By: Audrey Raymonda John
Alhaj Maddi Bangura has been honoured with the prestigious AKIF MANAF Health and Peace Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across Sierra Leone.
The award, presented by the Europe-based Health and Peace organization, recognizes Bangura’s dedication to empowering vulnerable children and young people, particularly those living on the streets, in slum communities and other underserved areas, through sports, education, mentorship, employment opportunities and community development initiatives.
Bangura’s work centres on using sports as a pathway to personal development and a better future for young people. Through sports training and youth development programmes, he promotes healthy living, nurtures sporting talents and creates opportunities for young people to access international education, professional mentorship, employment and economic empowerment. He also supports initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s economic participation.
With this recognition, Bangura becomes the first Sierra Leonean to receive the Health and Peace Award, marking an important milestone in his community development efforts.
Bangura’s commitment to education, sports and youth empowerment dates back to his university days, when he actively participated in initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
He currently serves as the Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Gymnastics Federation, where he contributes to the promotion and development of gymnastics and youth sports in the country.
Beyond sports administration, he remains actively involved in supporting children from disadvantaged communities, particularly those in slum areas. Through personal initiatives and community engagements, he has helped provide scholarships and educational assistance to children and university students across Sierra Leone.
Bangura has also facilitated opportunities for young people to develop their talents through specialized training programmes, particularly in acrobatics and other sporting disciplines.
Through AFRI Talent Academy SL, which he co-founded, he works to train and prepare young talents to meet international standards, equipping them with the skills, discipline and experience needed to pursue professional opportunities.
In 2025, Bangura facilitated a visit by three international scouts from England, Portugal and Denmark to Sierra Leone. The visit provided an opportunity for the scouts to identify and assess talented young people for potential educational and professional development opportunities in Europe.
The initiative forms part of his broader efforts to connect Sierra Leonean talents with international platforms and opportunities.
His commitment to youth empowerment is also reflected in his involvement with Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW), now known as Restless Development.
During his participation in training programmes organised by the organization, Bangura contributed to initiatives aimed at preventing the spread of HIV and equipping young people in Sierra Leone’s post-war communities with essential life skills and knowledge to improve their livelihoods.
His involvement in these programmes demonstrates his longstanding interest in public health awareness, education, youth empowerment and community development.
In addition to his contributions to sports and education, Bangura is the co-founder of the Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub (ADFH) in Sierra Leone.
The initiative seeks to promote African and diaspora fashion, celebrate cultural creativity, develop local talent and equip young people with professional skills that meet international standards.
Through the platform, he aims to create opportunities for emerging creatives to showcase their talents, establish professional networks and participate in the growing fashion and creative industries.
He is also supporting the professional development of graphic design students at Limkokwing University through a fashion brand he established in Sierra Leone. The initiative provides students with opportunities to showcase their creativity, gain practical experience and improve their prospects for employment and entrepreneurship.
The AKIF MANAF Health and Peace Award is a recognition of Bangura’s sustained commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Sierra Leone.
His contributions across sports, education, health awareness, fashion and youth development reflect a broader vision of empowering young people to become skilled, confident and productive members of society.
As the first Sierra Leonean recipient of the award, his recognition also highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives in creating opportunities for vulnerable children and young people.
Through his continued work, Bangura remains committed to using sports, education, creativity and international partnerships as instruments for positive change and sustainable development in Sierra Leone.