By Grace Q. Bryant
The Government of Liberia has launched the Liberia Digital Transformation training project for 10,000 youths across the country.
The program was held at the E.J. Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, where President Joseph Boakai served as chief launcher, stating that digital transformation is crucial in unlocking Liberia’s full potential.
According to President Boakai, the introduction of digital transformation paves the way for numerous opportunities for Liberia.
“This bold and visionary endeavor aims to make Liberia a leader in the global digital economy, with a goal of 30,000 individuals becoming a part of this transformation. Failure to embrace this change risks relegating Liberia to the sidelines of global progress,” the President emphasized.
He added that it is necessary to harness the power of digital innovation for the betterment of the nation and its people.
“Liberians stand to gain immensely from embracing this transformation. It offers a huge opportunity for progress, breaking through the barriers that traditional development avenues have faced due to infrastructure challenges,” he stressed.
He furthered that by investing in digital infrastructure and promoting innovation, citizens can actively participate in the global digital economy, from e-commerce to digital finance, and access education.
“The possibilities are infinite. Moreover, digital transformation can foster inclusive growth and create new avenues for economic and social empowerment in our country.”
He further disclosed that the Ministry, along with various agencies and commissions, collaborates closely with the Ministry of Telecommunication and the LTA to accelerate the development of the e-governance framework.
“This is a crucial step towards our digital transformation and the establishment of a digital government. Our focus is to engage sectors such as immigration, health, foreign affairs, agriculture, education, military, and communication to achieve our goals of economic enhancement and job opportunities,” he emphasized.
He revealed that the Minister of Education will be directed to review the high school curriculum and make computer literacy a compulsory subject, adding, “This will help equip our youth with the necessary skills to succeed in the digital age.”
“We believe that digital transformation is not just about incorporating new technologies, but also about revolutionizing the way we conduct business and creating value by embracing digital innovation,” he stated.
He noted, “This transformation can unlock new sources of economic growth and job creation in Liberia. From tech, startup, and digital enterprises to freelance opportunities and remote work, the global economy offers a vast array of possibilities for Liberian youth to thrive and succeed in the global web market, acquire digital skills, and strengthen their competitiveness in the job market,”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Cole Bangalu, said the program is a strategic step towards improving performance, efficiency, transparency, and accountability, especially in public service.
“This intentional disruption is changing the way businesses operate, approach the market, and deliver economic growth and development. We are grateful for your vision and leadership, which will give young people access to the tools they need to accelerate sustainable development in this era of disruptive technology,” he expressed.
Representing the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Sekou M. Kromah said digital transformation has become imperative in developing countries, as it helps improve efficiency and customer experience.
“To achieve this, modernization, digital automation, and integration of digital technologies into every business area are necessary,” he said.
According to him, the lack of digital infrastructure is a common challenge in developing countries, but the government has made digitization a priority to help reach our full potential; the launch of this initiative, with less than 10,000 digital growths, is a significant step towards digitalization.
Giving the overview of the project, Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) acting Chairperson, Abdullah L. Kamara, narrated that the key objectives of the project are to design and implement digital awareness, skills training, and empowerment programs for Liberians to contribute to Liberia’s economic growth.
The LTA acting Chairperson also stated that there are three key objectives of the project: promote the use of technology, facilitate tech education, and empower tech entrepreneurs.
He said that facilitating tech education will conduct tech education in specific technologies by setting the appropriate technology and media framework.
Kamara stated that digital transportation refers to the comprehensive integration of digital technologies into all aspects of an organization or society, fundamentally changing how they operate and deliver value.
“For developing countries like Liberia, digital transformation offers a multitude of opportunities to leapfrog transitional development barriers and accelerate progress,” he noted.
