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By: Richard Williams/0775339618/ 0881084573/ [email protected]
Bendu Mote Town, Bomi County-Over the weekend, the West Africa Learning Center for Non-Till Agriculture International (WALCENTAI) celebrated its first graduation ceremony in Bendu More Town, Senjeh District, Bomi County.
A total of 19 graduates were recognized, comprising nine diploma recipients and ten certificate earners in diverse disciplines, including tree crop production, aquaculture, vegetable production, and rice production, among others.
The guest speaker, Mr. Elijah Sayewaa, urged graduates to embody integrity and strive for real societal change as they step into the agricultural sector.
Speaking on the theme: “Did You Finish Well,” Sayewaa challenged the graduates to consider how attentively they absorbed training and how their knowledge would reflect on the institution while driving tangible transformation in their communities.
He stressed that true commitment is demonstrated through the work they pursue in the field and the impact they make in society.
Mr. Sayewaa also called on the graduates to lead well and foster growth within Liberia’s agriculture sector, emphasizing that leadership with honesty and accountability will shape the future of farming in the country.
“The community will judge you not by your certificate, but by the integrity, honesty, and impact you exhibit in society,” Mr. Sayewaa said. “Commitment comes with the field you have ventured into. Lead well and foster growth in Liberia’s agriculture sector.”
Pledging unwavering support to the new graduates, WALCENTAI’s Country Director, Mr. Sylvester Kpai, announced that graduates would receive a startup toolkit to help them transition into the workforce and begin exploring opportunities beyond the classroom.
He noted that the institute would continue to create avenues for graduates and encouraged Liberians to take full advantage of agricultural education as a pathway to development.
“The institution will continue creating avenues for our graduates, while encouraging Liberians to make use of the Agriculture School,” Mr. Kpai said.
In remarks, Mr. Kpai recognized and appreciated representatives from Jenneh’s Farm and other partners who traveled from the United States to attend the occasion.
Their presence, he said, is vital to the growth of agricultural education and youth empowerment in Liberia.
Josiah Varney, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, commended the institute and its partners for creating opportunities to learn and apply knowledge, underscoring that the soil is a bank and that graduates must use their respective fields to make a positive impact on the agricultural sector.
“The soil is a bank,” Varney said. “We are not going to sit. We will use our respective fields to impact society, including the agriculture sector.”
The ceremony highlighted the school’s commitment to practical training and community engagement. The institution, located in Bendu More Town, Senjeh District, Bomi County, continues to position itself as a hub for hands-on agricultural learning and youth empowerment in Liberia.
A special remark from Mr. Jeffrey Miller, Board Chair of Jenneh’s Farm, a partner of the school, expressed excitement at seeing the vision come to life.
“I vow to lobby and continue supporting agriculture ventures in Liberia, especially this agriculture school,” Mr. Miller said. “The sector needs more technicians in order to achieve the results needed to enhance food security and sustainability in Liberia.”
