By Thaimu T Kamara

The National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) of Sierra Leone has opened discussions with Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports on strengthening bilateral cooperation aimed at expanding opportunities for young people in both countries.

NAYCOM Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai made the move during a working visit to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Liberia, where he held discussions with senior government officials on areas of mutual interest in youth development.

Commissioner Lahai was received by Liberia’s Deputy Minister responsible for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Hon. Laraamand Shenkin Nyonton, alongside other Deputy and Assistant Ministers.

The engagement focused on strengthening cooperation in youth development, skills acquisition, technical and vocational education and training, cross-border learning and youth exchange programmes.

Discussions centred on the need to create practical opportunities that can equip young people with relevant skills and knowledge to improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Both sides recognised the importance of investing in young people as a critical component of the development of Sierra Leone and Liberia.

They stressed that stronger cooperation between the two countries could provide opportunities for young people to learn from each other, exchange experiences and benefit from programmes designed to build their technical and professional capacities.

The discussions also highlighted the potential for greater collaboration in TVET, particularly in equipping young people with practical skills that respond to labour market demands.

Technical and vocational training was identified as an important avenue for addressing youth unemployment and improving access to sustainable livelihoods.

The two sides also considered the importance of cross-border learning opportunities, which could allow young people and youth-focused institutions in Sierra Leone and Liberia to share knowledge, experiences and best practices.

Youth exchange programmes formed another key area of discussion, with both parties recognising the value of creating platforms that promote interaction and collaboration among young people from the two neighbouring countries.

Such exchanges could strengthen relationships between youth organisations and institutions while promoting a better understanding of shared development challenges and opportunities.

The engagement further underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing issues affecting young people in West Africa.

Officials noted that youth development challenges often transcend national borders and require collaborative approaches involving governments, institutions and young people themselves.

Both sides emphasised that empowering young people requires more than policy commitments and should include practical programmes that provide access to skills, training, mentorship, learning opportunities and platforms for participation in national development.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for Sierra Leone and Liberia to explore areas where their respective youth institutions can work together more closely.

For NAYCOM, the engagement forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen partnerships that can provide Sierra Leonean youth with increased access to opportunities for skills development and personal growth.

The Liberian Ministry of Youth and Sports similarly expressed interest in deepening cooperation in areas that can benefit young people and contribute to the development priorities of both countries.

The working visit comes against the backdrop of longstanding historical and cultural ties between Sierra Leone and Liberia, with both countries sharing common interests in regional development and youth empowerment.

The two sides agreed on the importance of building on the discussions and pursuing practical avenues for collaboration.

The engagement is expected to pave the way for further consultations and possible initiatives involving youth institutions, training centres and youth-led organisations in both countries.

Commissioner Lahai’s visit marks a step towards strengthening youth-to-youth partnerships between Sierra Leone and Liberia while creating a platform for both countries to share experiences and develop joint approaches to youth empowerment.

With skills development, TVET and youth exchanges at the centre of the discussions, the partnership could provide new avenues for young people to acquire practical skills, expand their networks and play a greater role in the social and economic transformation of both nations.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 26th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)