Paynesville-Youth Media Action (YMA), a Liberian youth-led media development organization, has graduated 22 young people from Cohort Seven of its Vacation Journalism School, marking another milestone in its effort to equip young people with practical journalism and communication skills.
The month-long program is designed to introduce young people to the fundamentals of journalism, public speaking, personal development, leadership, and other skills needed to confidently navigate the media and public communication space.
According to YMA Executive Director Varmah Kamara, 24 young people applied for the program, but 22 comprising 12 female and 10 male successfully completed the training.
Kamara said Cohort Seven was particularly different because participants moved beyond classroom learning and were given the opportunity to gain practical newsroom experience through deployments in various departments.
“This Cohort Seven was quite different from the others because, after learning the theories in the classroom, the students were deployed to different departments for practical sessions,” Kamara said.
He commended the graduates for their commitment throughout the program and expressed appreciation to the management of the Liberia Broadcasting System for its continued support of the initiative over the years.
Also speaking at the graduation, Deputy Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System, Hassan Kiawu, challenged the young graduates to take their training seriously and remain committed if they aspire to become professional journalists.
Kiawu, who also serves as Board Chairman of Youth Media Action, said many established media professionals began their careers through similar opportunities before rising to prominent positions in the industry.
“The former Director General of LBS, Estelle Liberty Kemoh, started just like all of you in this room and went on to occupy the highest seat in the media in this country. You, too, can do the same,” Kiawu told the graduates.
Some of the kids with Mr. Prince Kordorwalee during one of their sessions
He reaffirmed LBS’s commitment to supporting youth development initiatives, stressing that properly trained young people can help address the capacity gaps and brain drain affecting Liberia’s media sector.
For parents of the graduates, the impact of the program is already visible.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Prudent Sonpon and James Crowu thanked Youth Media Action for investing in the development of their children and expressed excitement about the changes they have observed since the start of the program.
A female student journalist confidently seat on the microphone
Mrs. Sonpon and Mr. Crowu in separate remarks said the training has helped their children become more confident and has contributed to noticeable improvements in their reading and writing skills.
The graduation brings to a close another edition of YMA’s Vacation Journalism School, while reinforcing the organization’s broader commitment to creating practical learning opportunities for young Liberians interested in journalism, communication, and leadership.
Mark N. Mengonfia is a Liberian journalist with 16 years of experience in the field of journalism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass communication, Correspond for The Associated Press and is currently a master’s degree candidate studying International Development.
