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Jul 13th, 2002 - 11:19:12 |
James Hallowell
Youth Employment Campaign Launching Report
The launching of the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network took place on the 31st,May 2002 at the Campaign for Good Governance Conference Room, 1 Richard Street-Freetown. The choice of the venue was significant in the sense that the organization is among the few civil society organizations that is working for the inclusion of youths into the stream of effective participation, and the bulk of the resources needed to make the launching a reality came from Campaign for Good Governance.
The launching of the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network brought together sixty-six representatives from different youth organizations, three presenters from both the public and private sectors and the fourteen man Preparation Committee (PREPCOM) that was initially charged with the responsibility of making the launching a reality.
The youth representatives did not only gathered to witness the launching of the Network, but also to be part of the Global Alliance for Youth Employment, listen to the presentations of members of the adult community and see how they too could contribute meaningfully to the Youth Employment decade long campaign, which they believe will make a positive impact on both their lives and society. The Director of the Independent Youth Forum, Mr. John Paul Bai, who also chairman of the launching ceremony told both presenters and representatives that the launching of the Youth Employment Campaign and the existence of this network will breach the unemployment gap, and will devise further strategies how issues of unemployment and poverty could be addressed by the coming years. It will also help to develop concrete actions that will enable young people in and out of Sierra Leone to live a more sustainable and productive life.
He wasted no time in informing that in September this year, there will be an International Summit on Youth Employment; to be held in Alexandria the Arab Republic of Egypt. Sierra Leone and the Independent Youth Forum will make a representation to this summit.
He finally assured the gathering that the Independent Youth Forum will do everything possible to make the campaign effective and will involve every works of life in the country.
Speaking on the topic: “The Challenges of Positive Youth Transformation In Sierra Leone.” The United Nations Development Program-Governance Advisor-Madam Sylvia Fletcher said she is already aware of the fact that Sierra Leonean youths are faced with many challenges of which unemployment is one.
She said if there are not enough job opportunities for youths today in the country, it is as a result of several reasons, one of which is corruption. She added that if the private sector is to provide more job opportunities for people, Sierra Leoneans should do everything possible to make sure that corrupt free policies are put in place. She further reminded youth representatives that as the world economy is booming, the country is left far behind, this is a growing concern, it is because of weak and poor investment, and assured that if only youths work with the present government there is much hope to provide employment opportunities for young people.
Delivering her paper, Ms. Kenya Barley-Director Social Action and Poverty Alleviation Program congratulated the forum and PREPCOM members for organizing and launching the program. She encouraged the forum to continue its good work and assured them that if the issues of the Beijing Conference has now secure a place in most government policies, the youths should be rest assured that if only they work hard this campaign too will secure a place in government policies.
In her presentation also, she gave a brief background of the poverty situation in the country. She said poverty did not only came into existence as a result of the civil conflict, there has already been an economic slow-down. While the SAPA program was grappling with management difficulties it was discovered that over 90% of the country’s population lived on less than $ 1:00 and also find it difficult to get a square meal for the day, and 60% of the population lived in poverty.
Ms.K Barley further highlighted other social indicators of poverty which are : high illiteracy rate, 80% out of every 10 could not read and write; there has been high drop-out rate in the early years of schooling and the country’s position in the United Nations Human Development Index Report. As for the Non-Income aspect of poverty, such as high infant mortality rate, STD’s/HIV/Aids to which youths are highly susceptible to and their is high rate of teenage pregnancy, high unemployment and the under-employment rate among the youths who between the ages of 15-35 years is alarming. All of this has effect on the lives of youths.
If youths are to play a role in developing the economy and reducing poverty, she recommended the following:
-That we critically consider the link between education and unemployment
-The relationship between youth and national development.
-The retirement age in the civil service, moreso as it is the largest employing sector in the country and request for a stimulation in the private sector.
-The resources allocated for youth development programes. It will be good if youth issues are not addressed separately, but are included in all government issues.
-That the networking relationship between governmental and non-governmental agencies working on youth programs be strengthened.
-That the Independent Youth Forum work towards the improving the image of youths in the country.
Madam Barley said if also the YEC-SL.Network is to successfully embark on this campaign and wants to contribute to the economic development of the country, it will be good if the network will embark on an extensive survey to get the following results:
-The youth population in the country
-The total number of employed and unemployed, both in the public and private sector. This she said will help in advocating better for youths.
Towards the end of her presentation she informed that the SAPA Programme usually allocate 40% of its grant to youth programs, but more priority is based on youths in rural areas where un-employment rate is high.
