MONROVIA – The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Dowein Agriculture Development Project (DADP), Anthony P. Cooper, has called on the Government of Liberia to create more job opportunities to help Liberians improve their livelihoods.
Speaking on the significance of employment opportunities, Cooper emphasized, “Job creation is a crucial aspect of any flourishing economy. It forms the groundwork for societal growth and development. In today’s challenging economic climate, marked by significant global job losses due to the pandemic, the need for robust job creation has become even more pressing.”
“It is essential to understand the importance of job creation for Liberia’s economic health, given the numerous factors that influence employment,” Cooper said. He further stressed that job creation is vital for economic growth, noting that higher employment rates lead to increased consumer spending, fueling overall economic progress. This, in turn, generates more tax revenue for the government, funding essential public services such as healthcare and education.
“One of the main purposes of creating job opportunities is poverty alleviation. Employment provides people with stable incomes, enabling them to support themselves, their families, and their communities,” he noted. “It reduces dependency on government assistance, increases the standard of living, and enhances personal dignity and self-esteem.”
Cooper highlighted that job opportunities contribute to community stability and economic security, reducing crime and addressing other societal issues related to poverty.
He underscored agriculture’s role as a crucial avenue for job creation, noting, “Agriculture symbolizes the diverse ways crops, plants, and livestock sustain the global human population by providing food and other essential products. It is now imperative for the government to actively invest in agriculture as a key driver of employment.”
As a native of Grand Bassa County and the CEO of DADP, Cooper expressed his commitment to generating employment opportunities for over 15,000 individuals across the county’s three electoral districts by 2026.
“Labor is not just a production factor but a fundamental element of development. Dowein Agriculture Development Project, with over 75 current employees, is planning further expansion and workforce growth,” Cooper explained.
Currently, the DADP operates sites in Timbo’s Town and Whehkpee’s Town, utilizing two VISHNU sugarcane juicer machines, each powered by 10 horsepower and valued at US$5,000. Cooper stated the entire project has an overall value of US$50,000.
He encouraged residents in other districts to participate in agriculture, particularly sugarcane farming, which he described as a lucrative enterprise to generate income and improve livelihoods. He also noted the additional benefit of job creation in providing training and skills development for the workforce.
Anthony P. Cooper, who currently resides in the United States, was born on March 1, 1976, at the Liberian Agriculture Company Plantation. He attended Alamino Elementary School within the LAC School System in Grand Bassa County and later completed his secondary education at Ocean View Christian Academy in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital.
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