As 10,000 Youth Benefits From Boakai Digital Skills Training
Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph N. Boakai’s digital skills training has finally paid off, as 10,000 Liberian youth have received certificates and awards after more than three months of study.
The course was one of the president’s 100-day deliverables to equip young people with digital skills and learn how to use information and communication technology (ICT) to create jobs.
Digital transformation is essential to achieving Liberia’s full potential, according to Minister Samuel Stevquoah, Minister of States Without Portfolio Special Services, who spoke on behalf of President Boakai on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the certification and award ceremony held at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
He stressed that ICT is a major component of the government’s goal as it serves as the foundation for many development sectors. According to the minister without portfolio, who spoke under the topic, it is an event in the pillar, emphasizing its importance in the development ambitions.
“We recognized the ambitious nature of our commitment to teach up to 10,000 of our youngsters in digital skills in the first half of the year. However, I am thrilled to declare today that the promise made has been fulfilled! This accomplishment is not only a number. It is a testament to the perseverance of our youth and the commitment of the project teams,” he said.
The government’s ambitious and purposeful digital transformation agenda, according to Minister Stevquoah, incorporates a number of elements from standards, legislative frameworks, and infrastructure development to an enabling digital economy and digital society.
“We also recognize the trailblazers of this program by awarding seed funding to the first set of 50 teams of trainees who successfully submitted a proposal worthy of support. To these young entrepreneurs, I say, seize this opportunity, innovate, and contribute to the development of our nation,” he said.
Through Minister Stevquoah, President Boakai asked the recipients to contribute back to the program so that future generations might reap its benefits. He went on to say, “You are not merely recipients; you are the leaders of a new era in Liberia.”
Minister Stevquoah explained that the seed-funding must be utilized to empower other sectors of the government’s ARREST agenda.
He indicated that ICT is a critical tool that can enhance productivity in health, agriculture, education, tourism, and beyond.
“Other Digital Transformation programs are not one-off initiatives,” the Minister Without Portfolio reiterated.
According to Minister Stevquoah, efforts are being made continuously to bring digital solutions into every part of society in order to boost productivity and raise everyone’s standard of living in Liberia.
In order to include ICT and digital skills training into high school curricula, President Boakai, acting through the Minister Without Portfolio, directed the Ministry of Education to collaborate closely with the Digital Transformation Project and the development partners.
Since interoperability is essential to the digital economy and society, the Digital Transformation Project will collaborate with important sector entities such as the Liberia Revenue Authority, the Central Bank of Liberia, the Accountant General’s Office, and the National Identity Registry to ensure this infrastructure is in place and is available for Government and private sector services,” he noted.
Reported by: Prince Saah
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