By: Saidu Jalloh
The Leadership and Public Speaking Master Class (LPMC) has launched a week-long training program aimed at equipping young people with essential leadership and communication skills. The program, themed “Empowering Voices: Leading with Impact and Authenticity,” commenced on September 1, 2025, at the Special Court venue in Freetown.
In his welcoming address, Mr. Ansumana Kieta, the convener of the event, encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity by applying the tools and insights gained to bring positive change to their communities.
One of the facilitators, Alpha Amadu Bah, led a session on Effective Leadership, where he emphasized the importance of mastering leadership within community settings. He highlighted four key pillars of effective leadership: Integrity, Vision, Communication, and Self-Awareness.
“If you want to be a leader, you have to master these four pillars. These are the guiding principles that set a leader apart from a follower,” Bah emphasized.
He also stressed that, in an African context, leadership is inherently community-driven:
“Leadership is not about one person standing alone, but about serving and uplifting the entire community.”
Another session, delivered by Pharm Buya Nabieu Bangura, focused on Strategic Thinking and Visionary Leadership. He explained that leaders must be capable of thinking critically, anticipating challenges, and translating vision into actionable plans.
“As a leader, you should be able to break down complex issues and plan where you want to be in the next six months or a year,” Bangura stated.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork, emphasizing that leadership is never a one-man show.
Shifting focus to communication, Abu Bakar Mansaray conducted a session on Mastering Public Speaking. He noted that many influential leaders have used public speaking as a powerful tool to drive change.
Mansaray outlined the fundamentals of effective speech delivery: Preparation, Practice, and Clarity. He urged participants to view public speaking as an essential component of leadership, illustrating his points with examples of iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
“Their speeches changed societies,” he said, encouraging participants to actively practice and apply their newly acquired public speaking skills throughout the training.