Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has entered a new chapter of leadership as Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah officially assumed office as Minister of Youth and Sports. The baton was formally handed over by the outgoing Minister, Cllr. Jerror Cole Bangalu, who now serves as Executive Director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC).
In his turning-over statement, Cllr. Bangalu emphasized that he departs the Ministry not with a sense of loss, but with fulfillment, confident that meaningful service has been rendered, seeds of reform planted, and strong foundations established for future growth.
The former Minister of Youth and Sports, among his key achievements, highlighted the development of a comprehensive Five-Year Youth and Sports Strategic Plan, designed as a results-driven framework to guide sustainable youth empowerment and sports development nationwide.
He also referenced notable progress, the National Youth Policy, and the National Peace and Security Plan. Further accomplishments during his tenure included, is the graduation of the 13th and 18th cycles of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) and the Booker T. Washington Institute Department of Technical and Occupational Training (BDOTC). The recruitment, training, and graduation of 150 cadets under the National Cadet Program.
Outgoing Minister Bangalu also recommended to the incoming Minister: The incoming minister must ensure that the TVET Commission Act is signed by the President, expand digitization across the Youth and Sports system, fast-track the enactment of a new Ministry Act to repeal PRC Decree 35, and commence construction of a permanent Ministry headquarters.
In her remarks, Atty. Kruah described the ceremony as more than a formal transition; it was the symbolic passing of the baton from a leader she described as her “traditional predecessor,” noting that she had previously succeeded Cllr. Bangalu as Unity Party National Vice Chairman for NEC and Inter-Party Affairs before now succeeding him as Minister.
Addressing employees, Minister Kruah made her leadership style clear. She described herself as a fast-paced and results-oriented leader who cannot operate in disorganized environments. She urged staff to take their responsibilities seriously.
“Don’t try to be my friend; do your work, and the relationship will be established,” she stated firmly.
As one of the youngest Ministers of Youth and Sports in Liberia’s history, she acknowledged the high expectations placed upon her leadership. She stressed that anyone who obstructs the Ministry’s progress will be asked to step aside in the interest of national development.
Minister Kruah openly acknowledged the challenges confronting the Ministry, including logistical constraints and inadequate office equipment. She attributed many of these limitations to the Ministry’s comparatively low budget allocation.
Recognizing that employee salaries remain modest despite the standard 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. work schedule, she called for improved productivity, punctuality, and task completion. In return, she pledged to advocate through the Civil Service Agency for salary adjustments and improved welfare.
“We want to build a culture of hard work and delegation here,” she emphasized.
In concluding her remarks, Minister Kruah reminded members of the Senior Management Team (SMT) that leadership demands responsibility, coordination, and transparency. She encouraged greater interdepartmental communication to promote inclusiveness and effective program implementation.
The well-attended turnover ceremony was graced by professional colleagues, political party executives, friends, supporters, and employees of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, marking a significant transition as MYS embarks on a renewed path of reform, accountability, and performance-driven leadership.
