The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has supported a youth-focused peace and integrity debate aimed at shaping the minds of young people and promoting ethical leadership in Sierra Leone.
The debate, held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, brought together students from seven schools across the Western Area as part of Rotary Peace Fellow Alex A. Bah’s “Catch Them Young” social change initiative.
The competition organised in memory of Ibrahim Jamil Sesay, Esq., featured debates on power, integrity, peace and leadership, with the organizers seeking to encourage young people to develop strong ethical values and become responsible citizens.
In his opening remarks, Bah reflected on his school days and the passion he and his peers had for debates and quiz competitions, noting that those experiences played an important role in shaping who they have become today.
He recalled his involvement in anti-corruption activities while at Services Juba School, where he served as President of the Integrity Club. He also disclosed that, together with colleagues, he helped establish Youth in Action to Eradicate Corruption.
Bah explained that after being selected for the Rotary Peace Fellowship from thousands of applicants, he developed the social change initiative to help young people understand and embrace the values of integrity.
He said the initiative is aimed at building a generation of ethical and well-trained leaders who can contribute to changing the narrative of society.
According to Bah, while changing the mindset of older generations can be difficult, there is an opportunity to “catch them young” by instilling the right values in young people. He, however, stressed that young people must also be willing to learn and embrace positive values.
He expressed appreciation to the SLPHA for recognizing the importance of investing in young people and supporting efforts to develop ethical future leaders.
The Coordinator of Operations at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Patrick Sandi, also commended the SLPHA for its support as the major sponsor of the initiative, titled “Catch Them Young: Combating Corruption through Educational Debates and Peace & Integrity Training.”
Sandi said the Authority’s support was significant, particularly because institutional support for initiatives related to the fight against corruption is not always easy to secure.
He noted that the SLPHA demonstrated confidence in Bah, the Rotary Peace Centre and the ACC by providing full support to the initiative.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the SLPHA, the Authority’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Mac’Ivan Kakpindi Vandy, spoke on the theme, “The Power of Young Voices: Integrity, Leadership and the Responsibility to Shape Sierra Leone’s Future.”
Vandy reaffirmed the Authority’s willingness to support initiatives that contribute to the development of young people and, ultimately, a better Sierra Leone.
He urged students to develop the ability to think independently, ask difficult questions and avoid simply accepting things as they are.
The SLPHA Media and Public Relations Chief encouraged the pupils to identify societal problems and propose practical solutions, noting that they would face challenges requiring ideas, courage, competence and integrity.
“Your classrooms are therefore not just preparing you for examinations; they are preparing you for life. One day soon, some of you will sit in the very institutions where decisions affecting this country are made,” Vandy told the students.
He further encouraged them to educate their minds, protect their integrity, respect the opinions of others and embrace responsible behaviour.
Vandy concluded by urging the students to find and use their voices responsibly by challenging issues and demanding accountability in a constructive manner.
Following a highly competitive debate, St. Joseph’s Secondary School (Convent) emerged as the winner of the Ibrahim Jamil Sesay, Esq. Memorial Trophy.