Oil Palm Dream Bears Fruit as Yarkpawolo Public School Graduates 20 in Bong County

GOMUE TOWN, Bong County – A school financed and founded by Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo has graduated 20 sixth-graders, with award-winning author, filmmaker and educator Prof. Gregg Mitman challenging the students to dream beyond their circumstances and use education to transform their communities.

Delivering the keynote address at the school’s sixth Graduation and Fundraising Ceremony on Saturday in Gomue Town, Zota District, Mitman said the institution itself stands as a testament to the power of vision and perseverance.

“I came here fourteen years ago with a young man who is now the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo,” Mitman recalled. “He told me about a dream he had, not only to grow oil palm, but to build a school that would give children the opportunity to receive an education he never had while growing up.”

At the time, Mitman recounted, Yarkpawolo had only a nursery of oil palm seedlings imported from Ghana, with the hope that proceeds from the plantation would one day finance a school for children in Gomue and surrounding communities.

“Today, that dream has become a reality,” he said. “The palm trees have grown, they are producing fruit, and this school is now educating more than one hundred children.”

The school’s success, he said, demonstrates that one person’s vision, backed by determination and community support, can leave a lasting legacy.

Reflecting on Yarkpawolo’s childhood, Mitman noted that the EPA Executive Director first developed a passion for education while living as a refugee in Guinea.

“He was once a young boy just like many of you,” Mitman told the graduates. “He wanted to learn, he wanted to read and write, and he believed education could change his life. Today, his dream is changing the lives of many other children.”

“Dream big, work hard, stay disciplined, and use your education to make your families, your communities, and your country proud,” he urged.

Speaking at the ceremony, Yarkpawolo congratulated the graduates and reflected on his own journey from a child who began school at nearly 14 years old while in refugee exile in Guinea to becoming a Ph.D. holder and head of the EPA. He said he established Yarkpawolo Public School in 2018 to ensure that children in the area would have access to quality education without traveling long distances.

“Education is one of the greatest investments parents can make in the future of their children,” Yarkpawolo said. “Continue encouraging your children.”

Principal Mark N. Yourkpo reported that the school enrolled 120 students during the 2025-2026 academic year after a pre-enrollment of 125. Five students dropped out, while 115 completed the academic year. Of those, 106 were promoted and nine did not meet the promotion requirements. Twenty students graduated from Grade Six and will proceed to Grade Seven, and several were recognized for outstanding academic performance.

Veteran educator Joseph Urey encouraged the graduates to remain committed to their education, respect their parents and teachers, and strive for excellence.

Representing the parents, Sackie Mator thanked Yarkpawolo for bringing quality education to Gomue Town.

“Before this school was built, many of our children had to travel long distances to attend school,” Mator said. “Today, they have the opportunity to learn right here in their own community.”

Yarkpawolo Public School serves children from ABC through Grade Six and enrolls students from Gomue and neighboring communities, including Killingan, Malangan, Bellelah, Nyensue and Urey Village.

The graduation and fundraising ceremony brought together government officials, educators, community leaders, parents, students and development partners to celebrate the graduates while raising support for the continued expansion of the school.