I am pleased to disclose that since my alignment with Youth for Change, Inc., I have been privileged to have attended several seminars and workshops aimed at building capacities. One of such noticeable seminars is the Global Leadership Summit-Liberia where I merited not only certificate but also acquired knowledge that will be used positively in our quests for the evidential change at Youth for change, Inc. Aside from my academic degrees, I have also merited several other certificates from professional development seminars for school administrators and teachers under the auspices of the Wesleyan School System of Liberia. 

My address at the forum will primarily focused on the challenges faced by most developing nations when it comes to youth empowerment. As we know, youth empowerment plays a pivotal role in building a cohesive and resilience society. It is an open secret that most developing nations especially in Africa (with Liberia being case study) have continued to flag the issues of youth empowerment. This empowerment ranges from educational opportunities, helping young people to actualize their true potentials and talents. And lastly my address will proffer recommendations that will enhance a genial youth empowerment programs.

Education is one of the most powerful things in life. It allows us to find the meaning behind everything and helps improve lives in a massive way. But it is unthinkable for one to believe that education in one’s nation will improve without a robust measure put in place. Problems faced today in the educational sectors can be attributed to several reasons. Some of the reasons are as followed:

1. Lack of proper Monitoring and Evaluation system (M & E)

2. Lack of better incentives/salaries

3. Lack of trained, qualified and passionate classroom teachers

4. Lack of strong Parents Teachers Association (PTA)

5. Lack of innovations by school authorities and teachers

6. Lack of educational programs by national government. Etc 

As a trained classroom teacher with over eight years of teaching experience, I have also observed that many school administrators nowadays in Liberia are only after how much fees they collect each academic year instead of putting measures in place to produce qualities. From my surveys, I have also come to discover that many of the students in the Liberian schools have potentials, but the platforms have not been created for them. Additionally, the robustness of the Ministry of Education in monitoring and evaluation of schools is very weak. Most educational facilities and environments in Liberia are not learning friendly. Therefore, if we must curtail these nightmares in our educational sectors, there is a need that authorities become robust. We also need a national platform for our students. Youth for Change, Inc. has showed the way, and it is about time for national government to take the bull by the horns. 

I expect so many from the forum. Besides my interactions with colleagues at the forum, I expect to learn a whole lot from presentations by participants and facilitators. The presentations, lecture series and exchanges will be an added knowledge for me. Moreover, the forum will afford me a lifetime experience. And the knowledge acquired thereof will definitely be used to develop other young people in Liberia.