Liberia: CDC Dedicates Self-funded Vocational School

The ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has dedicated its own self-funded vocational and technical institution to help support the Liberian government’s effort in preparing the youths for the job market. 

Situated at the CDC party’s headquarters in Monrovia, the vocational school was recently dedicated and named after one of the party’s stalwarts, the late Munah Pelham Youngblood, former representative of Montserrado County.

Youngblood, the youngest member of the Liberian Legislature, was elected twice as representative for Montserrado District number 9.  She served as a representative from 2011-2020, the year of her demise.  Though it is common for Liberian politicians as individuals to erect schools and underwrite scholarships for their constituents, this might be the first time in the history of Liberia that a political party has constructed a vocational institution.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa who served as guest speaker at the dedicatory program, described the CDC as the youngest liberation movement in the history of Africa, while paying homage to President George M. Weah, the vision bearer of the party.

Deputy Speaker Koffa asserted that the establishment of vocational and technical studies is the first in the history of political parties in Liberia.

“It is astonishing to see in these contexts where we are not talking about the armed struggle as necessary, but we are talking about a struggle of empowerment, struggle to free your mind, a struggle to give you the independence of thought and action,” Koffa said.

“Never in the history of a political party has an institution dreamed to say we are not just going to build partisans to say A-woo say! (battle cry), or to come to the leaders for handouts, but we want to build partisans who are equally empowered — to be able to stand on their own so that they will not only be given to, but that they can give back to the institution. And that is the political history we are talking about. I challenge and defy anyone to come here with an example that is likewise in Liberia,” Koffa declared.

The Deputy Speaker, who is now an official of the ruling CDC, was once the Chairman of the Liberty Party and briefly courted the former ruling Unity Party. He said that in all of his political life, he has never seen such a meaningful project to be undertaken by a political party in Liberia. 

He attributed the party’s milestone achievement to the selfless effort of the party’s “young revolutionaries” who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the years.

“We have been into political institutions,” he said. “We have attempted to build a political party. We have never seen something like this that is happening here today. We give all of the praises to the young revolutionaries and emerging leaders. We all have seen their struggles, their sacrifices they made. They should have been doing something to better their lives, but they put their lives on the line for us to arrive here.” 

He called on the students to take advantage of the opportunity for a better future and pledged his unflinching support to the institution.

The event was graced by top officials including lawmakers and guests.  Also gracing the occasion was the Ambassador of South Africa to Liberia, Prof. Iqbal Jhazbhay, who revealed that there are discussions being held with the Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa to support the new vocational institution.

According to Prof. Jhazbhay the Chancellor has agreed, on behalf of the University, to form a partnership with ‘Munah Tech’ to benefit the students in digital and vocational disciplines.

He then recounted the longstanding relationship between Liberia and South Africa; especially the many supports Liberia accorded to leaders of the anti-Apartheid movement and the African National Congress (ANC) during their liberation struggle.

Meanwhile, the party’s Chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu, thanked President Weah for the vision and the partisans for supporting the project through the payment of dues and donations.

“This is the product of the sweat and dues payment capacity of the party’s members. This is the party’s own vocational institution you can be proud of. Thanks to all the partisans for their contributions — CDC USA, Europe and Australia."

He said although the school is owned by the Party, it will open its doors to all Liberians, regardless of party’s affiliations. According to him, Munah Tech will be “entirely tuition-free” for the many young partisans who are yearning for vocational skills.

He thanked the South African Ambassador to Liberia for soliciting support on behalf of the vocational school and expressed hope that the proposed partnership will benefit the students. He noted that the founding fathers of the CDC were inspired by the ANC’s fight for freedom.

“You (ANC) are the inspiration that brought us (CDC) into existence to deliver basic social services and economic freedom to our people and to our country. We are honored to have you seated here less than 100 feet from our sycamore tree, which is reminiscent of the history and sacrifice of all revolutionaries who have departed and are still living. We say thank you for being here. We hope the institution will do all it can to work with the school,” Chairman Morlu said, addressing the Ambassador.