Liberia takes a bold step toward inclusive development by integrating disabled youths into its National Vacation Job Program, showcasing a strong commitment to empowerment, equity, and workforce participation for all citizens.
1. Introduction
In a landmark initiative under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, Liberia’s Ministry of Labour has taken a bold step toward inclusivity by inducting disabled youths and students into the 2025 National Vacation Job Program. Spearheaded by Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr., this move marks a new chapter in Liberia’s socio-economic development and disability empowerment.
2. Background: The National Vacation Job Program
Established to create temporary employment opportunities for school-age youths during breaks, the Vacation Job Program has seen steady growth in recent years. In 2025, the government set an ambitious target of engaging approximately 1,000 students nationwide, up from 360 in the previous year.
A cornerstone of Liberia’s youth employment policy, the program offers a minimum stipend starting at US$150 per month, with plans for future enhancements.
3. Inclusive Empowerment: Why Disabled Youth Inclusion Matters
Liberia’s population of persons with disabilities is significant. Social stigma and a lack of accessible infrastructure often limit educational and employment opportunities for this demographic. Integrating disabled youths into national programs is not just an act of charity it’s a strategic investment in national potential.
Under Minister Kruah’s leadership, inclusivity has become a core principle. During an induction ceremony on August 6, 2025, he emphasized that President Boakai regards young people with disabilities as an integral part of the country and deserving of meaningful participation in national development.
4. The Induction Ceremony: Symbolism and Substance
At the Ministry headquarters in Monrovia, the formal induction included both symbolic and operational messages:
- Labour Minister Kruah urged departmental managers and employees to welcome disabled participants with respect and to provide a harmonious work environment.
- He urged the participants to approach their roles with seriousness, discipline, and dedication.
- The Minister also highlighted that the program serves as a gateway for young people to assimilate into the productive labour culture.
This reflects a twofold goal: to dignify the experience of disabled participants and to ensure the program’s success as a workforce integration tool.
5. Scaling Up: Growth Compared to Past Years
The 2025 program shows a notable increase in both scale and inclusivity:
- The overall target of 1,000 student placements is a sharp rise over previous years.
- The inclusion of 26 disabled youths as part of the cohort demonstrates a deliberate expansion of program eligibility.
- Minister Kruah attributed the increased participation to the goodwill of investment partners and the government’s policy aimed at stimulating Liberia’s youth economy.
6. Strategic Aims: Inclusive Development
At the core of the policy framework is President Boakai’s national strategy to ensure that economic growth benefits all Liberians, especially vulnerable groups like disabled youth.
The Vacation Job Program, under that framework, serves multiple strategic objectives:
- Economic empowerment: offering financial support during school breaks.
- Skill building: exposing participants to workplace environments and responsibilities.
- Social equity: actively integrating disabled youths into mainstream initiatives.
7. Voices from the Program: Stakeholders Speak
- Director of Employment Services, Otis Wrehyu, expressed gratitude for the Minister’s proactive role in ensuring disabled youths were included in the recruitment process.
- Beneficiaries themselves praised the government for their selection, underscoring their commitment to perform diligently and uphold professional standards in their respective placements.
These first-hand accounts underscore the program’s dual aims: empowerment and accountability.
8. Broader Context: Disability Rights and Labour Policy in Liberia
Efforts by the Labour Ministry intersect with broader national protocols. Since 2005, the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) has been the official agency responsible for advocating for persons with disabilities and improving access to services and job opportunities.
In recent years, NGOs and government bodies have argued for stronger laws to enforce a 4% employment target for qualified persons with disabilities and promote tax incentives for inclusive hiring.
9. Practical Matters: Deployment, Mentorship and Accessibility
While specifics for each deployment vary by department, the Ministry has made it clear that hosts should:
- Provide mentorship and appropriate supervision.
- Ensure reasonable accommodations, including workspace access and necessary support.
- Promote a respectful and inclusive environment throughout the two-month placement period.
Minister Kruah’s remarks emphasize that these placements are not just symbolic but practical experiences intended to prepare participants for longer-term opportunities.
10. Reading Between the Lines: Why This Matters
This initiative’s importance lies beyond temporary jobs:
- It signals a government commitment to inclusion in policy and practice.
- It offers a pathway for public sector experience, useful for disabled youths seeking future employment.
- It fosters social cohesion by challenging stigma and promoting visibility of persons with disabilities in community and national projects.
More so, by integrating disability into mainstream development programs, Liberia is building a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
11. Conclusion: Toward a More Inclusive Future
As Liberia continues to rebuild and expand its economy, inclusive policies like the National Vacation Job Program offer more than temporary relief they lay the groundwork for systemic change. Empowering disabled youth today means building a nation where tomorrow’s leaders, professionals, and innovators are judged not by their limitations, but by their potential.
For more on the global context of inclusive employment, visit: https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/resources/employment.html
