By Sulaiman Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s minister of youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, has unveiled an ambitious three-year roadmap aimed at transforming the lives of young people across the country, the comprehensive vision focuses on four thematic pillars: agriculture, climate change, skills development, and technology and innovation.
The flagship initiative, titled the youth entrepreneurship program, will run from June 2025 to June 2028. Its overarching goal is to shift young people from being job seekers to becoming job creators, fostering self-reliance and national development.
Speaking at a government press briefing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Minister Sannoh emphasized inclusion, noting that the program aims to target 70% of male youth and 5% of persons with disabilities. He acknowledged the commendable work of the Minister of Information and civic education, Chernor Bah, and cited two key documents the National Youth Policy and the status of youth report as the foundation of his strategic plan.
One of the key documents that helped shape my plan is the National Youth Policy, which outlines the challenges and aspirations of young people, and how government and development partners can support them, he said, earlier that day, a high-level steering committee convened with government ministers and donor partners to discuss findings from the Status of Youth Report, generating valuable feedback that will inform the program’s implementation.
Agriculture stands as the first and most crucial pillar of the program, with a focus on value chain development and mechanization to make the sector more appealing to young people. The program will provide hands-on training, beginning with greenhouse farming.
Most youths shy away from agriculture because it is labour-intensive, minister Sannoh explained, he cited recent data showing that 44% of Sierra Leone’s population is aged between 18 and 35, with 56% of that demographic living in poverty and 52% in extreme poverty a trend he said must be reversed.
Recognizing the close link between agriculture and climate change, the program will also support youth-led farming initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, as part of the climate resilience agenda, the ministry will launch climate corps and youth climate corps networks to train young people in sustainable climate practices and advocacy.
The third pillar, skills development, will encourage young women to enter traditionally male-dominated fields such as carpentry, construction, and machinery operation, upon completing training, participants will receive startup kits instead of cash to ensure resources are used productively, we want to see more women empowered with practical skills, said Sannoh, adding that community banks and private sector collaborations will support youth farming and entrepreneurial efforts.
The final pillar centers on technology and innovation, with plans to train young people—especially recent university graduates in digital marketing, coding, and cybersecurity. The goal is to equip them with in-demand skills that can open up new career paths and reduce unemployment. Minister Sannoh concluded by calling for collective national support to drive youth transformation across Sierra Leone.
Young people must be at the center of national development, he said, this vision can only be achieved through collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society, and the youths themselves, with bold targets and a clear roadmap, the ministry of youth affairs is aiming to redefine the future of young people in Sierra Leone empowering them not just to survive, but to lead.
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Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 23rd, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
