GANTA, Nimba – A four-day training exercise for young entrepreneurs in Saclepea and Ganta has concluded.

The training provided education in business development and management skills for the youth.

50 aspiring entrepreneurs participated in the program, which was conducted by the Better Future Foundation and sponsored by the United States Embassy.

Rev. Augustine Akoi, the Lead facilitator of the Ganta training, spoke to journalists at the conclusion of the program at the Liberia International Christian College.

“The two days training is all about building the capacity of the young people on how to develop and manage their own businesses,” Akoi said.

He cited these skills as important in promoting self-reliance and independence. Akoi said those life skills were crucial for a safer and stronger Liberia.

“Entrepreneurship skills are financial business management skills that help young people to think, create, and manage their own businesses for the betterment of the nation,” he said.

The reverend said the challenge of those who benefited from the training is to make the maximum use of the knowledge acquired in order to transform their lives.

“If you develop a business… you can make your own money and decide on how you want it to be used. No one will decide for you because it is your own business and your own money,” he noted.

Akoi asserted that many people had fallen along the wayside in their individual markets because of what he called “lacking the skills and knowledge of running and maintaining their businesses.”

“Lots of our people end up in court for failure to repay money they borrow,” Akoi said. “This is all because the knowledge about how to manage the money is not there. We are overly convinced that this training today will help them greatly in their management abilities.”

On putting the knowledge acquired into proper use, one of the participants, George Gonquoi, explained that “most of the time, we young people only sit with our dreams and do not put them into actions; so at the end of the day we have nothing working for us.”

He added, “For me, what I learned here for the two days, I am going to put them into practice to improve my life. I have gathered a very good knowledge on how to manage my money and my business very well and this I will continue to apply throughout my business life.”

The training is expected to take place in four counties in Liberia including Margibi, Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Bomi.  At least 500 young people are expected to be a part of this year’s training.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah