Monrovia, Liberia – More than 1,500 young people who took part in the 2025 National Vacation Job Program have been paid by the Ministry of Labor, which is a significant step in the government’s goal to empower youth and give them useful job experience.
Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr. during the exercise praised the program’s accomplishments and expressed hope that it will continue to receive even more institutional support in the years to come. He pointed out that the program, which started off as a trial project in 2024, has already gathered steam and received encouraging comments from public and private organizations.
After starting as a pilot project in 2024, he said, the program has now gathered momentum and received encouraging comments from the public and private organizations.
The results of the vacation job program this year have been very satisfied. The young people were serious and dedicated, as evidenced by the fact that no institution reported any wrongdoing from participating students. Minister Kruah stated, “We can grow this program to help even more students with increased cooperation from government ministries and the private sector.”
Highlighting the value of shared responsibility, the minister urged each ministry to include funding for the program in its budget. He also promised that he will personally deliver this idea to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. He stated that the Liberian leader is still dedicated to giving Liberians, particularly young people, opportunities.
“The way this program is transforming lives will undoubtedly inspire President Boakai. Even students who are disabled participated fully and gave excellent performances. This is a clear indication that every young Liberian can make a significant contribution to nation-building with the correct assistance,” Minister Kruah continued.
In order to provide opportunities for more young people in the future, the Minister also urged students who have been offered jobs by their host schools to accept their responsibilities and act as program ambassadors.
Minister Kruah promised that his administration is looking into measures to assist the inclusion of the disabled community in sustainable employment in response to their requests. He gave Stephen S. Kolubah, his deputy minister for planning and manpower development, immediate authority to evaluate prospects for bringing capable members of the community into the workforce.
The Ministry reiterated that the Vacation Job Program is a part of President Boakai’s larger plan to increase job opportunities and empower the next generation of Liberians, in addition to providing a means for students to obtain professional experience.
Joseph T. K. Barfeh, who is visually impaired, spoke on behalf of the recipients and thanked the Labour Minister and his team for being inclusive during the hiring process by offering assistance to people with disabilities. He used the opportunity to applaud President Boakai for his wise choice in appointing Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr. as Minister of Labor.
He praised the Ministry for employing a nondiscriminatory hiring method, sending a message to the world that disabled individuals should not feel comfortable meeting new people. Barfeh urged the Minister to consider hiring at least one disabled person in each ministry department, stressing that disability does not equate to incapacity.
The leadership of the HR Association of Liberia, officials of government ministries and agencies, and members of the private sector who worked with the Ministry of Labor to successfully administer the 2025 vacation job program witnessed the occasion.
