The Special Representative of the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Amb. BabatundeAjisomo has urged the need for Liberian students to “have a proper career path.”
Giving a keynote speech Tuesday, 26 March at the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) during the observance of ECOWAS Volunteer Day (EVD), Amb. Ajisomo says “unfortunately, not only in Liberia,” proper career counselling is lacking in much of the society.
The one – day ECOWAS Volunteer Day graced by students from some high schools here was celebrated under the theme “Effectively Selecting Careers in a Fast Paced Modern Society.”
Participating students heard motivating messages delivered by a number of officials Tuesday, including Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Audrian Smith – Forbes; Mr. Benedict Roberts, Chair of ECOWAS Volunteers Program Coordinating Council; and Mr. KanioGbaiGbala, in an effort to inspire the participants.
In his message, Amb. Ajisomo notes that the few number of teachers that are available in schools are overstretched, some of whom he says are teaching up to four subjects, even outside their areas of specializations.
He says this is the reason why career counselling should be given the highest priority.
“For employers, investors are looking for competent people. They don’t have patience to wait to train people,” he says.
According to the ECOWAS Envoy, this is why some foreign companies are seen bringing in people from overseas [to work] when they establish offices in Liberia and elsewhere.
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He challenges students to bear in mind that for them to choose a suitable course that will have linkage to their wish, fulfilment and societal expectation, they need to get prepared starting from the primary school level.
While choosing career paths, Amb. Ajisomo also urges students to pay attention to moral values, maintain peaceful conducts, promote development and avoid acts like teenage pregnancy, rape and other vices that could hinder their chances to excel.
In remarks, Mr. Benedict Roberts, Chair of ECOWAS Volunteers Program Coordinating Council in Liberia calls on students to have the passion and motivation to be volunteers to change the lives of others.
He urges students to prepare themselves because there will come a time when ECOWAS will be looking for local volunteers.
Also speaking, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Audrian Smith – Forbes calls on students to follow the flow, go with their hearts and be compassionate about what they do in their career path, saying God has a way of taking you places.
She challenges the youth of today to take full advantage of the opportunity Liberia has to offer, citing agriculture, medical field, engineering, information technology and management, among others as huge career opportunities.
By Winston W. Parley
