MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS LIBERIA, RWANDA STRENGTHEN YOUTH COOPERATION AS MINISTERS MEET IN KIGALI
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS
LIBERIA, RWANDA STRENGTHEN YOUTH COOPERATION AS MINISTERS MEET IN KIGALI
Kigali, Rwanda | September 25, 2026 —
Liberia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Atty. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, has held a courtesy meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Arts, Dr. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah, in Kigali, with both sides discussing opportunities to deepen cooperation in youth development, creative industries, mental health and student engagement.
The meeting took place on the heels of the Lone Star’s match against Rwanda and focused on strengthening the relationship between Liberia and Rwanda through greater youth to youth collaboration and the exchange of ideas and experiences.
Minister Kruah informed her Rwandan counterpart that Liberia will host the Mano River Youth Connekt next year and discussed opportunities for Rwanda to share its experience in strengthening Youth Konnect, which originated in Rwanda and now has a chapter in Liberia.
The Minister also briefed the Rwandan side on ongoing efforts to strengthen, revamp and rebrand Youth Connekt Liberia as the country prepares to host the regional gathering.
As part of the discussions, Minister Kruah confirmed her participation in Rwanda’s upcoming Youth Connekt in November. The Rwandan side also invited Liberia to consider bringing a small delegation of young Liberians, including young people in the creative sector, given Rwanda’s growing engagement with the creative industries.
Mental health was another key area discussed during the meeting. Minister Kruah informed the Rwandan delegation about the recent appointment of Maurice Gayflor, CIC, as Ambassador on Mental Health and expressed interest in connecting his office with the Rwandan team to explore opportunities for collaboration.
The discussion comes as young people continue to identify depression and other mental health concerns as issues requiring greater attention. The two sides expressed interest in exploring how existing youth and mental health initiatives can be connected to strengthen support and collaboration in this area.
Minister Kruah also shared information about Liberia’s youth development structure, programs and activities, including opportunities to further connect Liberian students and young people living in Rwanda with youth initiatives in the country.
The Rwandan side proposed a conference with the Liberian youth community in Rwanda during Minister Kruah’s November visit for Youth Connekt. The proposed engagement would provide an opportunity for both sides to begin developing a framework for sustained collaboration and greater integration of Liberian students and young people into relevant youth activities in Rwanda.
The meeting also resulted in an agreement to maintain regular communication and continue sharing peer to peer ideas, experiences and approaches to youth development.
Minister Kruah welcomed the proposed collaboration, particularly the opportunity to strengthen connections between Liberian young people in Rwanda and Rwanda’s youth initiatives, while deepening cooperation around Youth Connekt ahead of Liberia’s hosting of the Mano River Youth Connekt next year.
The engagement forms part of Liberia’s broader efforts to build strategic international partnerships that expand opportunities for young people through learning, cultural exchange, innovation, creative expression and youth leadership.
