Minister Kruah Challenges Young Africans to Lead with Consciousness, Courage, and Regional Solidarity
June 10, 2026
Margibi, Liberia: Liberia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, has challenged emerging African leaders to embrace a new era of conscious leadership rooted in civic responsibility, regional cooperation, and a commitment to transforming the continent’s future.
Speaking at the opening of the 13th Cohort and 10th Anniversary Edition of the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLSA) in Margibi County, Minister Kruah welcomed more than 200 young leaders from across Africa and underscored the critical role of political education in advancing democratic governance and achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Delivering remarks on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Minister Kruah described Liberia as a nation that has emerged from conflict to become a symbol of resilience, democratic progress, 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,” she said. “A country that has, against considerable odds, chosen to build rather than burn.”
The Minister used the occasion to reaffirm Liberia’s commitment to strengthening ties within the Mano River Union (MRU), highlighting the shared history and common aspirations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
She welcomed the presence of fellow youth ministers from the three neighboring countries and described their joint participation as evidence of a growing commitment to regional collaboration and youth-centered development.
Minister Kruah emphasized that programs such as YPLSA serve a purpose far greater than conventional leadership training. She noted that true political education should prepare young people not merely for public office, but for active citizenship and principled leadership.“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.”
Drawing inspiration from influential African thinkers such as Edward Wilmot Blyden and Kwame Nkrumah, as well as global intellectuals and cultural icons, the Minister encouraged participants to develop a deeper understanding of Africa’s history, identity, and potential.
In a candid reflection on her own leadership journey, Minister Kruah recounted her early experiences in student politics and electoral contests, including both victories and defeats.
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,” Minister Kruah reminded participants that they represent the generation that will ultimately be responsible for turning the African Union’s long-term vision into reality.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Youth and Sports, noting that the Government of Liberia is pursuing deliberate investments in youth development through skills training, employment opportunities, civic engagement, and leadership development under President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
“With more than seventy percent of Liberia’s population under the age of thirty-five, youth development is national development,”
she stated.As YPLSA marks a decade of impact across the continent, Minister Kruah commended the institution’s Founder and Executive Director, Eddie Jarwolo, and the entire YPLSA team for their unwavering commitment to nurturing a new generation of ethical and transformative leaders.
