By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, has reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to empowering young people through targeted skills development and technical training initiatives. Speaking at the Bo Civic Day Series on October 14, 2025, the minister outlined a series of strategic programs aimed at strengthening middle-level manpower and expanding opportunities for youth across the country.
Minister Sannoh emphasized that the ministry’s current efforts are guided by the findings of the Status of the Youth Report, which offers evidence-based insights into national youth development priorities. He noted that the focus is now on implementing “bankable projects” designed to deliver tangible benefits for young Sierra Leoneans.
In partnership with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Youth Ministry has developed a Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) Policy that encourages every young person to acquire at least one practical skill. “The only way you can be employable is when you learn something,” Sannoh stated, urging youth to embrace skill-based education.
Skills Training for Bike Riders: A total of 1,500 bike riders across six districts have been selected to benefit from a UNDP-supported scholarship program focused on vocational training.
Short Courses at Milton Margai Technical University: A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will facilitate the rollout of 21 short courses in fields such as carpentry, hairdressing, masonry, and photography — all tailored to enhance youth employability.
ICT Scholarships for WASSCE Achievers: The ministry will award 500 scholarships to outstanding students who excelled in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), enabling them to pursue Information and Communication Technology (ICT) studies at three top international universities.
Minister Sannoh concluded by reiterating his passion for youth empowerment through education and skills acquisition. “We want to roll out as many skill programs as possible, because the only way we can develop this country as young people — who make up the majority — is through skills acquisition,” he said.
The announcement signals a renewed push by the government to equip Sierra Leone’s youth with the tools needed to thrive in a competitive and evolving job market.