Tubman Boulevard, 540 Community, Congo Town, Monrovia – Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia – May 2, 2026 — The Foundation for Research, Education & Empowerment (FREE Liberia) proudly celebrated the graduation of over 30 professionals from its flagship School of Value & Success (SVS) Cohort V at the YWCA Hall in Congo Town, Monrovia. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in advancing practical, value-driven professional development in Liberia.
Graduates successfully completed specialized training in high-demand fields, including Monitoring & Evaluation, School Leadership & Innovation, Mastering the Art of Research, Practical Data Analysis, Human Resource Management, and Procurement & Logistics Management, among others. The SVS program continues to equip participants with relevant, market-driven skills aligned with national development priorities.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Chris Z. Lan, Deputy Executive Director for Planning, Research, and Development at the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE), emphasized the critical role of education in developing the knowledge, skills, and character required to build a better society. He challenged graduates to apply their competencies with discipline, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose.
In his remarks, Dr. Charles Gbollie, CEO of FREE Liberia, described SVS as a transformational initiative designed to unlock potential, inspire greatness, and equip individuals with the mindset, values, and competencies needed to thrive. “Our programs are practical, life-changing, and impact-driven—preparing learners not just to succeed, but to lead and make meaningful contributions to society,” he stated.
Making a special statement at the event, Hon. Olubanke King-Akerele, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Board Chair of the Angie Brooks International Centre, described the SVS program as “a national investment in human capital.” She emphasized that Liberia needs professionals who are not only skilled but grounded in discipline, values, and purpose.
She further commended FREE Liberia’s broader impact, noting that initiatives such as trauma relief programs—implemented in partnership with national and international institutions—are addressing both professional and societal needs, including healing, resilience, and peacebuilding. She urged graduates to recognize that their achievement is not an endpoint, but a call to service: to deliver results, think critically, act with integrity, and solve real problems in real time.
Special remarks were also delivered by Marie Lauretta Hunter-Johnson, District Education Officer for Greater Monrovia School District 1D, who commended FREE Liberia for its commitment to building a skilled, disciplined, and value-driven workforce. She encouraged graduates to become agents of transformation within their communities and professional spaces.
The event also recognized six graduates from the Youth Advance Future Proof Skills Program, a five-month work-readiness initiative originally implemented under the USAID Youth Advance Activity in partnership with Education Development Center. Despite financial constraints affecting completion rates, FREE Liberia sustained the program through cost-sharing efforts, reaffirming its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainability.
In a context where youth unemployment remains a national concern and the gap between academic theory and practical workplace skills persists, FREE Liberia’s SVS program provides a timely and impactful solution. By integrating professional competence with strong ethical values, the program produces graduates who are prepared to contribute meaningfully across sectors—including education, government, business, and civil society.
FREE Liberia extends sincere appreciation to the National Commission on Higher Education for its continued policy support and to Ambassador Olubanke King-Akerele for her enduring leadership and inspiration. The organization remains committed to expanding its impact, with plans underway for the launch of SVS Cohort VI later this year.
FREE Liberia
Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia
Phone: +231 887 028 001 / +231 775 583 004
www.free.org.lr; info@freeliberia.org/
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