The Liberia Annual Conference (LAC), the United Methodist Church (UMC), has launched its first taskforce on at-risk youth and substance abuse in Liberia.
The launch is in fulfillment of the appointed commission to tackle “zogoes” or at-risk youth in the country by the church’s Resident Bishop, Samuel Quire, during this year’s LAC convention held in Ganta City, Nimba County.
“Accordingly, the United Methodist Church, Liberia-area, is deeply concerned about the increase in at-risk youth among the youthful population of Liberia. The Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) as a body of Christ in Liberia, has decided to join hands in the country in addressing the issue of vulnerable youth in Liberia,” Resident Bishop, Samuel Quire, stated.
Already, according to information, there are thousands of young people in the ghettos in the country.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, held at the Methodist Compound, 12th Street, the UMC Resident Bishop noted that the LAC is a body of Christ interested in the growth and development of the society.
According to him, UMC had intervened in the narcotic substance crisis even prior to the official launch of the taskforce. He said the ministry of Rev. Caleb Dormah, one of UMC pastors, has been in the ghettos.
The LAC Resident Bishop said the workings of Rev. Dormah in the various ghettos over the years in Liberia motivated the UMC to commission a taskforce within the LAC to tackle issue of at-risk youth in the country.
Bishop Quire said the LAC has over the years intervened in the psychosocial needs of Liberians since the civil war ended through the S. Edward Peal Center of Psychosocial counseling, providing some support to other sectors in Liberia since its establishment. He stated that the church affirms all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God.
According to Bishop Quire, the newly inducted taskforce to tackle at-risk youth or zogoes of the UMC was designed to restore at least 1,000 young people per year to normality, skill and reintegration into their communities.
In response to the added task given to the LAC At-Risk Youth Ambassador, Rev. Dormah and his team promised to work more in recruiting more people from the ghettos for the glory of God the Father.
There were several speakers who pledged their unending support to the UMC taskforce in tackling the problem of “zogoes” in the country.
At the ceremony, Bishop Quire certificated members of the taskforce.
The LAC Taskforce for at-youth members are Rev. Caleb Dormah, Taskforce Ambassador; Dr. Lawrence Bropleh, Taskforce Chairman; Cllr. Natu Oswald Tweh, Member; Nathaniel Kelvin, Member; Rev Rose Farhat, Member; George Johnson, Member; Mother Lango Williams-Toe, Member; George Sarwah Stewart, Member; Adolphus Dupley, Member; Jefferson Knight, Member; and Yamah Dunbar, Member.
The taskforce launching ceremony was well attended by officials and members of the LAC, guests, some at- risk youth, among others. It was climaxed with a fundraising meant to support the workings of the taskforce.