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FREETOWN — August 27, 2026: In a landmark visit to Sierra Leone, Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, pledging the Church’s enduring commitment to education and youth empowerment.
During the meeting at State House in Freetown, Elder Gilbert emphasized the Church’s long-term vision for Sierra Leone. “We love your people, and we are here for the long term,” he told the vice president, noting that the Church works with friends of all faiths and is invested in the country’s future.
Vice President Jalloh expressed gratitude for the Church’s initiatives, including BYU–Pathway Worldwide and the Succeed in School program, which provide learning opportunities and after-school support for Sierra Leonean youth. “If you provide opportunities to young people, they will be the engine to transform the country,” he said.
The discussions were attended by Hon. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education; Sia Fasuluku, Deputy Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer; Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, Africa West Area President; and Elder Kenneth Pambu, an Area Seventy from Sierra Leone.
Minister Wurie praised the Church’s role in improving learning environments for more than 67,000 students, noting that its efforts align with Sierra Leone’s “Big Five Game Changers” program aimed at accelerating growth and reducing poverty. “The Church has been a valuable partner,” she said, stressing the importance of creating dignified remote job opportunities for the country’s youthful population.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Vice President Jalloh shared a personal story about his own participation in an after-school program as a boy, crediting it for shaping his educational journey. He offered to visit the Succeed in School program to inspire students with his experience. Elder Gilbert welcomed the idea, saying: “Your story is inspiring, and we would love to have you speak to Pathway and Succeed in School students.”
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to explore further avenues of cooperation in education and youth development. Elder Gilbert’s visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties between the Church and Sierra Leone’s government, reinforcing a shared vision of empowering young citizens to build a peaceful and prosperous society.
Source: Elder Gilbert Tells Sierra Leone Vice President: ‘We Are Here for the Long Term’