By Grace Q. Bryant
The Government of Liberia has launched a Youth Empowerment Program aimed at addressing unemployment and creating job opportunities for young people across the country.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, the head of the Liberia Youth Empowerment Program, Atty. Maxwell Grisby, emphasized that the initiative is expected to employ over 100,000 youth in its initial phase.
Atty. Grisby underscored the growing challenge of unemployment and underemployment among young people, particularly those in the informal sector and government services.
He emphasized the importance of engaging the youth in meaningful work to harness their energy for national development.
The program, backed by the President of Liberia, will focus on employing young people in community service and infrastructure projects, such as clean-up campaigns, road construction, and other public service initiatives.
“This is a long-awaited project designed to tackle unemployment and underutilization among young people. We are deploying 100,000 youth across various locations to ensure they have a steady source of income and contribute positively to their communities,” Atty. Grisby stated.
The initiative will initially roll out in various counties, where young people will engage in tasks such as maintaining public spaces and supporting community development efforts. Demand for the program has already been significant, with over 2,000 young candidates expressing interest in a short period.
“The response has been overwhelming. Initially, we had fewer than 200 applicants, but now thousands of young people are eager to get involved,” Atty. Grisby noted.
Beyond job creation, the program also aims to equip youth with valuable skills while allowing them to support their families financially.
Participants working part-time, for instance, from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, will have the flexibility to pursue additional income-generating activities, such as market trading, while receiving stipends via mobile money services.
“The program provides financial support while empowering young people with skills that will serve them beyond this initiative. It’s about improving economic conditions while fostering a culture of community service,” Atty. Grisby explained.
The initiative has already made an impact, with young volunteers mobilized in several communities. Atty. Grisby highlighted efforts in Central Monrovia, where youth-led clean-up activities have improved conditions at Palm Grove Cemetery, which had been overwhelmed by garbage and unsanitary living conditions affecting over 150 citizens.
“We are witnessing real change as young people take ownership of their communities. This is about more than just cleaning up—it’s about restoring hope and creating opportunities for Liberia’s future,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Youth Empowerment Program aims to expand its reach, with plans to employ an additional 5,000 young people in the second half of the budget year.
“We are proud of the impact this program is making, and we will continue expanding opportunities for youth empowerment in Liberia,” Atty. Grisby concluded.
