MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has officially launched its Youth Professional Internship Program (YPIP), aimed at equipping recent university and high school graduates with hands-on experience as they prepare to enter the job market.

A finance ministry release said the launch marked a renewed effort by the Ministry to strengthen Liberia’s human resource base, particularly in the public sector.

Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan, in the release, emphasized that the reintroduction of YPIP is part of a broader government strategy to empower young Liberians with practical skills, professional exposure, and a deeper understanding of public service.

Reflecting on his own early experience as an intern, Minister Ngafuan shared his personal stories of how internships shaped his path to public service, building his confidence and competence at a critical time in his life.

The Finance Ministry boss, in the release, further highlighted the role of integrity in public service, noting that the MFDP, as the steward of Liberia’s fiscal resources, must uphold the highest ethical standards.

At the same time, the Deputy Minister for Administration, Bill Jones, provided an overview of the internship program and shared his own professional journey.

Minister Jones, in the release, emphasized that YPIP is designed to expose interns to key areas such as public financial management, budgeting, policy execution, and administrative operations, thereby laying a strong foundation for future careers in the public sector.

The release further quotes Minister Jones as encouraging the interns to embrace a culture of service, accountability, and ethical behavior, adding that Liberia’s development depends on the emergence of a competent and principled generation of public servants.

The release noted that the Internship Program will also see youths being placed at other ministries and agencies, providing structured mentorship, on-the-job training, and career development support.