By: Keith Morrison| Staff Writer
Margibi County, Kakata City-Saturday, March 1, 2025-The European Union Delegation, in collaboration with the Government of Liberia, has successfully concluded a high-level visit to the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi County.
The engagement reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to technical and vocational education, youth empowerment, and human capital development in Liberia.
The delegation was led by Erica Gerretsen, Director for Human Development, Migration, Governance & Peace at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) of the European Commission, and featured key stakeholders, including Liberia’s Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, senior officials from the Government of Liberia (GOL), representatives from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the leadership of BWI. The visit focused on fostering partnerships to enhance vocational training, workforce development, and economic growth in Liberia.
The visit commenced at the BWI main campus workshop, where the delegation received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the Principal of BWI. In her remarks, she expressed profound gratitude to the European Union for its unwavering support in strengthening vocational education, emphasizing the transformative impact of technical training on Liberia’s workforce.
The delegation then embarked on an immersive tour of BWI’s state-of-the-art technical training facilities, gaining first-hand insights into specialized programs in carpentry, electrical engineering, machining, welding, automotive technology, and computer science.
The visit underscored BWI’s role as a premier institution in equipping young Liberians with critical technical skills, fostering job creation, and driving national development.
A key highlight of the visit was the delegation’s stop at the Technical & Professional Training and Research Institute (TCPTRI) facility, where Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, delivered a powerful and inspiring address. In her speech, Dr. Jallah commended the European Union for its extraordinary support in advancing technical education in Liberia, noting that skills development remains the foundation for national progress. She acknowledged the EU’s pedagogical training programs and investment in youth capacity building, emphasizing that such initiatives align with the Government of Liberia’s vision for a skilled, innovative, and globally competitive workforce.
Dr. Jallah further lauded BWI’s commitment to excellence, recognizing the institution as a pillar of hope and opportunity for thousands of Liberian youth aspiring to build successful careers in technical fields towards reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s dedication to strengthening Liberia’s vocational training infrastructure, ensuring that every young Liberian has access to quality education that leads to sustainable livelihoods.
The visit also featured an engaging presentation and discussion on the Youth Rising Project, a transformative initiative designed to expand vocational training opportunities for young Liberians. Representatives from the EU, BWI, GOL, and UNIDO exchanged insights on strategies to strengthen Liberia’s technical education sector and empower youth with practical skills for the job market.
As part of the engagement, the delegation participated in the screening of the internationally acclaimed documentary “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”, which highlights Liberia’s history of resilience and the pivotal role of women in peacebuilding. The screening set the stage for a dynamic dialogue on transitional justice, where transitional justice activists and BWI students engaged in thought-provoking discussions on sustaining peace, promoting justice, and fostering national reconciliation.
The visit concluded with a VIP luncheon, bringing together members of the European Union Delegation, BWI leadership, Government of Liberia officials, and UNIDO representatives.
The luncheon provided a platform for meaningful reflections on the successes of the engagement, with all parties reaffirming their commitment to enhancing vocational education, fostering innovation, and expanding economic opportunities for Liberian youth.
This landmark visit underscores the European Union’s unwavering support for Liberia’s education sector, reinforcing its role as a trusted development partner.
Through continued investments in skills training, vocational education, and workforce development, the EU remains committed to helping Liberia unlock its full potential by empowering young people with the knowledge and expertise to build a prosperous future.
The Booker Washington Institute stands as a beacon of excellence, and this engagement with the EU and the Government of Liberia marks yet another milestone in the ongoing mission to transform education, strengthen industries, and equip the next generation of Liberian professionals with the tools needed for national and global success.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
