By Williametta Edouarda Saydee-Tarr, Former Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, Republic of Liberia
This isn’t just another march; it’s a powerful and urgent call for genuine, lasting action—action that goes beyond mere photo opportunities and political posturing. It’s a united shout for a future where Liberia’s youth aren’t left behind, abandoned to the streets, and branded as hopeless.
Let’s be honest: the drug crisis didn’t spring up overnight, and solutions aren’t found in catchy slogans. Under President George Manneh Weah’s leadership, Liberia has taken meaningful, concrete steps to tackle the escalating drug issue and the troubling rise of “At-Risk Youth.” In June 2022, the government kicked off an ambitious National Fund Drive, pledging over US $13.9 million to rehabilitate and empower young people grappling with addiction, marginalization, and the deep scars of war and poverty. And we didn’t just talk the talk—we walked the walk.
The Weah administration made an initial commitment of US $1 million, followed by an extra US $2 million included in the national budget. This was a bold show of political will, not just empty rhetoric. The aim was to create a long-term, strategic plan to help our youth reclaim their dignity, skills, and future.
What stands out the most is how inclusive and collaborative this effort has been. We didn’t pretend to have all the solutions. We brought in civil society organizations, women-led NGOs, Liberian experts, and our international development partners—including UNDP, UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, African Development Bank, IMF, and members of the diplomatic community. Together, we started to carve out a sustainable path forward that can endure beyond political changes.
This national initiative builds on the earlier achievements of the SEED Project (Socio‑Economic Empowerment of Disadvantaged Youth), which, from 2019 to 2021, helped nearly 590 young Liberians find their footing—many of whom went on to start their own small businesses and reintegrate into their communities. The programs included detox and psychosocial counseling, vocational and technical training, family reintegration and social support, as well as job creation and small business development. This wasn’t just a campaign gimmick; it was a heartfelt policy direction grounded in love for our country and respect for the dignity of every young Liberian.
President Weah’s approach to addressing drugs was similar to his war on rape and gender-based violence. In September 2020, he declared rape and other forms of sexual violence a national emergency in Liberia. The government stated its commitment to addressing the issue, which has been a major concern in Liberia. As part of the initial measures, the government allocated $2 million to fight against rape and sexual and gender-based violence. This funding was part of a broader set of measures, including, the creation of a National Sex Offender Registry, and the establishment of a National Security Task Force on SGBV. Additionally, the government acquired four DNA machines with support from partners to aid in the investigation and prosecution of rape cases.
Now, fast forward to today—what do we see? Empty promises. Silence. A facade. A government acting as if there’s no roadmap, no progress to build on, no foundation laid. This isn’t just a disservice to Liberia’s youth; it’s a betrayal of the very future we claim to safeguard. To those in leadership roles now: this is not the time for confusion or procrastination. The groundwork has already been laid. The strategies are in place. The partnerships are established. What we need now is the political will and moral clarity to take action.
We say: NO FREE PASS. No more pretending this issue is new. No more acting like the path forward is unclear. No more ignoring the plight of at-risk youth. The future of Liberia hinges on the decisions we make today. Let’s say no to drugs, but even more importantly, let’s say yes to real action. Let’s build, not just point fingers. Let’s act, not just pretend.
