By: Ibrahim J. Conteh
The Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Mohamed Orman Bangura has officially launched the 2021 National Youth Summit during a Press conference held at the Ministry of Information and communication Conference Room in Freetown on Wednesday 6th October, 2021.
Speaking to Pressmen, the UN Country Resident Coordinator Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi registered his delight for been invited to discussion issues bothering young people. He intimated that the National Youth summit which is slated for November 1st & 2nd 2021 is aim at Converging young people around the country to deliberate on issues on the needs affecting them. He noted that discussion will be based on the four pillars of the African Union road map in harnessing the sustainable development goals. He underscored the important of investing in young people stating that the UNDP is aware of the population density of youth in Sierra Leone.
The Resident Coordinator noted that the theme of this year’s National Youth Summit resonance with the Ministry drive of prioritizing youth empowerment on democratic dividend, align with the government National medium term development plan 2019- 2023. Similarly, he noted, “these are well articulated in the United Nation sustainable development frame work. The UNDP Resident Coordinator further noted that her organization has a long standing partnership with the Ministry.
He added that just recently the UN joined the government through the Ministry of Youth in observing the International Youth day with the theme that specifically pays close attention to young people activate participation in in transforming Agriculture, innovation, technology and Mechanization In a bid for the youth to transform their lives through Agriculture. He lauded the efforts of the Youth Ministry in championing youth issues as exemplifies in the launching of the National Youth Policy. He implores the youth to use this occasion to discuss issues around unemployment, entrepreneurship, education and skills development, governance and youth empowerment in building a Sierra Leone for the betterment of all.
In his statement, the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs registered his appreciation to UNDP for the commitment and support to his ministry. He uses the opportunity to officially launch and open the platform for the upcoming National Youth summit scheduled for the 1st and 2nd of November, 2021 at Magburuka Northern Sierra Leone. The national youth summit he said is part of the 2030 youth strategy requirement that create the need for young people to be fully engaged in issues of national interest. He added gone are those days where young people takes the back stage. Hon. Minster noted that the national youth Policy has got two folds, as there are team of experts from the ministry that are going across the country to engage every chiefdom and district in bringing together young people. This is in tandem with the president ideology in bridging the gap between young people and governance.
“This is the very first time our country’s history in organizing such an event that draws young people across the country to sit and dialogue with key stakeholders including the Presidency, UN body and other relevant policy makers in the youth sector to address the challenges bothering young people”. He noted
Hon. Minister concluded in referencing government commitment in prioritizing human capital development they building a generation of value-driven and responsible leaders that will think excellence, with vision and passion to rewrite the country’s history, adding that the National Youth Summit we help to equip and train those that will play major roles in shaping our country’s image.