MONROVIA, June 5 (LINA) – In an effort to address Liberia’s growing youth unemployment crisis, the Government of Liberia has constituted a “Working Group” charged with the responsibility of formulating a bill that will ensure the establishment of a Youth Employment Agency in Liberia.
The Working Group, which is headed by Mr. Duku Jallah, as the Head of Secretariat of the Youth Legislative Caucus of the 55th National Legislature will ensure the implementation of the objectives of the group.
According to a statement from the Working Group dated June 3, 2025, the team has concluded a strategic study tour in Ghana aimed at learning from the country’s successful Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
The statement revealed that during the visit, Mr. Jallah held a series of high-level engagements with the leadership of YEA, including its Chief Executive Officer, Malik Basintale.
The statement added that these discussions were focused on understanding the structure, programs, and impact of Ghana’s YEA, which serves as a national vehicle for reducing unemployment through skills training, job placement, entrepreneurship support, and structured internships.
The statement furthered that as a major outcome of the visit; a Liberia-Ghana Working Group has been established to support the drafting of a bill for the establishment of a National Youth Employment Agency in Liberia.
The statement noted that the agency will be a permanent institution dedicated to connecting young Liberians to job opportunities and economic empowerment, adding that the working group will be coordinated by Duku Jallah and will include: Mr. Shadrach Awenpagrim Amok, Director of Special Duties and Initiatives, YEA Ghana and Mr. Habib Kipo, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, YEA Ghana.
The group will also include: Mr. Steve Tequah, Chairperson, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Republic of Liberia, Mr. Anthony Williams, Co-chair, Youth Legislative Caucus, Republic of Liberia and Ms. Banica Elliott, President of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY).
The statement revealed that a member of the Presidential Youth Advisory Council will also be a part of the Working Group.
According to the statement, the Ghanaian representatives will provide technical guidance to ensure that Liberia’s legislation reflects best practices and lessons learned from Ghana’s experience, while Representative Anthony Williams is expected to officially introduce the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives in the coming weeks.
The statement unveiled that the proposed Youth Employment Agency of Liberia will serve as a national hub for youth job creation and skills development, it will also provide career guidance, digital and vocational training, and apprenticeships for aspiring Liberian youths.
The statement also maintained that the institution will help connect young Liberians to internships and employment opportunities in public and private sectors, support youth-led businesses through incubation, finance, and mentorship, and ensure systematic coordination of youth employment programs across government and private institutions.
The Working Group statement committed the proposed agency to institutionalizing support for young people and creating a sustainable, youth-led mechanism to address one of Liberia’s most urgent challenges: unemployment.
With over 70% of Liberia’s population under the age of 35, the unemployment crisis among youth is not only a development issue, but also a threat to peace and national stability.
The establishment of a Youth Employment Agency, designed and driven by young people, offers a transformative solution that places young Liberians at the center of national development, turning them from economic dependents into nation-builders.
