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By Jeff Massah
MONROVIA, Liberia — The World Food Forum (WFF) Liberia National Chapter has onboarded new members with a call for young Liberians to move beyond meetings and discussions and take practical action to improve food production, agricultural livelihoods and food security.
The call was made by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Liberia Officer-in-Charge Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim during the onboarding ceremony held at the One UN Building in Monrovia on September 24, 2026.
Dr. Ibrahim challenged members of the WFF Liberia Chapter to measure their contribution not by their participation in meetings or visibility, but by the impact they create in communities.
“I want us to reflect on what are we actually doing to improve livelihoods on the ground,” Dr. Ibrahim told participants. “What are we achieving through this forum, through your association together? How is it contributing to improving agriculture, food security and livelihoods in our own country?”
He urged young people to consider their role in increasing domestic food production and reducing Liberia’s dependence on imported agricultural products.
“What role do you play in bringing more food to the table?” he asked. “What role do you play in making sure that you save money for Liberia by growing things in the country, rather than importing things from outside the country?”
Dr. Ibrahim pointed to Liberia’s livestock sector, where he said much of the meat consumed in the country comes from outside Liberia, despite the country’s availability of natural resources, including water and pasture.
“Liberia is blessed with the resources, natural resources, water, grass, whatever is there. And we have the human beings, we have the brains, we have the youth, we have the talent,” he said.
He challenged young people to identify specific areas where they can contribute as farmers, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers and advocates.
Dr. Ibrahim said young people should not be viewed only as the future leaders of Liberia, but should begin exercising leadership now.
“You should even be the current leaders, not future leaders,” he said.
He encouraged participants to identify opportunities within agriculture where their knowledge, skills and creativity could address practical challenges.
“Find some niche somewhere where you feel that, yeah, I can contribute, I have relative advantage here, I can do something,” he said.
He also described agriculture as a potential source of livelihoods and entrepreneurship for young people, urging them to look beyond traditional farming and explore opportunities across the wider agrifood system.
The World Food Forum was launched in 2021 by FAO as a global platform to empower young people and accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems.
The platform brings together youth, governments, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector to address food security, nutrition, climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development.
The WFF Liberia National Chapter provides a platform for young Liberians, including young women, to engage in agriculture, agribusiness, innovation, policy dialogue and leadership.
Esther K. Jusu, WFF Focal Person in Liberia, said the onboarding process is intended to familiarize new members with the global WFF mandate, the structure and activities of the Liberia Chapter, and opportunities for youth participation.
She said the Chapter also seeks to build a membership committed to collaboration, volunteerism and practical contributions to Liberia’s agricultural development.
“The WFF Liberia National Chapter is a platform for engaging young Liberians, particularly young women, in shaping the future of our agrifood systems through leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation,” Jusu said.
The Chapter’s priorities include increasing youth participation in agriculture and agribusiness, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting climate-smart agriculture, strengthening youth participation in policy and decision-making, and improving access to knowledge, technology, partnerships and opportunities.
Digital innovation
Dr. Ibrahim also challenged the young participants to use technology to develop solutions for Liberia’s agricultural sector.
He cited discussions around a proposed digital village initiative, arguing that young Liberian innovators could develop applications and digital tools capable of supporting communities and agricultural actors.
“Can somebody develop an app or a tool that can be upscaled to become a digital village tool in the country?” he asked.
The onboarding ceremony brought together young people interested in food systems and provided an opportunity for networking, collaboration and discussion of potential youth-led initiatives.
The WFF Liberia Chapter’s mission is to empower youth through leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, education and meaningful engagement in agrifood systems.
The challenge from the onboarding ceremony, however, was to translate that mandate into measurable action—particularly increased food production, stronger agricultural enterprises, innovation and improved livelihoods for Liberians.
The onboarding of new WFF Liberia Chapter members therefore marks more than an expansion of the youth network. It sets the stage for a growing community of young people expected to contribute ideas, partnerships and practical initiatives toward a more productive, inclusive and resilient food system in Liberia.
For the new members, the challenge emerging from the ceremony is clear: to translate membership, knowledge and ideas into tangible contributions to agriculture, food security and livelihoods across Liberia.
