Zorzor Youth Demand Skills Training and Opportunities As Minister Kruah Launches Nationwide Youth Engagement Tour

By: Peter Kollie |Lofa Correspondent

Zorzor City, Lofa County |March 18, 2026| The Minister of Youth and Sports, Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah, has officially launched a nationwide decentralization tour aimed at engaging young people at the grassroots level, as part of efforts to better understand their challenges, aspirations, and access to government programs.

The tour commenced in Zorzor District, Lofa County, where the Minister held an interactive dialogue with young people drawn from across the district. The engagement provided a platform for youth to directly present their concerns and expectations to the Ministry.

Speaking during the session, the Youth Public Relations Officer of Zorzor District, Mr. Daniel Dorbor, outlined several key issues affecting young people in the area. He emphasized the urgent need for improved communication between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and youth groups, including students, motorcyclists, and persons with disabilities.

According to Mr. Dorbor, strengthening information-sharing mechanisms would significantly enhance youth awareness and participation in national programs and initiatives.

He also highlighted the lack of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities in both Zorzor and Salayea districts. He noted that the absence of such institutions continues to leave many high school graduates without employable skills, thereby increasing vulnerability to unemployment. He called on the government to prioritize the establishment of a TVET center in the area.

Additionally, Mr. Dorbor raised concerns about the inadequate youth center in Zorzor, stating that the current facility is too small to accommodate the growing youth population. He further stressed the need for job opportunities, scholarship programs, and youth exchange initiatives to empower young people in the district.

In response, Minister Kruah acknowledged the communication gap between the Ministry and young people across the country. She emphasized the importance of creating a structured flow of information and proposed strengthening youth centers by deploying coordinators and installing information boards to disseminate opportunities from Monrovia to the counties.

She also encouraged young people to make effective use of social media platforms and existing youth leadership structures to maintain consistent engagement with the Ministry.

On the issue of establishing a TVET facility, the Minister said she could not make an immediate commitment but assured the gathering that the concerns raised by the youth of Zorzor and Salayea had been duly noted for consideration.

Minister Kruah disclosed plans to host a National Youth Leadership Retreat later this year, which will bring together young people from across Liberia to discuss national development and youth empowerment strategies.

Regarding infrastructure, she revealed that the Ministry’s Asset Management Team is currently assessing the condition of the Zorzor youth center to determine possible areas of support when funding becomes available.

The Minister also announced that the Ministry of Youth and Sports will introduce a new scholarship program, allocating 100 scholarship opportunities per semester to each county. She stressed that the process will be transparent, merit-based, and restricted to government-run colleges and universities within the counties, warning against any form of political interference.

Addressing employment concerns, Minister Kruah noted that initiatives such as the National Cadet Program and Internship Program have not effectively reached many communities due to weak coordination and communication. She assured that future recruitment processes will be widely publicized to ensure inclusive participation, particularly in districts like Zorzor.

Minister Kruah concluded by reminding the gathering that young people constitute nearly 70 percent of Liberia’s population, describing them as the country’s greatest asset. She urged them to take advantage of available opportunities and equip themselves with the skills necessary to compete in the job market.