Minister Kruah Engages Liberian Diaspora in Minnesota, Strengthens Partnerships for Youth and Sports Development
Minister Kruah Engages Liberian Diaspora in Minnesota, Strengthens Partnerships for Youth and Sports Development.
Monrovia, Liberia | July 28, 2026 – As part of activities commemorating Liberia's 179th Independence Day, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, on July 26 held a high level engagement with members of the Liberian diaspora in Minnesota, United States, bringing together former student leaders, sports administrators, professionals, academics and youth development practitioners to explore new opportunities for collaboration with Liberia.
The engagement was organized in collaboration with former officials of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), the Liberia National Students' Union (LINSU), former university student leaders and other Liberian professionals based across the United States. Participants traveled to Minnesota from the East Coast and other parts of the United States to attend the gathering.
Although coordinated by the organizers, the engagement was open to the wider Liberian community, creating an inclusive platform for networking, reconnecting and exchanging ideas among Liberians who often interact only through social media.
Speaking during the engagement, Minister Kruah underscored the importance of harnessing the expertise, experience and goodwill of Liberians abroad to complement the Government's efforts in empowering young people and advancing sports development.
"The Liberian diaspora possesses immense knowledge, talent and resources that can help shape the future of our young people. This engagement demonstrates what is possible when we intentionally create spaces for dialogue, collaboration and shared purpose," Minister Kruah said. The discussions generated several practical proposals aimed at strengthening the Ministry's work.
Former sports administrators and professionals highlighted the growing number of young Liberians excelling in athletics across American high schools and universities. Participants encouraged the Ministry to establish stronger links with diaspora communities to identify and scout these athletes for potential inclusion in Liberia's national teams and other international sporting opportunities.
The meeting also explored ways of engaging former Liberian footballers residing in the United States. Participants proposed organizing exhibition matches during the National County Sports Meet, particularly since many former players return to Liberia during the December holiday season. Such exhibitions, they noted, could inspire young athletes while enhancing the profile of the annual competition.
Representatives of organizations working with at risk and vulnerable youth in Liberia also expressed interest in partnering with the Ministry through collaborative programming, accreditation and increased visibility for their initiatives.
In the area of technology and education, a Liberian doctoral researcher specializing in information technology presented opportunities for digital collaboration, including an educational application featuring past WAEC examination questions, study resources and learning tools. Discussions centered on how such innovations could complement the Ministry's youth empowerment and digital education agenda.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports views the engagement as an important step toward building stronger partnerships with Liberians in the diaspora and translating their expertise into meaningful programs that benefit young people across Liberia.
The Ministry remains committed to fostering sustained collaboration with Liberians at home and abroad as it continues implementing initiatives that promote youth empowerment, innovation, skills development and sports excellence.
