Hard Work and Grace: Finance Minister Shares Success Formula at Youth Internship Launch

Monrovia, Liberia – The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has officially launched its Youth Professional Internship Program (YPIP) — a strategic capacity-building initiative aimed at equipping recent university and high school graduates with hands-on experience as they prepare to enter the job market.

 

The official launch ceremony, held on Tuesday, marked a renewed effort by the Ministry to strengthen Liberia’s human resource base, particularly in the public sector.

 

Delivering a special remark, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan 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 personal stories of how internships shaped his path to public service, building his confidence and competence at a critical time in his life.

 

“Working hard means showing up with the right attitude and the passion to make a difference,” he told the interns. “If you’re arrogant or rude, you won’t go far. Hard work and the grace of God — that’s the formula.”

 

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

 

“Our Ministry is responsible for managing the country’s economy and fiscal space. 

 

That comes with a high level of responsibility. We allocate money, and we see money — but even if we’re broke, we are not allowed to take it. 

 

That’s the kind of discipline and integrity you must cultivate.”

 

Also, speaking at the event was Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon. Bill McGill Jones, who provided an overview of the internship program and shared his own professional journey.

 

Minister Jones recounted how an internship opportunity 15 years ago helped set him on a path to public service.

 

“This program is more than just an internship,” he said. “It reflects the government’s broader commitment to youth empowerment and institutional development.”

 

Minister Jones 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.

 

He encouraged the interns to embrace a culture of service, accountability, and ethical behaviour, adding that Liberia’s development depends on the emergence of a competent and principled generation of public servants.

 

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Youth Professional Internship Program will see youths also being placed at other ministries and agencies, providing structured mentorship, on-the-job training, and career development support. 

 

The Ministry believes that investing in young talent today, it is laying the groundwork for a more effective and resilient public administration system tomorrow.