THE 56TH NATIONAL YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION HELD IN BUCHANAN
THE 56TH NATIONAL YOUTH DAY CELEBRATION HELD IN BUCHANAN.
The 56th National Youth Day celebration was held today in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, under the inspiring theme: “Recognizing the Gains and Building Resilience for Liberia’s Future.” The event brought together key national and international partners committed to youth empowerment and national development. Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Madia H. Peters Magbollah emphasized that young people are not just tomorrow’s leaders—they are leading and shaping the future today. She highlighted Liberia’s collective resilience as a nation, noting that the country has protected its peace by successfully conducting four consecutive peaceful elections.
According to her, Liberia continues to make progress in critical sectors such as electricity, roads, foreign investment attraction, and improvements within the security and justice systems. Mrs. Magbollah also applauded the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its recent success in installing modern floodlights at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex—an achievement that brings renewed hope to Liberian sports. However, she acknowledged ongoing challenges such as drug and substance abuse that continue to harm many young Liberians. She described Liberians as a resilient people who have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to rise above difficulties. She stressed that resilience is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be developed. She outlined four essential pillars of resilience: Mindset, Connection, Wellness, and Purpose, urging young people to pursue professional development and strong work ethics to prepare for the future.
Also during the ceremony, Youth and Sports Minister, Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, officially launched the 2025 National Youth Policy and Action Plan on behalf of President Joseph N. Boakai. He described the Policy and Action Plan as a milestone achievement in Liberia’s youth development efforts. The Minister praised young people across the country for validating the document, noting that it will serve as a guiding instrument for youth participation in national development. Minister Bangalu acknowledged that while the majority of Liberian youth are productive and contributing positively to society, a small portion remain vulnerable to drugs and substance abuse.
He assured the nation that the government is committed to tackling the issue and supporting affected youth through rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives. Representing the United Nations system, UNFPA Resident Coordinator Mady Diaye described the moment as a critical turning point for Liberia’s youth. He reiterated that young people are not only future leaders but also present-day innovators, change agents, and partners in sustainable development. He commended the Government of Liberia—especially the Ministry of Youth and Sports—and the UN system for prioritizing youth-centered policies and programs. Earlier, in the opening statement, Acting Deputy Minister for Youth Development F. Alphonso Y. Belleh underscored the importance of the National Youth National Youth Day.
He also emphasizes the significance of the National Youth Policy and Action Plan. He explained that the framework being unveiled is the result of strong collaborative effort between the Ministry of Youth and Sports, national youth organizations and international partners including UNFPA and UN Women. Acting Deputy Minister Belleh further stated that, to transform the strategy goals into tangible results, Liberia must mobilize 81,747,000 to effectively implement the plan.
The National Youth Policy and Action Plan identifies key priority areas aligned with the National Development Plan- the ARREST Agenda, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and major resolutions on peace and security. The 56th National Youth Day celebration reaffirmed a strong national commitment to youth empowerment, resilience-building, and the collective pursuit of a brighter future for Liberia.
