A bold and heartfelt move by the Ministry of Youth Affairs has seen Minister Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh and his Deputy, Hon. Patrick Gibrilla, visiting several inner-city communities including Upgun Ataya Base, Upgun Cemetery (Friends of the Dead), Kanikay, Whitehouse, and Colbert Community. The tour focused on listening to the concerns of young people and encouraging them to steer clear of Kush and other harmful substances.
The visit underscored the Ministryโs commitment to inclusive development through direct community engagement. By meeting the youth where they live and gather, the Ministry is building a foundation for responsive policymaking based on lived realities.
Minister Sannoh emphasized the importance of understanding the challenges young people face before designing solutions. *โWeโre not here to make empty promises. Weโre here to listen. Weโre here to understand. Because you canโt prepare for the youth without knowing what the youth are going through,โ* he said.
He urged the youth to remain conscious, focused, and drug-free, stating that drug abuse, especially the use of Kush, is robbing too many young people of their potential. *โOur countryโs development rests on your shoulders. You have the power to shape your future and the nationโs. Stay away from drugs, stay away from Kush. Help us help you,โ he added.
The Minister also announced that the Ministry will soon roll out a national skills development program targeting communities like the ones visited. This initiative aims to equip young people with practical, job-ready skills in areas such as entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and technical trades. *โThis is not politics; itโs purpose. We believe in your potential, and weโre working on programs that will elevate you to be creators of jobs and leaders of change,โ* he ended.
The visit sparked hope and energy among local residents, who expressed gratitude for the Ministryโs hands-on approach. By engaging directly with the youth, the Ministry is showing a clear shift toward participatory development.
As the Ministry of Youth Affairs continues to build trust through presence and action, Sierra Leoneโs youth are being positioned not just as beneficiaries of change but as drivers of it.
