Empowering Liberia’s Youth: From Agents of Violence to Drivers of Change

By Lionel Weah Toe

Like many parts of the world, the youth demographic in Liberia represents a critical aspect of the country’s future social, economic, and political transformation. However, Liberia’s youth have been largely marginalized, experiencing the dual challenges of insufficient educational opportunities and the legacy of a prolonged civil war that left profound scars on the country’s social fabric (UNDP, 2017). Although these young people have often been framed as agents of violence in the aftermath of the war, there exists a compelling opportunity to reposition them as drivers of change, if the government and society at large take active steps toward empowering them, particularly in areas such as education, research, and innovation.

Global and Regional Perspectives on Youth Empowerment

Globally, youth empowerment is increasingly seen as integral to achieving sustainable development. The United Nations (2020) has emphasized the importance of youth in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals related to quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and innovation (SDG 9). Empowering youth in these areas is essential for addressing global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and social inequality. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, 2019), young people today are leading numerous global initiatives, from climate action movements to cutting-edge tech innovations, demonstrating their potential as problem-solvers in diverse sectors.

Within the West African region, several countries have made significant strides in empowering their youth, especially in fostering innovation and research. For instance, Ghana has introduced several initiatives to encourage youth participation in technology and innovation. The “Ghana Innovation Hub” and the “Youth in Tech” initiatives aim to support young entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities (Poku & Oppong, 2020). These programs have contributed to the success of startups that leverage technology to address local issues such as access to healthcare and agricultural productivity. Similarly, Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem, exemplified by initiatives like Andela and Flutterwave, underscores the power of youth-driven innovation. The Nigerian government, through policies like the “Digital Economy” strategy, has supported a growing community of youth entrepreneurs, providing them with the resources to turn ideas into scalable businesses that contribute to national and global economies (Adebayo, 2021).
These regional examples illustrate that when governments actively support youth-led innovation, they can foster economic growth and social development. In contrast, Liberia’s youth continue to face significant barriers to accessing the resources and opportunities necessary to participate in these global and regional trends.

The Case of Liberia: Challenges and Opportunities for Youth Empowerment

Liberia’s youth population is a critical component of the nation’s social fabric, with 74.5% of the population under the age of 35 (LISGIS, 2022). However, despite their numbers, young Liberians have been marginalized for decades, primarily due to the effects of the 14-year civil war (1990-2003), which decimated the country’s infrastructure and left many young people orphaned or displaced. The lack of access to quality education and the scarcity of job opportunities have contributed to a high rate of youth unemployment, leading to disillusionment and, in some cases, violence. LISGIS (2022) reports that youth unemployment in Liberia remains one of the highest in the region, a statistic that exacerbates societal instability.

While the youth are often viewed as a problem, especially in light of high crime rates and political unrest they also hold immense potential to drive national development. According to the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS, 2022), Liberia’s young people are resourceful, with many showing an interest in pursuing entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation, though they often lack the necessary support structures. Unfortunately, the government has not prioritized creating policies or structures that adequately support youth-driven research and innovation. Unlike neighboring countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, Liberia lacks a comprehensive strategy to integrate youth into the innovation and research sectors.
Liberia’s government has made incremental progress in expanding education and addressing youth unemployment, but it has not sufficiently nurtured innovation, research, and entrepreneurship among its youth. Programs that could stimulate youth engagement in science and technology remain minimal, with few financial incentives, mentorship programs, or research grants available to young innovators. This lack of infrastructure for research and innovation stifles the potential for youth-led solutions to critical national problems, such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Research by the World Bank (2019) highlights that young Liberians, despite facing barriers, have shown potential for entrepreneurship but lack the necessary resources to scale their ideas.
Liberia mustn’t postpone action because of ignorance. There is a need for serious attention to be given to research findings to guide the nation’s policy actions. The integration of research into the policy process is essential to address the needs of the population and ensure that development is inclusive and sustainable. Functional integration of the population into development, particularly through youth innovation and research, is what Liberia needs if it is to achieve any of the SDGs by 2023. No country can make significant progress or achieve sustainable development by ignoring research. Without data-driven decision-making, Liberia risks stagnating in its developmental efforts, unable to capitalize on the creativity and resourcefulness of its youth.

The Role of Science and Innovation in Addressing Liberia’s Challenges

The future of Liberia’s youth lies in their ability to contribute to the scientific and technological solutions needed to address the country’s most pressing challenges. With a focus on science and innovation, Liberia could tap into the immense creative potential of its youth and harness it to drive national development. For example, Liberia’s agricultural sector, which employs a majority of the population, faces significant challenges related to productivity, climate change, and food security. Empowering young people to engage in innovative farming practices, such as precision agriculture or the use of mobile technology for farming advice, could help address these issues (Chambers & Conway, 2019).

Furthermore, Liberia’s healthcare system, which remains underdeveloped, could benefit from youth-driven innovation. Young Liberians, with support from the government and international partners, could develop mobile health solutions, telemedicine services, or low-cost diagnostic technologies to improve access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical need for innovation in healthcare systems worldwide, and Liberia could leverage its youth to implement technologies that will transform its health sector (UNDP, 2020).
Thus, it is clear that if Liberia’s government were to prioritize science and innovation, particularly among its youth, the country could begin to tackle many of its most pressing problems. By providing the necessary infrastructure, such as research funding, access to technology, and platforms for innovation the government could help nurture a generation of young people who are not only equipped to solve current challenges but are also prepared to lead the country into a new era of development.
Conclusion

The transformation of Liberia’s youth from agents of violence to drivers of change requires a holistic approach that prioritizes education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. While the challenges are significant, regional examples from countries like Ghana and Nigeria show that youth empowerment, when supported by the government, can lead to meaningful contributions to national development. Liberia must recognize the potential of its youth and create policies that foster research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the country mustn’t delay action on research and development, as integrating research findings into policy decisions is vital for effective and sustainable development. By doing so, Liberia could harness the energy and creativity of its youth to address the pressing issues of today and build a sustainable and prosperous future. The future of Liberia rests in the hands of its young people, empowering them to innovate is key to unlocking that potential.

About the Author:
Lionel Weah Toe is an emerging Population Statistician and Research Fellow who is awaiting graduation with a Master of Arts in Population Studies from the University of Ghana. His research interests focus on migration, women’s empowerment, and various population-related issues.

Lionel holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Procurement from the Liberia Institute of Public Administration and a Postgraduate Certificate in Banking and Finance from the Banking Institute of Liberia. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the African Methodist Episcopal University. With a strong academic background and a commitment to advancing knowledge in population studies, Lionel is dedicated to contributing to meaningful research and policy development in his field.
Email: lionelwtoe212@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +231776778090

References
Adebayo, O. (2021). Innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Transforming challenges into opportunities. African Journal of Business and Innovation, 15(3), 89-101.

Chambers, R., & Conway, G. (2019). Sustainable livelihoods and food security: Practical concepts for the 21st century. Oxford University Press.

LISGIS. (2022). Liberia demographic and socio-economic data report. Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services.

Poku, A. A., & Oppong, S. K. (2020). Youth innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of African Development, 22(4), 45-59.

UNDP. (2017). Liberia human development report: Youth empowerment and national development. United Nations Development Programme.

UNDP. (2020). Youth innovation in health: Leveraging technology for a better future. United Nations Development Programme.

United Nations. (2020). Youth Empowerment and the Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations Development Programme.

World Bank. (2019). The role of youth in African economic growth: A study of policy frameworks and opportunities. World Bank Group.