Ministry of Youth and Sports Reopens Tumutu Agricultural Vocational Training Center, Reviving Hope for Youth Empowerment and Skills Development
Ministry of Youth and Sports Reopens Tumutu Agricultural Vocational Training Center, Reviving Hope for Youth Empowerment and Skills Development
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) has officially reopened the Tumutu Agricultural Vocational Training Center (TAVTC) in Bong County, marking a significant milestone for the Unity Party Government's drive to empower young people through technical and vocational education, agricultural transformation, and sustainable job creation.
The colorful reopening ceremony attracted a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, members of the Bong County Legislative Caucus, local authorities, traditional leaders, students, and residents, all gathered to celebrate the revival of one of Liberia's premier agricultural training institutions.
Making a special statement, Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, described the reopening as more than the restoration of a training facility. She said it represents renewed hope and opportunity for hundreds of young Liberians seeking practical skills to transform their lives and contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to Minister Kruah, the reopening demonstrates the government's unwavering commitment to investing in its youthful population through quality technical and vocational education.
"Today marks a new chapter of opportunity for our young people. Through this institution, hundreds of youths will gain practical skills that will empower them economically, promote self-reliance, and enable them to become productive contributors to Liberia's development," Minister Kruah stated.
She further expressed gratitude to the Ministry's development partners and stakeholders whose support helped make the rehabilitation and reopening of the center possible.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Alexander Nuetah, emphasized that Liberia's agricultural future depends largely on the active participation, innovation, and energy of its young people.
He described agriculture as one of the country's most promising sectors for employment generation and economic transformation, urging young Liberians—particularly women—to embrace opportunities within the sector.
"Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, and the future of this sector rests in the hands of our young people. The reopening of the Tumutu Agricultural Vocational Training Center is a strategic investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who will strengthen food security, create jobs, and drive national development," Dr. Nuetah remarked.
Dr. Nuta committed to strengthening partnership and collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports concerning youth in agriculture.
Representing the Bong County Legislative Caucus, Senator Prince K. Moye hailed the reopening as the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream for the people of Bong County.
Describing the occasion as a historic achievement, Senator Moye announced 70 scholarship opportunities for deserving students and encouraged young people to seize the opportunity to acquire technical and vocational skills that can shape their futures.
In a similar gesture of support, Hon. Briggs-Mensah pledged 50 additional scholarships to students enrolling at the institution. She reaffirmed her commitment to expanding educational access and empowering young people through skills development initiatives. Hon. Briggs-Mensah also commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports and its partners for their dedication to creating pathways to opportunity for Liberia's youth.
International development partners, including the European Union (EU), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UNESCO, ICED, China Aid, and Terra Agri, welcomed the institution's reopening and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Liberia's youth development agenda.
The partners praised the leadership of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They pledged continued collaboration to strengthen technical and vocational education, workforce readiness, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people across the country.
The revitalized center will provide training in agriculture, agribusiness, and other technical disciplines, equipping students with practical knowledge and marketable skills designed to improve productivity, enhance entrepreneurship, generate employment, and strengthen community livelihoods.
The reopening of the Tumutu Agricultural Vocational Training Center stands as another major achievement under the Rescue Mission Government's broader agenda, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, to expand opportunities for young people through education, skills development, and economic empowerment.
By addressing critical skills gaps within the labor market, the center is expected to promote self-reliance, innovation, and entrepreneurship among young people, particularly those from Bong, Margibi, Lofa, and Nimba Counties.
As students prepare to begin a new academic journey at the institution, the restored center symbolizes a renewed national commitment to building a generation of skilled, innovative, and self-reliant Liberians capable of driving the country's agricultural and economic transformation.
For decades, the Tumutu Agriculture and Vocational Training Center has played an important role in community development and youth capacity-building. With renewed government commitment, the institution is poised to expand its reach and impact, helping to cultivate a generation of skilled young Liberians capable of driving the nation toward a more prosperous, food-secure, and self-sufficient future.
The reopening of TUMUTU is therefore more than the restoration of a training institution; it is a renewed investment in Liberia's youth, agriculture, and national development.
