Liberia: PYPP Graduates Urged to Embrace Career Development

Fellows of the President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPs) Class VIII being sworn as Civil Servants by the Director General of the CSA, Hon. James Thompson

 

The 63 graduates of three cohorts (VII, VIII and IX) of the President's Young Professionals Program (PYPP)  were urged by the motivational speaker at the graduation ceremony to pursue career development in order to advance professionally.

Dr. Musa Dukuly, Deputy Governor for Economic Policy  at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), said it enhances their ability to network and enables them realize the value of arriving at work on time and finishing duties.

“It also helps to put you on the path that will enable you to engage in open conversation on issues of importance. Career development path is a game changer that is helping to change dreams into reality,” he said. 

According to him, most universities in Liberia lack programs to help students become innovative and creative. “Hence, that’s why this PYPP program is relevant. It has provided that opportunity for our young people to be able to improve their knowledge and skills in order to go into the public and private sector and optimize their potential,” said Dr. Dukuly. 

Speaking on the topic, “Leveraging the opportunity to career path, practical experiences, skills, development and networking”, the CBL Deputy Governor advised the graduates that, in order to be prepared for the job market, they must be able to use practical knowledge in communicating, multitasking, learning to deal with diversity, managing information properly, upholding integrity and dealing with deadlines in making critical decisions.

The President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) is a program that supports the country's effort for a stronger and responsive workforce to enhance better service delivery, accountability, and transparency through leadership and training opportunities for young talented Liberians. Each cohort runs for two years. 

Since its inception in 2009, the program has recruited, placed and mentored  over 180 young professionals across more than 29 government ministries and agencies, as well as 4 private sector institutions. 

“As part of the theme for International Youth Day, Intergenerational Solidarity, Creating a World for All Ages, the choice of this topic is informed by the growing concern of job readiness for our youths and the appropriate strategy to enhance efficiency in the labor force of our country, my topic seeks to answer three fundamental questions today, what are the practical experiences to career development, what skills to acquire and does networking matter,” Dukuly said. 

The PYPP is in a private-public partnership with the Civil Service Agency of Liberia. Those recruited into the program are placed at different government ministries and agencies, and monitored by mentors and supervisors. 

During the ceremony, mentors, supervisors, alumni and graduates were allowed to give testimonies of how the program has continued to impact their lives professionally. 

Dr. Francis Kateh, Chief Medical Officer, Republic of Liberia, who has served as mentor to many PYPP graduates, congratulated them and encouraged them to continue to explore and make Liberia proud. 

T. Nelson Williams, CEO, CONEX Oil and Gas Holdings, said the private sector has not been benefiting from the PYPP program, so he encouraged PYPP to place President’s Young Professionals with  his company and the  Liberia Cement Company, (CEMENCO) , which are now benefiting from the program. 

“My testimonial is directed with one of our PYP graduates. This young man is the first to come into office and the last to leave. When he’s leaving, he stops by every office to see if there’s anything else to do,” Mr. Williams said.

He encouraged the graduates to always exhibit a good attitude, and be  mindful of how to approach life and how to execute their work in a professional manner.

“When 64 candidates are applying for a job. Think about what you will bring to the table that will give you a competitive edge over the next person for that job,” Williams added. 

Atty. Christine Tenneh Dono, one of the graduates, narrated that her journey to becoming a PYP has been of growth, development and aspirations. “As a college student, I was involved in student leadership and community service. But with a growing interest in becoming a public servant, I was inspired by seeing various graduates placed at various ministries and agencies through the PYPP program and soon started daydreaming of seeing myself in a similar position.”

USAID Mission Director Jim Wright congratulated the graduates for their  accomplishments to successfully complete two years of service. “We commend and thank you for the discipline you have demonstrated during your fellowship. Other bright and young Liberians are even following your footsteps. We are very pleased with the government's long term goals to support the PYP Program since 2009.”

D. Zeogar Wilson, Minister of Youth and Sports, reaffirmed President George Manneh Weah’s uncompromising commitment to not only sustain the program, but to reach with more innovative and creative programs of his predecessors in the context of continuity and consistency. “The PYP has become an integral part  of our public service delivery strategy. This program has made tremendous impacts in our public sector.”