MONROVIA: President George M. Weah has disclosed plans by Liberian Government to construct playgrounds throughout the country to allow children or people to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.
He said the playground which is currently under construction in the PHP Community in central Monrovia will be dedicated this year December 2022 and indicated that he was very happy that Liberians from every part of the country usually go the “Invincible Park” to entertain themselves.
President Weah who did not disclose the total cost of the construction of the nation-wide playgrounds said a place like” the Invisible Park” constructed by the Liberian government is important to healthy brain development and it is through play that children, at a very early age, engage and interact in the world around them.
He spoke in an interview with journalists after a basketball game which was played between the Ministry of State and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Invincible Park in Sinkor, as part of event leading to the rehabilitation program for war effected youths or zogos in the country.
According to him, government’s plans to construct playgrounds throughout the country is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth and also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children.
The Liberian leader commended the Chairman of the National Steering Committee of the At-Risk Youth who doubled as Minister of Youth and Sports, D. Zeogar Wilson, and his team for their farsighted decision to transform the Youth Agriculture Training Center (YATC) in Bensonville City into a rehabilitation center to which he noted will help provide rehabilitation program for war effected youth or zogos in the country.
He said the rehabilitation of the At-Risk Youth is not only the responsibility of the government but all people of good will. Weah stressed that the rehabilitation center in Bensonville City will offer more skills training opportunities to the At-Risk Youth who will be at the center to acquire skills as planned by the National Steering Committee of the At-Risk Youth.
President Weah used the occasion to appeal to Liberians to volunteer their services at the rehabilitation center in any way possible, either to teach the At-Risk Youth who will be at the center to acquire various skills training programs, something he said, will enable them to become useful in the society again.
President Weah hoped that when they are useful again for the society, it would afford them the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the country.
He also appealed to Liberians to stop referring to the At-Risk Youth as “Zogos” because where they find themselves now is due to, maybe, the influence of friends but they are prepared and ready to graduate from such ugly conduction.
He stressed that referring to them as “Zogos” may look very harsh and also appears stigmatizing. The President used the occasion to encourage all Liberians to embrace At-Risk Youth as their own brothers and sisters.
He added that government is fully ready and committed to rehabilitee them and make them useful citizens once again. Written By T.R Dixon
