By: Saidu Jalloh
The Patriotic Advocacy Network has certified more than 150 participants who successfully completed its Leadership and Public Speaking Masterclass.
The certification ceremony was held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown, bringing together graduates, government officials, academics, facilitators, parents, members of the Patriotic Advocacy Network and other distinguished guests.
The two-week masterclass was designed to strengthen participants’ confidence, communication abilities and leadership skills. The programme was delivered in two sessions, including evening classes for working participants and full-time sessions for others. The full-time training was held at the FSSG School in Freetown.
Delivering the welcome address, Board Chairperson of the Patriotic Advocacy Network, Madam Jannet Kallon, congratulated the graduates and described the occasion as more than a certification ceremony.
She encouraged the participants to use the confidence and skills acquired during the programme to make a positive contribution to society.
Madam Kallon said public speaking was not simply about speaking loudly or standing before an audience, but about having meaningful ideas, understanding one’s purpose and having the courage to communicate those ideas effectively.
She also stressed that leadership should not be measured by the position a person occupies, but by the responsibility they accept, the problems they help solve and the positive impact they create.
According to her, the Patriotic Advocacy Network believes that every young person has a voice and that every voice has the potential to create change.
She said the organization remains committed to equipping young people with the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to become effective leaders and contribute to national development.
In his address, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education Conrad Sackey described the occasion as a special moment and commended the Patriotic Advocacy Network for investing in young people.
Minister Sackey opened his remarks with an African saying emphasizing that leadership is demonstrated through a leader’s deeds and the footprints they leave behind.
He encouraged the graduates to recognize that leadership is ultimately about the impact they make and the difference they create in their communities.
The Minister said the masterclass was founded on the recognition that communication and leadership are valuable skills, particularly for young people.
He noted that young people who understand the value of effective communication are better positioned to influence others, provide solutions and contribute meaningfully to society.
He further urged the graduates to demonstrate confidence, integrity, humility and responsibility as they apply their skills in their workplaces, communities and other areas of society.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernoh Bah highlighted the importance of effective public speaking and shared aspects of his personal experience with public speaking dating back to his school days.
Minister Bah emphasized the importance of composure when addressing an audience and urged speakers to understand the people they are addressing.
He advised the graduates to use simple and clear English rather than unnecessarily complicated words, stressing that the primary objective of public speaking is to ensure that the audience understands the message being delivered.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Francis Sowa, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies at Fourah Bay College, challenged the graduates and other participants to reflect deeply on leadership in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Sowa identified what he described as some fundamental challenges affecting leadership in the country.
He said some people are able to identify problems and propose solutions when they are outside positions of authority, but sometimes fail to address the same challenges after assuming those positions.
He warned against placing too much emphasis on titles and positions while neglecting the real problems facing communities and the country.
Dr. Sowa also encouraged participants to examine their own responsibilities instead of always blaming politicians, teachers, lecturers or others in positions of authority.
He challenged parents and ordinary citizens to examine their own actions, particularly on issues such as examination malpractice, arguing that society cannot continue to blame leaders for problems in which ordinary citizens also play a role.
According to him, if Sierra Leoneans continue to believe that leadership problems belong only to people occupying senior positions, the country will struggle to achieve the change it desires.
He therefore encouraged participants to ask themselves what they are doing as leaders in their homes, workplaces, communities and organizations.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity for graduates to share their experiences from the training.
One of the graduates, Isata Mansaray, described the occasion as a celebration of progress, courage and hard work.
She said she previously found it difficult to stand before people and speak because of nervousness, but the training had transformed her confidence and helped her overcome her fear of public speaking.
Mansaray expressed appreciation to the facilitators for their guidance, saying she now feels confident enough to stand before large audiences and communicate her ideas effectively.
The certification of more than 150 participants marks another step in the Patriotic Advocacy Network’s efforts to equip young people with practical leadership and communication skills.
The programme concluded with a call for graduates to translate the knowledge gained in the classroom into responsible leadership, effective communication and positive action in their communities and across Sierra Leone.