Monrovia, Liberia – While President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has been widely praised for nominating Atty. Cornelia Kruah as Liberia’s first youthful Minister of Youth and Sports, the move is already facing controversy, with student leaders alleging that Senator Abraham Darius Dillon is mobilizing opposition within the Senate to derail her confirmation.
In a statement issued Thursday in Monrovia, the umbrella student organization from Nimba County praised the President for selecting what it called a competent and qualified young professional to lead a ministry that serves Liberia’s largest and most dynamic population segment—the youth.
UNUCSA said the appointment reflects President Boakai’s commitment to inclusive governance, generational leadership, and regional balance, noting that the move signals confidence in the capacity of young Liberians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“The decision to entrust the Ministry of Youth and Sports to a young professional demonstrates recognition of the urgency of youthful leadership in addressing the challenges and aspirations of Liberia’s youth,” the statement said.
The organization also welcomed the fact that the minister-designate hails from Nimba County, describing the region as one with a long history of civic participation and contributions to Liberia’s socio-political development. According to UNUCSA, the appointment reinforces the principle of national inclusivity by ensuring that leadership reflects Liberia’s regional diversity.
As a body representing students and young people from institutions of higher learning, UNUCSA expressed strong confidence in Atty. Kruah’s ability to lead the youth and sports sector. The group cited her professional experience, commitment to public service, and understanding of youth-related challenges as key strengths that position her to advance policies on youth empowerment, sports development, education, and social cohesion.
However, the student union also raised concerns over reports that Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County may be mobilizing opposition within the Liberian Senate to block the confirmation of the minister designate. While acknowledging the Senate’s constitutional role in vetting and confirming presidential nominees, UNUCSA urged lawmakers to ensure that the process remains fair, objective, and guided by the national interest.
The organization further referenced what it described as Senator Dillon’s past public disagreements with prominent figures from Nimba County, including the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson and Cllr. Cooper Kruah. While affirming the importance of robust debate in a democratic society, UNUCSA cautioned that public discourse should be respectful, evidence-based, and free from actions that could be perceived as targeting any particular county or its people.
UNUCSA concluded by calling on the Liberian Senate to confirm Atty. Cornelia Kruah, arguing that her confirmation would demonstrate a commitment to merit-based leadership, youth inclusion, and national unity.
