President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has received the 2026 Youth Manifesto from Liberia's young people, assuring youth representatives that their recommendations will be carefully reviewed and translated into actionable government programs aimed at addressing unemployment, education challenges, skills development, entrepreneurship, and broader youth empowerment.
The President made the commitment on Saturday, July 25, 2026, during the Third Youth Town Hall Meeting held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, where more than 800 young Liberians representing the country's 15 political subdivisions gathered to engage government officials on issues affecting the nation's largest demographic group.
The Youth Manifesto was formally presented to President Boakai by Mandela S. Gbollie, Chairman of the President's Youth Advisory Council, on behalf of hundreds of young participants who attended the gathering.
Receiving the document, President Boakai assured the youth community that their concerns would not be ignored, emphasizing that his administration remains committed to creating meaningful opportunities for young Liberians through inclusive policymaking.
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"We have received your manifesto and will carefully review it together," President Boakai said. "We will work with young people to identify programmes that can be implemented."
He disclosed that discussions are already underway with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to determine additional financial support for youth-focused initiatives, stressing that youth development remains central to the government's national agenda.
Presenting the document, Youth Advisory Council Chairman Mandela S. Gbollie described the manifesto as a blueprint developed by young Liberians to guide government interventions and investments.
"This manifesto is our roadmap to a prosperous Liberia, written by the very hands that will build it," Gbollie told President Boakai.
The document outlines eight key priorities that young Liberians believe are necessary to accelerate national development and create sustainable opportunities.
Among the major recommendations are the construction of a National Youth Complex to serve as a central hub for youth activities, increased budgetary support for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers across all 15 counties, investment in artificial intelligence and digital innovation, support for persons with disabilities, reforms to improve youth entrepreneurship financing, tax incentives for youth-led businesses, and policies to strengthen Liberia's creative and technology-driven industries.
Gbollie described Liberia's youth population as "the active drivers of Liberia's future," calling for stronger partnerships between government and young people to transform national challenges into opportunities.
President Boakai also defended the establishment of the President's Youth Advisory Council, explaining that the initiative was created to ensure broader and more inclusive youth representation in national governance.
He said the previous arrangement, where a single youth representative participated in Cabinet meetings, did not adequately reflect the diverse views and interests of Liberia's young population.
"We felt that it was unfair for only one person to represent all young people at Cabinet meetings because that depended on the individual's views," President Boakai explained.
"We agreed that Liberia should establish a Youth Advisory Council made up of representatives from various youth organizations so that collective decisions would genuinely reflect the voices of young people," he added.
The President said the Council, which includes representatives from organizations such as the National Students Union of Liberia (SUL), the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), and other youth groups, has already demonstrated the importance of collective youth participation.
"We thank God that the Youth Advisory Council is working," he stated. "As we continue to see its impact, we will ensure that young people become increasingly involved in national decision-making and in building an efficient nation."
President Boakai emphasized that education remains one of the highest priorities of his administration, describing young Liberians as both the present and future of the country.
"Education remains one of government's highest priorities because young people represent both Liberia's present and its future," he declared.
The President outlined plans to improve the education sector through expanded teacher training, increased access to digital learning, strengthened community colleges, increased investment in technical and vocational education, and expanded scholarship opportunities.
He revealed that discussions are underway following his recent visit to China to expand digital education infrastructure throughout Liberia, ensuring that technology-based learning opportunities reach counties outside Monrovia.
"We want digital learning to reach every county, not only Monrovia," he said.
President Boakai also said Liberia is exploring ways to modernize its higher education system after studying educational reforms in Ethiopia during a visit accompanied by the President of the University of Liberia.
The President stressed the need for Liberia to prepare young people for emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, while ensuring that innovation is directed toward solving national problems.
"We also want Liberia to prepare its youth for the future, including the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence," Boakai said.
"We are not interested in AI for entertainment or misuse; we want AI that promotes development, creates jobs, improves agriculture, increases food production and drives national progress," he added.
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He said technology must become a tool for economic transformation, job creation, and improved productivity across key sectors of the Liberian economy.
Addressing concerns over unemployment among graduates and young professionals, President Boakai acknowledged the difficulties facing job seekers but cautioned that government alone cannot provide employment for every Liberian.
He called for stronger private sector participation and increased investment in industries capable of creating sustainable jobs.
"Government cannot employ every citizen because that would not be financially sustainable," President Boakai said.
"Our responsibility is to prepare young people with the education and skills needed to work in the private sector and industries investing in Liberia," he added.
He encouraged investments in manufacturing, shipbuilding, agriculture, and other productive sectors that can absorb Liberia's growing workforce.
Beyond education and employment, President Boakai reaffirmed his government's commitment to addressing challenges affecting young people, including drug abuse, limited economic opportunities, healthcare concerns, and infrastructure gaps.
He assured young Liberians that his administration would continue engaging them through dialogue and partnership, noting that youth participation is essential to building a stronger Liberia.
