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By Myean D Torgbean
Dec 19,2025
–As BOT Chair Commends initiative
A new era of opportunity is unfolding at the nascent Grand Gedeh University, where the Speaker of the 55th National Legislature, Rt. Honorable Richard Nagbe Koon has announced an unprecedented 750 scholarships designed to cover all admission-related costs for students, providing a vital lifeline in a region where financial constraints often force desirous students to abandon their studies as well as a major boost to deliver a 150 KVA transformer, directly solving a persistent power crisis on campus.
The university authority being receptive of the uncommon philanthropy, has commended the initiative, describing it as a “defining moment in our collective effort to expand access to quality higher education in Southeastern Liberia”
In a press statement issued by Chief Dr. William Deiyan Towah, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Grand Gedeh University, on behalf of the Board, the administration, staff and students of the institution, lauded the landmark intervention of Speaker Koon and said GGU will forever remain grateful to the gesture at the time it was needed most.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the administration, and the entire student body of Grand Gedeh University, we extend our profound appreciation and highest commendation to the Rt. Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the 55th National Legislature, for his exceptional generosity and visionary leadership.
“The Speaker’s recent and unprecedented commitment to Grand Gedeh University represents a defining moment in our collective effort to expand access to quality higher education in Southeastern Liberia. Through this bold intervention, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges confronting rural academic institutions and a genuine commitment to national development through human capital investment.
“The announcement of 750 full scholarships to pay all admission related costs is nothing short of transformative. In a region where financial hardship too often interrupts academic dreams, this initiative serves as a vital bridge to opportunity. By relieving hundreds of deserving students of the burden of fees constraints, the Speaker has empowered them to focus fully on learning, growth, and excellence. These beneficiaries—our future doctors, engineers, educators, and public servants—will stand as enduring evidence of his faith in the power of education to change lives and communities”, Chief Dr. Towah said.
Chief Dr. Towah said beyond the academic support, the donation of a 150 KVA transformer directly addresses one of the university’s most persistent infrastructural challenges, adding “Reliable electricity is indispensable to modern education, and this contribution lays a strong foundation for progress”. He further said that this upgrade will facilitate the modernization of classrooms and laboratories, support research and digital learning, extend instructional hours into the evening, and enhance campus safety through improved lighting and connectivity.
“We commend Speaker Koon for setting a distinguished example of legislative leadership that prioritizes decentralized and inclusive educational development. His actions restore hope, dignity, and confidence within our academic community, reaffirming the principle that no student should be disadvantaged by their geography.
We are confident that the impact of these contributions will be felt far beyond the university walls, improving livelihoods in Grand Gedeh County and strengthening the intellectual fabric of Liberia as a whole”, the statement concluded.
Earlier during the program at which the intervention from the Speaker was made, Dr. Eric ZM Gbotoe had commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr, for being thoughtful to accelerate the process leading to the upgrade of the then Grand Gedeh Community College to a full university status and henceforth to be named the Grand Gedeh University .and the commitment the government has shown to ensure that the new university lives up to the mandate for which it was created.
“We are the foot soldiers of the ARREST AGENDA as the national development plan of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and will endeavor to ensure that the cardinal pillars under this national project, among which is education will be achieved despite the challenges ahead”, Dr. Gbotoe said amid cheers from the audience at the elaborate program held on the campus of the institution to welcome Speaker Koon and entourage.
In his response, Speaker Koon while making the intervention said that before his advent to national politics, he has always been an educator and will not relent to make sure that the sector will be accorded due attention in the national priority of the government. He said his tour of the Southeast of the country was to afford him the opportunity to access the needs of the region, especially education and youth employment.
