Monrovia, Liberia — The Liberia Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 brought together national stakeholders, policymakers, civil society leaders, and international partners to deliberate on the future of Liberia’s digital space. The forum focused on advancing digital governance, innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development in line with global standards.

YARD-Liberia, Inc. was proudly represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Dennis Kromah, who served as a panelist during one of the high-level discussions. Mr. Kromah shared insights on how digital governance directly impacts youth empowerment, education, and innovation, stressing the need for inclusive policies that enable young people to become active creators not just consumers of technology.

Key Highlights of YARD-Liberia’s Contribution

• Youth & Digital Governance: Kromah emphasized the importance of involving youth in internet governance structures, noting that their voices are critical in shaping policies around data privacy, cybersecurity, and innovation.
• Innovation & Opportunities: He highlighted how digital tools can unlock opportunities in entrepreneurship, vocational training, and civic participation, if access is expanded equitably across Liberia.
• Bridging the Digital Divide: A central point of his intervention was the urgent need to bridge Liberia’s digital gap between urban and rural areas through infrastructure investment, affordable internet, and digital literacy training.
• Partnership & Collaboration: He called on government, private sector, and development partners to work closely with grassroots organizations like YARD-Liberia to implement community-level digital empowerment initiatives.

Impact & Significance

YARD-Liberia’s participation demonstrated the growing role of civil society organizations in shaping Liberia’s digital future. The Executive Director’s contribution resonated with both national and international leaders, reinforcing YARD-Liberia’s position as a youth-focused voice in digital governance and innovation.

By engaging in such high-level platforms, YARD-Liberia continues to bridge policy discussions with grassroots realities, ensuring that young people—especially those in marginalized communities—are not left behind in the digital age.