By: Henry B Gboluma, Jr.| Gbarpolu County Correspondent
Bopolu City, Gbarpolu —Tuesday, June 10, 2025- On Monday, June 9, 2025, Gbarpolu County saw an important event where Senator Botoe Kanneh, Chairperson of the County Legislative Caucus, spoke strongly at a one-day meeting about the Policy on Girls’ Education.
The event was held at Bopolu City Hall and was organized by Paramount Young Women Initiatives in partnership with HOPE, with help from Educate Her.
The main goal was to encourage the community to support girls’ education under the theme, “Bringing the Policy Home: Supporting Girls’ Education Through Community Efforts.”
Senator Kanneh started her speech by talking about Liberia signing the Maputo Protocol.
She reminded everyone that, “We signed to the Maputo Protocol,” and compared it to a backyard garden that needs care and attention to grow well.
She told the young people that education is not just something you do for a short time, but it is a lifelong journey.
“This is not only about girls but about young people too,” she said. “Some of us never followed our education because of certain reasons, but that should not stop the youth of today. Education is the key to success.”
She urged everyone to take every chance to learn, no matter their age or situation. She said that “Whenever you see an open school go and learn something. Education has no ending.”
Sharing her own story, Senator Kanneh said, “People underestimated me. They said I was just a dried meat seller. But through that business, I built my foundation, and today, it supports me.”
She encouraged the young to aim high and pursue their dreams, saying, “You can be a bitter ball seller or a dried meat seller, but with education, you will get more money and know how to use it.”
The Senator also spoke about women’s education. She said, “To educate a girl is to educate a nation.”
She told men not to feel upset about women’s focus on learning, adding, “We must encourage our girls because when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
Addressing the challenges girls face, she said, “Age works against them because some girls drop out due to pregnancy or early marriage. But no one should discourage you. Learn for your future.”
She explained that, “If girls are not educated, even if they make money, they won’t know how to handle it.” She believes that Education teaches us how to own and manage our money.
Looking to the future, she warned that, “Even writing on blackboards will soon be a thing of the past as the world moves forward.”
She also advised young boys riding motorbikes that, “Bike riding is not a career, but education is. Trust in God and go to school; it will help you tomorrow.”
She connected education to health, pointing out that many health problems among young bike riders come from risky riding habits.
She believes that when young people get educated, they will be amazed at what they can achieve. She called this “success for themselves, their families, and their community.”
As the head of the Senate Committee on Gender, Women, Children & Social Protection, and a strong supporter of community growth and policy change, Senator Kanneh’s words are a big call for Liberia’s future.
She wants everyone to work together to build a future where every girl and young person in Gbarpolu is empowered through education.
She concluded by saying, “Investing in our youth today secures Liberia’s tomorrow.”
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
