Liberia: Weah Donates L$3M to First High School Project Sarkonedu, Lofa

Sarkonedu, Quardu-Gboni, Lofa County — President George Weah has donated L$3 million to help finance the construction of Sarkonedu High School in Quardu-Gboni, Lofa County.

The high school, which is at the verge of becoming the first ever secondary school in Quardu-Gboni since its establishment as a district in 2004, is being constructed by citizens of Sarkonedu under the banner, Sarkonedu Development Organization (SDO).

And as a way of buttressing the citizens’ effort, President weah over the weekend made the donation to help speed up the remaining work on the project and as well as some modern components to the structure.

Deputy Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa, made the donation on behalf of the President at an event commemorating the dedication of school in Sarkonedu on Saturday.

Koffa said President Weah and the CDC-led government are determined to construct schools and assist communities to construct schools; and will continue to demonstrate this by making significant financial commitments in the sector and the Government as the largest contributor to the sector.

The President, through his proxy at the event, said his administration is passionate about education and believes that, for Liberia to continue on a trajectory of sustainable growth and development, it is imperative that Liberia develops the minds of the youths irrespective of their locations.

“The donation is the President's way of enhancing students’ quest for education in Sarkonedu,” the Deputy Speaker said.

Koffa made the donation when he served as Guest Speaker at the 1st Anniversary of the Sarkonedu Development Organization (SDO), which was colorfully attended by over 5,000 citizens of Sarkonedu, who also participated in the fundraising to complete the school.

Quardu Gboni District is the newest of the seven administrative districts of Lofa County, and the district is predominantly Mandingoes who are all Maliki Muslims.

Located on the outskirts of Voinjama, the headquarters of Quardu-Gboni holds the seat of the representative of the area, Rep. Mariamu Fofana — the Chairperson of the House of Representatives’ committee on Education and Public Administration.

The donation from the President is a fulfillment of a promise made to the people two years ago. The assistance comes at the back of requests made by residents at the Town hall meeting held during his tour of the county in 2021. The citizens told the President about the need for the establishment of a TVET program in the area in order to build the capacities of the many young people in the district.

They also told him that there was a need for security protection in their district through the erection of a Police Station, a health and youth centers, and an Agriculture program. They also talked about the construction of farm to market roads including women empowerment and market houses among others.

The President, however, pledged his government’s support to the district, especially in road infrastructure, healthcare, job creation, youth and women empowerment among others.

He urged them to collectively work with their lawmakers in order to help improve their current living conditions.

Koffa, the Representative of Grand Kru County District #2, who also happens to be a son-in-law of Sarkonedu, donated L$1.5 million. On behalf of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jenneh Yekeson, he also donated L$500,000.

The Deputy Speaker thanked the citizens of Sarkonedu and said the self-initiative of the citizens in constructing the school is wonderful, and urged other communities in Lofa and other counties to emulate Sarkonedu.

He opined that he hoped the school, when completed, would encourage more children to go to school and pave the way for more educational opportunities for hundreds of citizens in the District.

It may be recalled, on April 27, 2021, a heavy storm destroyed several homes in Sarkonedu, leaving several homeless. The district’s only junior high school sustained severe damage, leaving hundreds of school-going children out of school.  It is against this backdrop that the citizenry under the banner, Sarkonedu Development Organization, launched a campaign to construct a state-of-the-art high school and vocational center in the district.

Meanwhile, Sarkonedu Community gowned the Deputy Speaker and his wife, Mrs. Dama Yekeson-Koffa, a daughter of the community, for their continuous support.

The community also gave the Deputy Speaker parcels of land to build his house and be considered a son of the community.

Further, Lofa County District #4, through the Office of Rep. Mariamu Fofana, honored the Deputy Speaker and his wife with traditional attire.