MYS and Partners Mark One Year of At-Risk Youth Rehabilitation Program

MYS and Partners Mark One Year of At-Risk Youth Rehabilitation Program

Johnsonville, Liberia — The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS), in collaboration with the Liberia National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) and partners, has commemorated the first anniversary of its At-Risk Youth Rehabilitation Program under the theme “A Year of Healing, A Life of Hope.”

The anniversary ceremony, held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the LRRRC Rehabilitation Center in Johnsonville, brought together more than 200 beneficiaries, government officials, development partners, community representatives, and other stakeholders.

The rehabilitation initiative, launched on August 21, 2025, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is designed to address drug and substance abuse among vulnerable young people while providing comprehensive support, including education, psychosocial counseling, therapy, vocational training, family reunification, behavioral rehabilitation, and reintegration into society.

Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, Mohammed Ali, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to confronting drug abuse and trafficking in Liberia.

Ali recalled that during the Unity Party’s 2023 campaign, the party pledged to take strong action against individuals involved in bringing illicit drugs into the country. He pointed to recent cocaine seizures as an indication of the Government’s determination to combat the illicit drug trade, emphasizing that the Government has nothing to hide.

He described young people struggling with substance abuse as victims of a broader criminal enterprise, noting that much of the illicit drug trade is driven by individuals who traffic and sell drugs for profit.

“This Government will continue to fight the drug trade,” Ali declared, while calling on young people, families, and communities to support national efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking.

He stressed that young people who fall victim to drug use should be given opportunities for rehabilitation and recovery, while those responsible for trafficking and selling illicit drugs must face the consequences of their actions.

Also speaking, Deputy Minister for Youth Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sports,
Hon. F. Alphonso Y. Belleh, said the Government’s approach to rehabilitation goes beyond treatment, describing the initiative as a comprehensive package that prepares beneficiaries for successful reintegration.

According to Deputy Minister Belleh, rehabilitated young people must be equipped with practical skills that will enable them to become economically productive and regain the confidence of their families and communities.

He disclosed that Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah and her team are working toward the opening of the Youth Agriculture Training Center in Bensonville by October 2026, which is expected to receive the first batch of qualified rehabilitated youth for technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

“After acquiring skills, they have to be reintegrated into society, and the only way society will trust them is when they are doing something positive,” Belleh emphasized.

Serving as guest speaker, a university student and drug abuse survivor Tommy Mulbah shared his personal journey as an example of the possibility of recovery and transformation.

“I was once like you. I was rehabilitated by this very place, and today I am an active journalist,” Mulbah told the beneficiaries.

He urged young people to reject substance abuse and warned that drug use can destroy their education, careers, relationships, and future prospects.

Mulbah encouraged the newly rehabilitated beneficiaries to discover their identity, recognize their potential, remain committed to recovery, and return to their communities with a positive mindset.

He challenged them to become productive citizens who can contribute to national development rather than become a burden on their families and the country. He also appealed to the Government to sustain and expand support for young people affected by substance abuse.

Meanwhile, NADSAP Medical Coordinator Izetta Sheriff described the rehabilitation program as a national, multi-sectoral intervention aimed at helping at-risk young people overcome substance abuse, transform their behavior, rebuild their lives, and successfully reintegrate into their families and communities.

Sheriff commended the Government of Liberia, UNFPA, MYS, LRRRC, and other partners for their continued commitment to the rehabilitation and empowerment of vulnerable youth.

The anniversary also provided an opportunity for beneficiaries to reflect on their experiences and express appreciation to the Government of Liberia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, LRRRC, UNFPA, and other participating institutions for giving them an opportunity to overcome their challenges and rebuild their lives.

As the program enters its second year, stakeholders reaffirmed the need for continued investment in rehabilitation, skills development, psychosocial support, family engagement, and economic opportunities to ensure that young people who successfully complete the program are not only rehabilitated but also empowered to build productive and meaningful lives.

The celebration therefore served not only as a reflection on one year of intervention, but also as a renewed commitment to transforming “a year of healing” into a lifetime of hope, dignity, and opportunity for Liberia’s at-risk youth.