(Guest Writer)
By: Dauda Buanie Sheriff (Gbatima)
gbatima2021@gmail.com/076281898.
It’s still a challenge for Gbatima to drop in the Gbatima Droppings due to the emptiness of the Gbatima ink. Today, I had to dash to a neighbour to let me use his printer to do this episode of what I like doing.
Today’s work is for and on behalf of one of the Ministers that I suppose has done well in the Brigadier (Rtd) Bio’s led New Direction (SLPP) Government of Sierra Leone. This Minister is like the father to all young people of this country. I am writing to acknowledge the work done so far by the Ministry of Youth Affairs under the leadership of Hon. Mohamed Orman Bangura and his Deputy, Hon. Lusine Kallon.
Not too long ago, Mr. Mohamed Orman Bangura on his Facebook timeline posted their achievements as a Ministry and appreciated President Bio for entrusting him the opportunity to lead the young people of this country. As one of his friends on Facebook, and a follower of the doings of the Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) due to the relationship, I built with them during my Nation Youth Service, I read their achievements catalogue in a photoshopped picture done by the Directorate of Communications, Office of the President. We may disagree to agree, but sincerely almost (if not) all those heightened achievements are unarguably true.
The post accounted that “Exactly five years ago today, my mentor, H.E. President Bio bestowed me with the greatest privilege of my life, by appointing me as the Minister of Youth Affairs for Sierra Leone. Every day, for the past five years, I have worked diligently to deliver on the promises of the New Direction and helped to improve the well-being of the young people in my country. We have achieved some major milestones and worked to enhance the image of “youth” in Sierra Leone. So much more remains to be done- but I’m proud that this Temne boy from Magburaka, raised by a single mom, who worked hard to gain an education and give himself a chance- has been given this extraordinary opportunity to serve my country and my generation. I can’t possibly thank President Bio enough for his leadership, stewardship and guidance in nurturing me personally and more so for his remarkable vision over these five years. To my team at the Ministry, my friends and colleagues who support inspire and challenge me every day- I’m grateful. Let’s continue on this journey of the New Direction of Progress and Prosperity for the youth of our country. Aluta Continua.”
Like the adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” the Directorate of Communications, Office of the President beautifully catalogued the achievements of the Minister of Youth Affairs in a picture into 13 clusters. Among the 13 collections, Gbatima will highlight a few that gratified him for this work.
Sierra Leone’s President, HE Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio through the Ministry of Youth Affairs with support from different stakeholders was able to do the following in the last five years:
Established Youth Farms across the country with over 10,000 young people engage in it, developed and validated a five-year master plan to clamp down on substance abuse and drug trafficking, distributed over 158 motorbikes to Chiefdom and District Youth Councils across the country, trained 2,836 young people in skills development, graduated 2,400 National Youth Service Corps members that went through rigorous mandatory regimental orientations, leadership training and work ethics (Gbatima is one), constructed 28 Car Wash centres that provide Self-empowerment for many young people across the country, distributed 70 fishing boats to fishing communities in Bonthe, Moyamba, Pujehun, Kambia, Port Loko and Western Area Districts, and provided stimulus grant to young entrepreneurs whose business were affected by the COVID-19.
These are enviable achievements that should not be swept under the carpet. The Minister of Youth Affairs with his team deserves a national standing ovation for their laudable achievements in just five years, and they and President Bio certainly deserve more than five years to continue with the good work.
However, a cynic looking at the prevalence at which young people are now into drug abuse, especially “kush” will want to, and may be right to say the five years strategy to clamp down on substance abuse has not been effectively effectuated; hence should be reviewed or strategized before 2026. ‘Kushers” are almost always somnambulating around every radius and circumference of Sierra Leone. Gbatima too will support a review of those strategies or maybe an uncompromising implementation of those strategies.
Again, funnily embarrassingly, the law enforcement body is also on record to be among the “Kushers.” Now, who will stop whom? It’s well.
From a participant observation, Gbatima has learnt that most of these young people into this drug abuse had developed a mentality that intoxication is their first aid treatment to ameliorate the suffering they are going through in their current socio-economic status. Ignorantly, we (the young people) are failing to realize that drug abuse is an exacerbation of our current socio-economic standing in our societies.
Finally, Congratulations Minister of Youth Affairs, and Deputy for your indelible contributions to the “youths” of this country. You’ve tried, but please be reminded that unemployment is still on the increase among young people.
“Jamat, leh God help we all.”