Bong County: LOIC to Graduate 223 Students

GBARNGA, Bong County, May 15, 2026 — The Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center (LOIC) in Bong County is set to graduate 223 students from various vocational and technical programs during its 2026 graduation ceremony scheduled for today, Friday, May 15, at the institution’s campus in Gbarnga.

The graduates include 81 females trained in disciplines such as agriculture, electricity, general construction, tailoring, and computer studies.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, LOIC Manager Rachel M. Paye praised the Bong County administration, development partners, and other supporters for their significant contributions to strengthening vocational and technical education in the county.

“We want to thank the county leadership, Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, the senators, representatives, and the County Council for supporting our young people,” Madam Paye stated.

According to her, Bong County authorities provided approximately US$21,000 in assistance to support students enrolled at the institution, a move she described as historic and impactful for vocational education in the county.

Madam Paye noted that the support enabled the institution to enroll and train more than 250 students through scholarship opportunities, especially at a time when many young people could not afford technical education.

She explained that the assistance also helped attract partnerships with organizations, including the Institute of European Cooperation and Development (IECD) and Eco Energy, which supported the agriculture and tailoring departments, respectively.

The LOIC Manager emphasized that vocational and technical education remains critical to addressing youth unemployment and promoting self-employment opportunities across Liberia.

“There is no nation that can be built without technical skills,” she said.

According to her, agriculture has now become one of the institution’s strongest and compulsory programs because of its importance to food security and national development.

She disclosed that students in the agriculture department benefited from practical training in vegetable production, agroecology, and climate-smart farming techniques through support provided by IECD.

Madam Paye further revealed that LOIC is expanding efforts toward smart agriculture and plans to introduce additional programs in livestock production and animal science in the future.

Several graduating students also expressed gratitude to the institution and its partners for providing them with life-changing vocational opportunities.

Rachel T.S. Nyumah, a student from the tailoring department, said the training has equipped her with practical skills to become self-reliant and support her family financially.

“We need more support and more machines so we can continue learning and help others,” she appealed.

Another graduate from the agriculture department, Marian Flomo, said the program significantly improved her knowledge in vegetable farming, soil preparation, and modern planting techniques.

“I can now grow vegetables on my own,” she explained.

Daniel Paye, another prospective graduate sponsored by IECD, described the training as transformative, noting that it exposed students to agriculture, solar installation, and construction-related skills.

“Everyone cannot work in offices. Some of us need to learn skills that can help us survive and contribute to national development,” he said.

The graduation ceremony is expected to bring together county officials, development partners, parents, students, and community members to celebrate the graduates’ achievements and promote vocational education as a pathway to empowerment and national growth.

LOIC management says activities marking the graduation will begin at 8:00 a.m., with several county leaders and stakeholders expected to attend.