The Baobab

Congratulations to the blue sharks (Tobaroes azuis)

, Tubarões Azuis!
Cabo-verde 🎉💪🙏

Should one wait to enter university to start personal growth?

Many young people finish high school and then spend years waiting for a relative, sponsor, or opportunity to send them to university.

But should life be put on hold while waiting?

While pursuing higher education, young people can still invest in themselves by:
• Learning a practical skill or trade.
• Taking free online courses by using just a smartphone
• Reading books that build knowledge and confidence.
• Volunteering to gain experience and expand their network.
• Starting a small business, no matter how modest.
• Learning digital skills such as computer literacy, graphic design, or social media management.

A university degree is valuable, but self-development does not have to wait for a university admission letter.

What do you think: Are we encouraging young people to develop themselves while they wait, or are we unintentionally teaching them to put their lives on hold?

You can find links for free online courses in the first comment.

Education is valuable, but is a degree the only path to success?

Must success always come through degrees?

In Liberia, success is often measured by the number of certificates and academic titles a person has. Yet many successful entrepreneurs, artisans, technicians, farmers, and business owners have built meaningful careers through skills, experience, and determination.

Are we placing too much value on degrees and not enough on practical skills and innovation?

What should define success: the number of degrees and certificate, skills, impact, income, or a combination of all four?

POLITICAL BLIND LOYALTY

Supporting a political party/politician is a right. Blind loyalty, however, can become an obstacle to national development.

A healthy democracy requires citizens who can praise what is right, criticize what is wrong, and always put country above politics.

Liberia deserves informed citizens, not blind followers.

Can we support leaders while still holding them accountable?

A Question of Priorities

In recent days, much attention has been given to a statement reportedly made by a Nigerian pastor predicting hardship for Liberia under the current administration.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with such a prediction is a personal matter. As for me, I do not believe such statements determine the future of a nation.

More importantly, I wonder whether we are dedicating too much time and energy to a discussion that has little direct impact on Liberia’s development.

Our country’s future will be shaped not by prophecies, but by the quality of our institutions, the strength of our economy, the education of our children, the effectiveness of our healthcare system, and the choices we make as citizens and leaders.

Perhaps the more important questions are:

* How do we improve education?
* How do we create jobs?
* How do we strengthen healthcare?
* How do we reduce corruption and improve governance?
* How do we build a Liberia that works for everyone?

The future of Liberia will be determined by our actions, not by predictions.

What do you think?

Where dialogue takes root.

Welcome to The Baobab

Across Africa, communities have long gathered under the baobab tree to share ideas, discuss challenges, resolve differences, and seek solutions together.

The Baobab is inspired by that tradition.

This page is dedicated to thoughtful discussion on the issues that shape our lives—governance, health, education, business, youth development, leadership, innovation, and the future of Liberia and Africa.

Our goal is not merely to identify problems, but to explore solutions, encourage critical thinking, and promote respectful dialogue.

Every voice matters. Every idea deserves consideration. Every challenge presents an opportunity for progress.

Welcome to the conversation.

Where dialogue takes root.