By Emma Black
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has launched a youth-driven community engagement initiative aimed at strengthening public awareness and prevention of mpox across Sierra Leone. The program seeks to empower young people to serve as health ambassadors within their communities, promoting safe practices and helping curb the spread of the disease.
The initiative officially kicked off with an orientation session held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the NPHA headquarters on Wilkinson Road in Freetown. The training brought together youth representatives from various communities who were educated on the current mpox situation in the country, including its symptoms, modes of transmission, and effective prevention measures.
Speaking during the session, NPHA officials emphasized the critical role of youth in fostering behavioural change and community mobilization. “Young people are powerful agents of transformation,” one official stated. “By equipping them with accurate information and tools, we are ensuring that public health messages reach even the most remote corners of the country.”
To enhance their outreach efforts, the newly trained youth ambassadors were provided with Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials such as posters, flyers, and megaphones. Over the next four days from Saturday through Wednesday, October 15 they will lead community sensitization activities, engaging local residents through door-to-door visits, public discussions, and social media campaigns.
The NPHA described this effort as part of its broader strategy to strengthen community-based public health interventions. The agency noted that young people, with their energy and social influence, are uniquely positioned to bridge information gaps and promote preventive health behaviours.
“This campaign is a reminder that protecting public health is a shared responsibility,” said one of the youth ambassadors. “We are proud to be part of the fight against mpox and to help keep our communities safe.”
By integrating youth participation into its public health response, the NPHA continues to demonstrate its commitment to building resilient communities and promoting a culture of prevention and responsibility across Sierra Leone.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 15th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
