MOYA, Sierra Palms, Freetown, 21 August 2025. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, in collaboration with development partners, convened the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee and the National Technical Working Group on Youth, Peace and Security in Sierra Leone.
The landmark event was co-funded by the European Union and supported by ECOWAS, UNDP, and other international partners.
The gathering brought together government leaders, international development partners, civil society actors, and youth representatives to chart a collective roadmap for advancing youth inclusion in peace and security initiatives across Sierra Leone. Among the dignitaries present were the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, alongside a host of other senior officials.
Delivering his address, Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, emphasized the critical role of young people in building a stable, inclusive, and peaceful Sierra Leone:
“This inaugural meeting marks a turning point in our national commitment to youth, peace, and security. Young people are not just beneficiaries of peace, they are drivers of peace. The Government of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, remains resolute in ensuring that our youths are meaningfully engaged in decision-making processes that affect their future. Through this Steering Committee and Technical Working Group, we are building the institutional frameworks necessary to transform young people into central actors of national stability, reconciliation, and development.”
He further noted that the Ministry of Youth Affairs would continue to champion policies and programs that empower young people, reduce unemployment, and prevent youth involvement in violence or insecurity.
Also making a statement, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in advancing the global Youth, Peace and Security agenda.
The inaugural meeting served as a platform to align national priorities with regional and international frameworks on youth, peace, and security, while also strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
