Beneath the concrete expanse of Juba Bridge in Freetown, where resilience struggles daily against hardship, on May 28, 2025 the voices of some of Sierra Leone’s most vulnerable young people were finally heard, minister of youth affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, made an unannounced but deeply impactful visit to the area marking a rare moment of direct engagement between government leadership and youth living in extreme marginalization.
The visit was part of the ministry’s growing efforts to reach beyond policy papers and into the lives of real people affected by youth unemployment, addiction, and homelessness, minister Sannoh was joined by his deputy minister, the director of programs, and the director of youth in Livelihood Skills, together, they walked the narrow paths and makeshift shelters beneath the bridge, not to inspect, but to listen.
We are here because this is where the work must begin, minister Sannoh said, as he spoke with young people, many of whom have battled drug addiction, trauma, and abandonment, this is not a publicity stunt, it is a national responsibility, these young people are citizens too, they deserve better.
One of those citizens is Rosamond, a soft-spoken but articulate young woman whose command of language stood in contrast to her current condition, despite living in poverty and suffering from a serious eye condition, she dreams of returning to school visibly moved by her determination, the Minister pledged to provide immediate medical attention and long-term educational support, another testimony came from Alie Foster, who lost a leg in a tragic accident and still endures daily pain in the other. His voice trembled as he shared his story, minister Sannoh assured Alie of urgent medical intervention, affirming that his ministry would not abandon him.
The atmosphere under the bridge transformed as the Minister and his team listened with genuine empathy, what began as a quiet visit quickly evolved into a powerful moment of recognition for a group that often feels invisible, we cannot build the future while ignoring those left behind. The stories here are not just tales of survival they are calls to action, minister Sannoh stated.
This outreach is part of a broader national initiative to rehabilitate and reintegrate at-risk youth, the ministry of youth affairs has committed to linking those under the Juba Bridge to recovery programs, skills training, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The engagement ended with handshakes, tears, and cautious smiles symbols of a long-overdue connection between those in power and those without, for many of the youth, this was the first time someone from the government sat beside them, asked questions, and offered not just sympathy, but solutions, the ministry has assured continued follow-up and a clear roadmap for transitioning these young lives from the shadows of society into centers of opportunity and growth.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
