Former House Speaker, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has advised young people seeking opportunities in government to focus on academic preparation, and practical skills development rather than relying solely on their political involvement or campaign contributions.
On the issue of public service appointments, Koffa said, government positions should be awarded based on qualifications and competence.
He said, appointing individuals solely because of their sacrifices during political campaigns would be unfair to both the country and the counties they represent.
“We advise all those who want to be around politicians to prepare themselves academically and practically for the jobs they aspire to hold. Nobody should expect to be appointed simply because of sacrifices made during a campaign. It would be unfair to the country or county to place unqualified people in positions of responsibility.”
He said, public institutions require capable and qualified individuals, who can effectively perform their duties and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Koffa highlighted his record of creating employment opportunities for citizens, who hail from Grand Kru County while he served as a speaker of the House.
He claimed that during his tenure as a speaker, a significant number of Grand Kru citizens were employed both in his legislative office and at the Capitol Building.
“We employed the highest number of Grand Kru citizens in my office and at the Capitol. Ninety percent of the people who worked in my office were from the county.”
Koffa’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about youth empowerment, employment opportunities, and the role of merit in public sector appointments.
He encouraged young people to invest in education, professional development, and practical experience as pathways to long-term success in public service and other careers.