Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, announced the launch of 21 vocational and technical training programs for dropout youths, during the “UNFILTERED” youth-centered dialogue held at Creative Hub Africa (CHA) on Thursday, 31st July, 2025.
The program is designed to equip young people with essential skills and provide opportunities for those who have been traditionally excluded from the education system.
The announcement was made at an event co-organized by the Center for Community Impact and Sustainability (CCIS), the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and the Agnes Bio Foundation, with support from the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation.
The gathering brought together government officials, grassroots youth leaders, and development stakeholders to engage in open discussions about youth issues in Sierra Leone.
Minister Sannoh confirmed that the new training programs will cover various fields, including tailoring, carpentry, welding, masonry, and cybersecurity, and will not require formal academic qualifications.
“Everybody wants a job. Everybody wants to graduate. But we are not united, and that makes us vulnerable to political manipulation,” he stated, urging the need for national unity as a critical challenge affecting youth development.
In addition to the vocational training, the Minister announced plans to establish a national youth research hub within his first 100 days in office. According to him, the hub will focus on innovation, policy input, and research led by young people.
Sierra Leone’s Youth Representative to the United Nations, Isaac Bayoh, supported the Minister’s message, calling for increased youth participation in international development discussions.
He encouraged young people to seek funding opportunities and leadership initiatives that promote resilience and self-reliance. “We need to scale our representation so our stories are not just heard locally, but shape decisions globally,” he emphasized.
The “UNFILTERED” event provided a platform for young attendees to express their concerns and aspirations directly to decision-makers. Participants shared their experiences regarding unemployment, poverty, and feelings of being sidelined in national conversations.
Madam Lyzianah Emakoua, CEO of CCIS, noted the importance of creating genuine partnerships between youth and decision-makers. “This is not just a networking space. It is a truth-telling space,” she asserted, calling for radical listening and co-creation in addressing the needs of young people.
The event concluded with a commitment to continue the “Unfiltered” series, which aims to foster ongoing dialogue that champions youth voices and promotes tangible solutions to the challenges they face.
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