By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara has called on the Government to provide reintegration support for young people recovering from drug addiction, stressing that rehabilitation alone is not enough to help them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
Hon. Kamara made the call on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, while contributing to the debate on the Presidential Speech delivered during the State Opening of Parliament.
She acknowledged the Government’s efforts to establish drug rehabilitation centres, citing Kono District as an example. She noted that two groups of young people had successfully graduated from rehabilitation programmes and were now serving in various capacities within the district.
However, she emphasised the need for additional support to help rehabilitated young people reintegrate into their communities and prevent them from relapsing into drug abuse.
“I am pleading with Government that not only should we rehabilitate these young people, but also provide a reintegration package so that they can be reintegrated back into the community,” Hon. Kamara said.
She explained that while rehabilitation was a crucial step in addressing drug abuse among young people, post-rehabilitation support was equally important in helping them rebuild their lives, acquire skills and contribute meaningfully to society.
On the issue of withheld examination results, Hon. Kamara appealed to fellow lawmakers to exercise patience and allow the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education to investigate the matter before reaching conclusions.
She urged Parliament to give the ministry an opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the withheld results, noting that the matter was expected to be addressed on Thursday when the minister would respond to questions from lawmakers.
The MP also cautioned against politicizing the issue to discredit the Government, emphasizing the importance of allowing the investigation to establish the facts.
On education, Hon. Kamara commended the Government for expanding access to tertiary education through the establishment of universities in various districts. She said the decentralization of higher education was bringing learning opportunities closer to students across the country.
She, however, stressed the need to improve the quality of education, noting that academic qualifications should be accompanied by practical knowledge and skills that enable graduates to demonstrate their competence and contribute to national development.
Turning to women’s empowerment, Hon. Kamara praised President Julius Maada Bio for promoting women’s participation in governance. She also commended First Lady Fatima Bio for her advocacy on gender-related issues, particularly efforts to combat gender-based violence.
She further underscored the importance of peace and stability as essential foundations for national development, noting that progress in education and other sectors would be difficult to sustain without a peaceful environment.
Hon. Kamara concluded by urging lawmakers and citizens to recognize the Government’s achievements while continuing to highlight areas requiring improvement. She called for responsible political engagement and constructive dialogue in the collective interest of national development.