For any post-war country like Liberia, there are several challenges the government and citizens face for long period: broken education system and many uneducated citizens; poor health system; economic crisis; underdevelopment among others.
To address these issues, the youth must play a major role. They were the children that were used and abused during the troubling years, and they are the people who suffer the aftermath. And to have a solution, they must be stakeholders in order to develop sustainable solutions.
In this light, Liberian youth have recognized their role in national reconstruction and development. This is evident in the increased number of youth working in national government, running businesses, heading civil society organizations, and making great contributions to the country. They are involved with innovative and transformative activities and Liberia, Africa, and the world have started to notice.
Two weeks ago, young Liberian entrepreneur, Mahmud Johnson, who is the Founder and CEO of J-Palm Liberia won the Environmental Prize in the African Entrepreneurship Award which initially received over 3,500 applications from all over Africa.
While Liberia is still celebrating this great achievement, another Liberian youth activist, Jarius Andrew Greaves has been nominated for the Africa Youth Award. Greaves, who is the founder and executive director of the Youth Network for Reform, is the only Liberian of 170 African youth from 35 countries to be nominated for this year’s Africa Youth Award. Greaves is nominated for the “Leader of the Year†category, among other categories, including best entrepreneur, best male, best female, and others.
The voting process is being carried out on the awards’ website, and Greaves is listed under the “Leader of the Year†category as the fifth person. The process is open until December 28, 2016 and winners will be announced on January 1, 2017.
The Africa Youth Awards is a prestige award scheme launched in 2014 with the prime aim of appreciating the works of young Africans in Africa and the Diaspora. The initiative was inspired by the lack of recognition for young Africans who have selflessly dedicated their lives to making sure the future of Africa is optimistic.
Greaves, who is currently serving as the head of media and communications for the West African Youth Camp, has about 10 years of experience as a youth leader, activist, entrepreneur, mentor and trainer. In 2008, he founded the Youth Network for Reform, an organization with a goal of developing and reintegrating participants and victims of Liberia’s 14-year civil crisis into a society where their potentials can be harnessed to make impact. Over the period, YONER Liberia has contributed extensively to the development of Liberian youth through capacity building programs and community engagements.
Greaves has represented Liberia at several international functions including the African Union Inter-Generational Dialogue and Head of States Summit in Addis Ababa and the 2nd African Youth Conference on Democracy and Good Governance in Maputo.
Greaves has also being instrumental in establishing chapters of international organizations including the World Youth Alliance Liberia Chapter, where he served as National Coordinator, and the current African Union Club Liberia Chapter, where he serves as National Chairman.
Greaves’ chance of winning this award lies in the support of Liberians who are passionate about youth development and empowerment – and this will be done through voting. As the only Liberian in the entire award, this will highlight the great importance of positive youth actions in Liberia and create a platform for many other young Liberians to participate moving forward.
Voting takes place at this link.
Featured photo by US Embassy in Monrovia