By: Saidu Jalloh
Commemorating the Africa Youth Day, the Ministry of Youth Affairs organized a symposium at Sierra Palms, Lumley, on November 1st, 2024, engaging young people from various backgrounds across the country.
Minister of Youth Affairs Mohamed Oman Bangura explained that President Bio had signed an agreement with them to investigate their performance and that he is pleased to tell young people that he has a progressive team that will work for their interests.
He revealed that this year’s Africa Youth Day would emphasize fulfilling His Excellency Julius Maada Bio’s vision of engaging youth in livelihood activities. He highlighted the plans to engage young people, which include unveiling 50 fishing boats equipped with outboard engines and safety jackets and providing 100 tricycles to support young people’s livelihoods and enhance community value.
He added that he had been working with development partners to raise funds for the youth and that after the past administration destroyed the relationship with the Youth Affairs Ministry, he was tasked with developing a Youth Service. He delivered on that, and today, Sierra Leone can brag about its Youth Service.
He stated that in a program like that, it was the trust that development partners had placed in him that made him organize such a program without the government spending a dime. He announced that anyone working in agriculture or being employed to work on a farm would be paid for one year and not less than 100 dollars.
Minister Bangura also revealed that 8,000 young people would be earning 300 dollars under the World Bank project through NaCSA to support their businesses. He revealed that they opened a one-stop shop for youth development, which would be in every district, so youth would have a center where they could communicate their problems without coming to Freetown.
Madam Monorma Salima Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, explained her journey and inspired young men and women to build their careers and not give up on life despite the challenges they faced.
She also addressed that her story is not unique and so many other people have the same story, but the fact that she did not give up on her dreams means a lot to her.
She encouraged young people to be steadfast and support each other and asked them to contribute to national development whenever possible.
