Liberia: MYS Minister Kruah Proposes PPP to Revamp Youth Agriculture Training Center - FrontPageAfrica

MONROVIA –The Minister of Youth and Sports, Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah, has proposed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to restore and modernize the Youth Agriculture Training Center (YATC), one of the ministry’s largest vocational training institutions.

Located on approximately 1,500 acres in Bensonville, Montserrado County, the center is considered a key asset for advancing youth skills development and agricultural training in Liberia.

During her first official visit to the facility on Saturday, March 21  as part of a nationwide assessment tour, Minister Kruah observed that YATC faces serious operational and security challenges.

Highlighting the scale of the task, she called for a bold and practical approach to revitalization, stressing that a PPP arrangement would help attract private sector investment while preserving the center’s core mission.

“If we are to achieve meaningful results, we must engage partners who can help deliver,” she said. “That will be my approach under this leadership.”

Minister Kruah emphasized that transforming the institution will require openness to collaboration and external expertise.

She disclosed plans to engage key government institutions—including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Investment Commission to attract credible investors.

She noted that the proposed PPP initiative is expected to unlock the full potential of the center, positioning it as a leading hub for agricultural innovation, vocational training, and youth empowerment.

“Any partnership under this model must retain the current workforce and ensure the school remains affordable, especially for young people from surrounding communities,” she assured.

Providing an update on conditions at the facility, the Center’s Director,  Joseph Adebodun, outlined major challenges, including severe understaffing, land encroachment by residents, illicit mining activities, and inadequate security.

He also revealed that ongoing security threats have prevented him from residing at the center.

To address these issues, Mr. Adebodun recommended a comprehensive resurvey of the property to establish clear boundaries, the construction of a perimeter fence, and the installation of visible signboards bearing the Ministry’s insignia.

He further proposed allocating a portion of the land for traditional leaders to build an office, noting that their involvement has previously helped ease land disputes.

The proposed reforms signal a renewed effort by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to reposition the Youth Agriculture Training Center as a cornerstone of skills development and agricultural advancement in Liberia.