Unit and Keller to the Procurement Unit.
Jones also highlighted the contribution of Edward Olu Besman, an engineer who joined the Ministry about three months ago to support infrastructure development.
“He has stood tall in that gap. He continues to provide invaluable services that we could not afford, and we want to thank him for that,” Jones said.
He indicated that such transitions demonstrate the program’s ability to provide young professionals with practical experience while creating pathways to longer-term employment in public service.
Jones said President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration is committed to increasing opportunities for young Liberians to participate in governance and national development.
He pointed to opportunities created at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs as examples of growing youth participation in government.
“Gone are the days when they look at us as young people being troublemakers. Today, we are at the table. We are part of the decision-making. We are shifting the destiny of Liberia,” Jones declared.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State and the management of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Jones congratulated members of Class XII and welcomed incoming fellows.
He said the administration would continue supporting programs that develop young Liberians professionally and create opportunities for them to contribute to decision-making.
Jones said the objective is to build and mentor young people, place them in positions where they can develop professionally and ensure that they have opportunities to participate in decisions affecting the country.
PYPP, now in its 17th year, was established to identify promising young Liberians, strengthen their professional capacities and place them in public service institutions where they can contribute to national development.
Class XII recently completed a two-year fellowship, with participants assigned across 22 government ministries and agencies.
