Monrovia, Liberia - First Lady Clar M. Weah has challenged graduates of the second batch of the “Go Girl, Lead” program to take full responsibility for their future.

Mrs. Weah wants girls to take advantage of educational opportunities and prepare themselves through hard work and determination if they must succeed in life.

“If you want to succeed, life will give you the opportunity to succeed. You must prepare yourselves for your opportunity and work hard toward your goals,” Mrs. Weah averred.

She made the statement in the keynote address at the graduation ceremony of the “Go, Girl, Lead” Cohort- 2 at the Monrovia City Hall on Friday, October 22, 2021.

The First Lady praised the girls for choosing education, noting that it was the only key to a brighter future.

No matter their condition- poor or parentless- Mrs. Weah said, success is possible in as much as one works harder with persistence and determination.

Adding her voice to previous speakers to extol the girls’ brilliant performances of public speaking, fundraising, creative writing, and other skills acquired, Mrs. Weah, however, pointed out that it was not enough to only learn these skills.

She admonished the graduates to also apply the knowledge obtained to impact their society positively, better their lives, and justify their benefactors’ support.

“Graduates, you cannot learn and just sit. Do not be like other people who say they learn and did not do anything to put it into action,” the First Lady stated, urging them to make a difference.

“So, to you graduating class, I say wake up and take control of your lives.”

As a mother of the nation, a role model, and the epitome of womanhood in Liberia, Mrs. Weah shared her personal life experience with the class, motivating them to never give up.

First Lady Weah disclosed that women and girls’ empowerment remains her top priority and as such she was not only ensuring their protection and welfare but also empowering them through capacity building to enable them to make a decent living.

The ongoing construction of the City of Hope, the recently completed Decontee Elderly Home and the Army Wives Vocational Training Center, financial aid to female students in Liberia among others testify to Mrs. Weah’s commitment to the overall advancement of women and girls.

Having provided sufficient pieces of advice and motivation, the First Lady was optimistic that the girls were fully prepared to challenge the status quo and take their respective places in leadership at various levels.

“Congratulations to you! Continue to be inspired. Be hopeful. Be resilient. And be personally diligent and practically functional so you can one day be a success story,” said Mrs. Weah.

Meanwhile, President George M. Weah, who also graced the occasion, expressed profound admiration of the brilliant emerging female leaders while reassuring them of his continued support.

President Weah encouraged them to create their own opportunities if none is available instead of being idle and constantly waiting on their availability.

The “Go, Girl, Lead initiative, which is being conducted by Lipedia and Book Before Boys, seeks to train and mentor secondary school teenage girls to vie for leadership positions at various levels especially their respective student council governments.

In addition to that, girls are also trained to start small businesses and organize social impact ventures.

The graduation program marked yet another milestone in the quest for gender equality.

It attracted dignitaries including senior government officials, international diplomats, civil society groups, and parents among others, all of whom expressed support to the initiative.