Youth & Sports Ministry, UNICEF Strengthen Partnership to Support Adolescent Girls in Liberia

Monrovia Liberia: The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Liberia, and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have taken another step toward improving the lives of adolescent girls across Liberia with the signing of a new partnership agreement on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

By: Lawrena Wesseh

The agreement falls under the Action for Adolescent Development (A4AD) program, which focuses on helping out-of-school and vulnerable children and adolescents gain access to education, life skills, vocational training, and economic opportunities through financial support.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah described the partnership as important to creating better opportunities for young people, especially girls who continue to face challenges in education, health, and protection.

She praised UNICEF for its continued support to Liberia’s youth sector and stressed the need for stronger cooperation among government institutions working with young people.

“We want to improve coordination, monitoring, and accountability so that the resources invested in these programs produce meaningful results for Liberia’s young people,” Minister Kruah said.

According to her, the Ministry plans to work closely with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and the Ministry of Education to ensure resources are properly used and programs have a greater impact on adolescent girls across the country.

Minister Kruah also assured UNICEF that the Ministry remains committed to transparency and proper monitoring of projects carried out under the partnership.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Country Representative Andy Brooks welcomed the initiative and praised the Ministry for embracing a collaborative approach.

Brooks noted that adolescent girls remain one of UNICEF’s key priorities in Liberia because many continue to struggle with limited access to education, healthcare, and protection services.

He emphasized that stronger partnerships and coordinated efforts are necessary to help young girls build better futures and contribute positively to Liberia’s development.

The new agreement further strengthens the longstanding relationship between UNICEF and the Ministry of Youth and Sports as both institutions continue efforts to empower young people and expand opportunities for future generations.