— Kruah Challenges 1,100 Cadets at Historic National Launch
GBARNGA, Bong County – Liberia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Cornelia W. Kruah, has challenged more than 1,100 young Liberians selected for the 2026 National Cadet Program to seize what she described as a life-changing opportunity to prove their value, competence, and leadership potential to the country.
“This is your chance to prove yourself,” Minister Kruah declared passionately Friday during the official launch of the expanded National Cadet Program in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The launch ceremony brought together senior government officials, development partners, lawmakers, youth organizations, and hundreds of cadets from across Liberia’s 15 counties.
‘We Are Leaders of Now’
In one of the most powerful moments of her address, Kruah rejected the traditional notion that young people are merely “future leaders,” insisting instead that Liberia’s youth must begin leading immediately.
“I don’t believe that most of us here are future leaders,” she stated. “We are leaders of now. And this is an opportunity for us to prove that we are leaders of now.”
The Youth and Sports Minister described the cadet initiative as part of what she called a broader “paradigm shift” within the Ministry aimed at moving young Liberians “from exclusion to productivity.”
According to her, the government is intentionally creating pathways for young people to gain practical workplace experience, demonstrate professionalism, and transition into meaningful employment opportunities.
“At the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we are building a programmatic framework that moves Liberian young people from exclusion to productivity,” Kruah emphasized.
Program Expands Nationwide
The 2026 National Cadet Program represents one of the largest expansions of the initiative in recent years.
Deputy Minister for Youth Development Alphonso Y. Belleh disclosed that the program increased from 235 cadets in 2025 to 1,100 cadets in 2026.
He further revealed that the duration of the program has been expanded from three months to six months to allow participants to gain more meaningful work experience.
According to Belleh, more than 3,500 young Liberians applied for the program nationwide, but only 1,100 were selected following what he described as a rigorous vetting and recruitment process.
“Congratulations to you who have been selected from among 3,567 applicants,” Belleh told participants. “The process was tedious.”
Minister Kruah later announced that the program has now expanded from eight counties to all 15 counties across Liberia.
“We are pleased to inform you that the National Cadet Program has expanded from eight counties to 15 counties across the country,” she stated to loud applause from the audience.
‘We Do Not Look at Your Background’
Kruah also stressed that the cadet selection process was designed to ensure inclusion and fairness regardless of social status, political affiliation, or physical condition.
“We do not look at your current situation, your social situation, your physical appearance, your political affiliation, or your economic situation to select you,” she told the cadets.
The Minister recounted emotional encounters with some applicants during registration, including young mothers and persons living with disabilities, saying the diversity of participants reflects the truly national character of the initiative.
She challenged participants to reject stereotypes often associated with Liberian youth and demonstrate seriousness, discipline, and professionalism throughout the program.
“How many times have you heard that young people are very unserious in Liberia?” Kruah asked. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports now is showing that even if you have zero years’ experience, this is an opportunity for you to prove yourself.”
Ngafuan: Program Now Permanently in National Budget
Officially launching the initiative, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described the cadet program as a major investment in Liberia’s future workforce and leadership development.
“The National Cadet Program that I have launched today is fully funded by the Government of Liberia,” Ngafuan announced.
The Finance Minister disclosed that the government has now decided to permanently institutionalize the initiative within Liberia’s national budget.
“I assure you that the National Cadet Program is now taking permanent residence in the budget,” he declared.
Ngafuan urged host institutions to absorb exceptional cadets into permanent employment whenever possible.
“We pose absolutely no hesitation to employing exceptional young people who complete these programs,” he stated.
The Minister also reflected on his own internship experience at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company in 1988, describing it as a defining moment in his professional journey.
“That internship made me a stronger, smarter, and more practical person,” he recalled.
International Partners Praise Initiative
Representatives from several international organizations attending the launch praised the Liberian government for prioritizing youth empowerment.
United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Alieu Dias described Liberia’s youthful population as both a major opportunity and responsibility.
“No country develops accidentally,” Dias declared. “Transformation is engineered by generations that are prepared intellectually, morally, professionally, and patriotically for nation-building.”
Representatives from UNICEF and United Nations Population Fund also pledged continued support for youth-focused development initiatives in Liberia.
Youth Leaders Applaud Government
Youth organizations including the Liberian Students Union, Federation of Liberian Youth, and the Mano River Union Youth Parliament commended the government for significantly expanding opportunities for young people.
The organizations urged cadets to take the opportunity seriously and use the six-month program to build strong professional reputations.
“This is not a political favor,” one youth leader cautioned. “You have to prove yourselves.”
For many observers, the launch of the expanded National Cadet Program signals a major attempt by the Boakai administration to directly confront youth unemployment and create structured pathways into the labor market for thousands of young Liberians.
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