IPNEWS: The United Nations in Liberia has made a commitment to provide US$1.5 million towards supporting the Government of Liberia’s At-Risk Youth Program, which was launched on June 30, 2022, in Monrovia.
The latest commitment especially from key partners is a step in the right direction, an official at the Ministry of Youth and Sports said of the UN.
“The UN’s move is not only timely but a strategic one which will send a clear message that the Government of Liberia is willing and ready to address the issue of At-Risk Youth, but said, the effort will be done in a gradual process,” the Youth and Sports official told journalists recently.
The program when officially rolls out is expected to take At-Risk Youth from the streets, and help rehabilitate them, thereby making them marketable people in society.
The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports has been working tirelessly to ensure the execution of the At-Risk Youth Program.
On June 30, 2022, the government along with its partners launched a fund drive to help support the program.
The initiative is currently making some Significant strides with commitments been fulfilled thus far.
Already, President George Weah on behalf of the Government of Liberia made commitment of US$1 million to support the initiative valued at US$13.9 million during the launch of the program as a means of taking the first step for others to follow.
It can be recalled Youth and Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson said the issue of At-Risk Youth is a serious concern for President Weah and the government in general and is working hard around the clock to address it.
With the latest commitment from the United Nations and the anticipated commitments to be fulfilled, the key national program appears to have a green light for execution in order to benefit the larger population that are also concerned about the increasing wave of At-Risk Youth across the Country.
In a related development, the Chief Executive Officer of MANCO Manufacturing Company, Assad Raef Fadel also made good his word by presenting a check of US$25,000 (25 thousand United States Dollar) to the National At-Risk-Youth Drive.
The presentation was made at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Paynesville.
The US$25,000 check was a promise made by Mr. Fadel at the launch of the program organized by the government of Liberia to raise some US$13.9 million to get At-Risk Youth commonly called ‘Zogoes’ off the streets.
In a statement before the presentation of the check, Mr. Fadel said, “Today is the time we need to help the youth.”
According to him, the young people are the ones who will have the leadership of Liberia stating, “We should not neglect them. Any attempt to neglect them now, will ruin their lives and affect Liberia at large, this is the time.
“As the President said last week, “let’s save our youths.” I want to buttress his call to say, let’s save our youth now for a better Liberia” Fadel said.
The MANCO boss called on Imams, Pastors, Prayer Moms, Grandmothers, Fathers, Mothers and Aunts/uncles, Coaches, Teachers, Business/government in and out of Liberia to all join them in reaching out not only to the at-risk but all of the young people who are thirsty for mentoring, leadership, the advice of right from wrong, to understand the trials and tribulations of life.
He said the World Bank, United Nations, and International Funds have always been there for Liberia but that is not enough added, “We, Liberian people as a whole black and white must stand together and work together for a generation of at-risk youth who only has known war and devastation and now has to face the reality of life with its daily challenges.”
“You win sometimes, you lose sometimes. As a coach, I always tell my players, when we win the glory goes to you when we lose, I take the blame”, he said.
He added that when youth are losing, be it to drug abuse, the ghettos, to dropping out of schools and colleges, hitting the streets for the hustle, “We are to take the blame, we, the leaders of the mosques, the churches, the mothers, the fathers, the teachers, coaches, the business, government leaders, are to take the blame.”
“A winning Child is a winning future” the MANCO boss said.
He lauded President George Weah and Minister of Youth & Sports, D. Zeogar Wilson for this great undertaking the At-Risk Youth Program that was launched at the Ministerial Complex.
Upon receipt of the check, Minister Wilson thanked the MANCO boss for keeping his promise made during the At-Risk Youth Program launch. He committed that the funds being collected will be used for the purpose intended.
Minister Wilson also said, apart from the US$1 million President Weah committed on behalf of the Government of Liberia, discussions with other partners of Liberia are ongoing.
