Minister Kruah Proposes Public-Private Partnership to Revitalize Youth Agriculture Training Center
Minister Kruah Proposes Public-Private Partnership to Revitalize Youth Agriculture Training Center
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah has proposed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to restore and modernize the Youth Agriculture Training Center (YATC), one of the Ministry’s largest vocational training institutions.
The Training Center is situated on approximately 1,500 acres of land in Bensonville, YATC holds immense potential for advancing youth skills development and agricultural training.
During her first official visit to the center on Saturday, March 21, 2026, as part of her nationwide assessment mission, Minister Kruah observed that the facility is confronted with significant operational and security challenges.
Emphasizing the magnitude of the task, Minister Kruah called for a bold and pragmatic approach to revitalizing the center, noting that a PPP arrangement would attract private sector investment while preserving the institution’s core mission.
“If we are to see real results here, we must be willing to bring in partners who can help us deliver. That will be my approach under my leadership,” she affirmed.
The Minister stressed that meaningful transformation at YATC will depend on openness to collaboration and external expertise. In this regard, she announced plans to initiate high-level engagements with key government institutions—including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Investment Commission—to attract credible investors to the project.
She noted that the proposed PPP initiative is expected to unlock the full potential of the Youth Agriculture Training Center, positioning it as a leading hub for agricultural innovation, vocational training, and youth empowerment in Liberia.
“Under this model, any partner coming in must retain the current workforce and ensure that the school remains affordable for our young people, especially those from surrounding communities,” she assured.
Providing an overview of the current situation, the Center’s Director, Mr. Joseph Adebodun, outlined several pressing challenges affecting the facility. These include severe understaffing, land encroachment by residents, illicit mining activities by nearby companies, and inadequate security presence.
He further disclosed that threats to his personal safety have prevented him from residing at the center.
To address these concerns, Mr. Adebodun recommended a comprehensive resurvey of the property to clearly establish its boundaries, the construction of a perimeter fence at the main entrance, and the installation of prominent signboards bearing the Ministry’s insignia across the property.
