31 July 2008
The Liberian Government is showing concerns for hundreds of wayward youthful Liberians who are believed to be living in streets corners, cemeteries and other hideouts, engaged in criminal activities by encouraging them to become useful Liberians.
The government's action was demonstrated in a one-day interactive forum organized by the government of Liberia through the Youths and Sports Ministry in collaboration with the old days sports association.
Yesterday, hundreds of them (wayward youthful Liberians) converged at the refurbished Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville for a meeting with the authority of the Youths and Sports Ministry. During the one-day interactive forum, the two sides discussed issues affecting them.
During the forum, both officials of the Ministry of Youth & Sports discussed issues of mutual concerns, with reference to taking the youths who are accused of perpetuating criminality in the society, to desist and get involved in meaningful ventures.
Speaking to The Analyst after their decision with officials of the ministry, Patrick Flomo, alias Russian, said most them took to the streets because their parents rejected them due to habits, such as drugs taking among others.
"I'm from a good family; I graduated from the Open Standard School on the Old Road in 2004. But I left my parents' house because I wanted to enjoy myself.
Today, I'm very bad off to the extent that nobody wants to identify with me; it is worrisome and most of all, we are always neglected," he said.
According to him, whenever they decide to leave drugs, they are persuaded by drugs dealers not to do so because "they have got addicted to it and may consequently die. He said this is the fear they have for which some of them are finding it hard to leave smoking and other bad habits.
Also speaking to this paper on the meeting between the wayward youthful Liberians and the ministry, Assistant Minister for Youth Services at the Youths and Sports Ministry Nya Twayen said the program was intended to take the youths from the streets and make them productive citizens for tomorrow.
According to him, it takes courage and confidence to deal with such people because of the enormity of their involvement in criminality, adding that the decision to incorporate them is a contribution of the Ministry to Government's PRS.
He pointed out that the exercise will help to reduce the level of criminal activities. "We are working with them for the next few months, because changing those guys takes time and resources," he added. Mr. Twayen maintained that they intend to lobby with friendly nations and organizations to solicit support for them.
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