By Stephanie M. Duncan
Monrovia – Liberia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, has called on emerging African leaders to embrace conscious leadership, civic responsibility, and regional solidarity as key pillars for advancing the continent’s development agenda.
Speaking at the opening of the 13th Cohort and 10th Anniversary Edition of the Young Political Leadership School Africa in Margibi County, Minister Kruah challenged more than 200 young leaders from across Africa to prepare themselves for ethical and transformative leadership.
Delivering remarks on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Minister described Liberia as a nation that has transformed itself from conflict and instability into a symbol of democratic progress, resilience, and regional cooperation.
“There is something poetic about bringing two hundred young leaders to a country that has, over the last thirty years, been both a wound and a healing,” Kruah said. “A country that has, against considerable odds, chosen to build rather than burn.”
She used the occasion to reaffirm Liberia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation within the Mano River Union, highlighting the shared history and aspirations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. According to the Minister, the participation of youth ministers from the three neighboring countries demonstrated a growing commitment to regional integration and youth-centered development.
Kruah emphasized that political education must go beyond preparing individuals for public office and instead cultivate informed and engaged citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to societal transformation.
“Political education is not political recruitment,” she told participants. “It is about building informed, conscious, and critical citizens who understand their societies and are prepared to contribute meaningfully to their transformation.”
The Minister encouraged participants to draw inspiration from Africa’s rich intellectual and political heritage, referencing renowned figures including Edward Wilmot Blyden and Kwame Nkrumah. She urged the young leaders to deepen their understanding of Africa’s history and identity as they prepare to shape the continent’s future.
Reflecting on her own political journey, Kruah shared experiences from her involvement in student leadership and electoral contests, including both successes and disappointments. She encouraged participants to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and to remain committed to public service despite challenges.
Addressing the gathering under the theme, “Empowering the Future: From Learning to Leadership for Africa’s Agenda 2063,” the Minister reminded attendees that they belong to the generation that will ultimately determine the success of the African Union’s long-term development vision.
She also highlighted ongoing initiatives being implemented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. These efforts, she said, are focused on expanding opportunities for young people through skills training, employment creation, civic engagement, and leadership development.
“With more than seventy percent of Liberia’s population under the age of thirty-five, youth development is national development,” Kruah emphasized.
As the Young Political Leadership School Africa marks ten years of nurturing future leaders across the continent, the Minister commended its founder, Eddie Jarwolo, and the institution’s leadership for their dedication to developing a new generation of principled and transformative African leaders.
About The Author
