MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s growing youth challenges, including unemployment, weak infrastructure, limited rehabilitation services, and gaps in youth programming, are now taking center stage as the Ministry of Youth and Sports moves to strengthen its partnership with the United Nations system in search of long-term solutions.
The latest push for collaboration emerged during a high-level meeting on Wednesday, May 20, between Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah and United Nations Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Monrovia.
While the discussions focused on strengthening partnerships for youth development and sports empowerment, the meeting also revealed broader concerns about systemic weaknesses affecting young people across Liberia.
Minister Kruah used the meeting to outline her vision of transforming the Ministry into the government’s central coordinating body for youth-related initiatives, arguing that fragmented institutional efforts have historically slowed progress and created duplication in programs intended to benefit young people.
According to the Minister, poor coordination among institutions has often weakened the effectiveness of youth interventions across the country.
She also briefed the United Nations Resident Coordinator on findings from a recent nationwide assessment conducted across Liberia’s fifteen counties. The exercise, carried out alongside ministry technicians, evaluated youth and sports facilities while creating opportunities for direct interaction with young people and local communities.
The assessment reportedly uncovered significant infrastructure and social service gaps.
Among the most pressing concerns highlighted was the absence of drug rehabilitation centers across Liberia’s southeastern region, a situation ministry officials say continues to leave vulnerable young people without access to structured rehabilitation and psychosocial support services.
The Ministry emphasized that addressing substance abuse and youth vulnerability requires more than awareness campaigns, noting that stronger support systems and practical intervention mechanisms remain necessary.
As part of broader reforms, the Ministry announced plans to reactivate thirty youth centers across the country with government-backed operational and staffing support.
Authorities say the initiative is intended to expand youth engagement opportunities while strengthening local coordination structures.
The Ministry is also pursuing reforms at the county level aimed at ensuring broader inclusion and improved participation of young people in decision-making and development activities.
During the discussions, United Nations Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni welcomed the Ministry’s reform efforts and expressed support for plans to establish a dedicated Research and Planning Unit within the institution.
Officials say the proposed unit would focus on collecting reliable youth-centered data, conducting research, and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
The discussions also included plans for the development of an annual “State of the Youth” report, which would provide policymakers, development partners, and stakeholders with detailed information on conditions affecting young people nationwide.
According to participants, the report would help improve planning processes and strengthen coordination among institutions working in the youth sector.
The meeting further stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions and development partners involved in youth-focused initiatives.
Officials also called for greater private sector participation, emphasizing that support for young people should extend beyond traditional corporate social responsibility programs and involve more sustainable investment approaches.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) also featured prominently in the discussions.
Minister Kruah reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to aligning skills training programs with labor market demands so that young people can acquire practical and employable skills.
She disclosed that discussions with development partners, including the European Union, are already underway to strengthen strategic coordination within the skills development sector.
The meeting additionally addressed preparations for a major Youth, Peace and Security side event expected to take place during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September while Liberia serves as Chair of the United Nations Security Council.
Officials from both sides stressed the importance of using Liberia’s international platform to highlight the country’s peacebuilding achievements and youth leadership initiatives.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the United Nations system concluded the engagement with a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding opportunities for young people.
However, as plans and partnerships continue to emerge, questions remain about whether institutional reforms and international collaboration alone can address the longstanding structural challenges facing Liberia’s youth population.
