By James Myking Suah, Grand Kru Correspondent

BARCLAYVILLE, August 17 (LINA) – The Government of Liberia has begun digital training for 139 young people in Grand Kru County, as part of President Joseph N. Boakai’s commitment to empower about 10 thousand young people across Liberia with digital skills in 2024.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the Barclayville Central High School main campus, Julius Gargard, Representative of Liberia Research Network stated that the two weeks intensive training is focused on General Digital Skills, E-Commerce and Digital Marketing, as well as Digital Survey (GIS), Data Collection amongst others.

According to Gargard, the initiative is in fulfillment of President Joseph Boakai's commitment made during his first state of the nation address in January, emphasizing the importance of leveraging Information Communication Technology (ICT) to create jobs for Liberian youths.

He added that the Liberian leader’s vision is to empower 10,000 young people with digital skills in 2024.

Gargard further disclosed that Grand Kru, Maryland, Sinoe, Nimba, River Gee and Grand Gedeh Counties are the first targeted counties for phase one of the program.

The Liberia Research Network focal person maintained that after the two capacity building training sessions, beneficiaries of the president's program will be well-equipped for the job market using the digital skills achieved.

He said the program recruitment was done through an online system and participants were selected based on the component they applied for during the vetting processes.

Gargard disclosed that the training is in four categories, with more than 139 potential participants for Grand Kru County.

Meanwhile, participants at the ongoing digital training expressed gratitude to President Joseph N. Boakai for the initiative and urged his government to direct more resources for youth empowerment opportunities across the country.

The program recently launched by president Boakai is jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Liberia Telecommunications Authority, and Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications respectively.