Published: March 6, 2026
MONROVIA – The Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL) Wednesday, March 4, 2026, joined global community of engineers to celebrate World Engineering Day with a strong call for professional independence, innovation, and youth empowerment.
The event, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (EJS) Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, brought together high school students aspiring to become engineers, university engineering students from across Montserrado County, practicing engineers, and members of the ESOL Board. The theme of the event was “Smart Engineering for a Sustainable Future Through Innovation and Digitalization.”
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World Engineering Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2019 and is observed annually on March 4 to recognize the vital role engineers play in sustainable development worldwide.
A Celebration Marked by Purpose
The celebration began with a colorful parade that symbolized unity within the engineering community. Students marched alongside seasoned professionals, reflecting a bridge between experience and ambition.
In his remarks, ESOL President David D. Wounuah emphasized the critical role engineers play in Liberia’s national development. He said the country’s progress depends significantly on the strength, competence, and integrity of its engineering profession. “Engineers are the backbone of national infrastructure,” Wounuah declared. He acknowledged that engineers have traditionally worked behind the scenes while others shaped public narratives. However, he signaled a shift in that dynamic, expressing confidence that the profession would gradually assume greater leadership in policy and development matters.
Pushing for Professional Independence
The central message of Wounuah’s address was the need to strengthen regulation and public trust. He announced that ESOL is intensifying efforts to ensure proper licensing and regulation of engineers across the country. “We are intensifying our job to ensure the proper licensing and regulation of engineers across the country,” he said. Wounuah also revealed plans for the Society to move out of the Ministry of Public Works and secure its own office space as a first step toward institutional independence, with a long-term goal of establishing a permanent headquarters. “Our first step is to step out of the Ministry of Public Works,” Wounuah stated, expressing confidence that the Society would relocate before the end of April.
He described the move as a practical demonstration of autonomy and maturity within the profession.
Investing in Youth Through National Internship
Wounuah stressed that the future of engineering in Liberia lies with young people. He pointed to repeated calls during ESOL’s recent convention for greater access to internships and practical training. “Access to internship, access to internship, access to internship,” he emphasized. To address that need, ESOL will collaborate with the Society of Engineering Students of Liberia to launch a coordinated national internship program.
Under the initiative, Liberia’s Engineering Society will manage and distribute available internship placements across government institutions and private firms. Senior engineers were encouraged to channel internship opportunities through ESOL to ensure transparency and equitable access for students nationwide.
Innovation and Digitalization at the Center
Delivering the keynote address, Thomas Z. Gwonkerwon, Deputy Managing Director for Operations at the Liberia Electricity Corporation, placed the celebration within a broader global context. He described engineering as central to addressing climate change, infrastructure deficits, and rapid technological transformation. “Without sustainable engineering, there is no future,” Gwonkerwon said.
He challenged Liberian engineers to embrace digital systems, smart technologies, and data-driven decision-making. Speaking from his experience in the energy sector, he highlighted the transition toward intelligent grid management and modern monitoring systems at the Liberia Electricity Corporation. Gwonkerwon urged engineers to commit to lifelong learning, professional integrity, and national service, stressing that digitalization is not optional but strategic for Liberia’s advancement.
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