Mr. Andrew Banya from Action Aid Youth Department presented a paper on “Youth Empowerment In The New Millennium”
Mr.Banya said that the involvement of Sierra Leonean Youths in this campaign is a step in the right direction, moreso as the country is coming out of a civil conflict, in which youths were actively involved. Over the past years youths have been misinformed and misguided, he further described the youths as the nations’ treasure.
However he tried to define who is a youth according to the Sierra Leone national youth policy. These are people between the ages of 15-35 years. Youths in Sierra Leone constitute 40-50% of the country’s population; they are full of potentials and can make significant contribution to national development. And that the development and social integration of youth have been affected over the past years by some global changes such as : the decline in agricultural production, income inequalities,unemployment,decline in social services, conflicts etc.It will be good and wise for possible interventions that will help to empower youths in diverse ways.
Possible interventions can be made in some of these mentioned areas: Educational Support Programs, Skills Training, Youth Health, Promotion of Recreation and Arts, Good Moral Values and Arts and more. To achieve better standards of empowerment a comprehensive approach both at national and international levels. He again stressed the fact that adults need to come to that aid of the young people and help develop the middle level manpower in Sierra Leone. This will go a long way in making the right type of empowerment needed for a positive change, he added.
LAUNCHING:
The official launching of the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network was to be done by Mr. Josephus Williams-Director of Youths Ministry Of Youths Education and Sports, as a result of his unavoidable absence, the Chairman and Members of the PREPCOM agreed that an appeal be made to Ms.Kenya Barley to do the launching.
Madam Barley consented. Launching the Network, she thank the PREPCOM for asking her to launch the network, in her words she said:
“ On behalf of the Independent Youth Forum and the Preparation Committee for the Youth Employment Campaign, I officially launch the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network” She further wished the Network success in all its endeavors.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendation came from youth representatives who were present at the launching ceremony, they are as follows:
-That the Independent youth forum do its level to ensure that the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone network do all it can with the support of its members and international partners to establish its own secretariat with pilot projects including desk officers to make the campaign more effective and meaningful.
-That a general monthly meeting be held as a way of consolidating the network
-That series of sensitizations programs be undertaken to popularize the campaign in the country and to seek means by which the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network affiliate and collaborate with individuals,organizations,institutions both Government and Non-Governmental agencies that are interested in further realizing the goals of the decade long campaign
-That the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network convene a national youth employment consultative conference, were issues relating to the development of the campaign will be discussed, and a network plan of action be develop and adopted. This will be sent to Government and Non-governmental agencies for consideration including the global Alliance For Youth Employment
-That the Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network includes female delegates in their representation to the forth coming Youth Employment Summit to be held in Alexandria, Egypt.
The Vote Of Thanks was given by-Mr. James Hallowell. He expressed appreciations to the presenters for honoring the request. It is a manifestation of their willingness to help not only the activities of the network, but also the young people of the country. He assured them that the issues raised in the different presentation and suggestions will be taken into consideration. He said, the early registration of youths for the program is a sign of cooperation and hope for the network and country in general.
Finally, he thanked Campaign For Good Governance for their unflinching support; he called on them to continue this venture.
Presenters and participants were served with light refreshments, before departure.
According to the initial program for the launching, there were to be six presenters for the, they were to be in the persons of : Mr. Andrew Banya- Action Aid, Madam Sylvia Fletcher-UNDP, H.E.The Egyptian Ambassador-Tarek Ghoneiun,Mr.Daniel Williams-British Council and Ms.Kenya Barley-SAPA.The Director of Youths Mr. Josephus Williams was suppose to do the official launching.
His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador Mr.Tarek Ghoniuin was unavoidably absent, as he received an International delegation that very day. He sent an excuse and apology. The other presenters who were unable to come as a result of tight schedule also sent us their apologies.
APPRECIATIONS:
On behalf of the Independent Youth Forum and Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone Network and the Preparation Committee (PREPCOM). The entire membership want to express their whole hearted appreciations to the presenters, membership of both the network and PREPCOM for their support and contribution in making the launching a success. Special thanks to Campaign For Good Governance for there tremendous support.
We also extend our appreciations to the Global Alliance For Youth Employment, the Youth Employment Summit and the Education Development Center United States for their continued support. Be sure your efforts will grow from strength to strength and thus the lives of the youths at global level be enriched.
Faithfully submitted,
JAMES HALLOWELL.
On behalf of the Independent Youth Forum/
The Youth Employment Campaign-Sierra Leone
Network May / June 2002.
List of Presenters:
NAME OF PRESENTERS INSTITUTION PRESENTATION TOPIC
Ms.Kenya Barley Social Action and Poverty Alleviation-Freetown The Role of Youth In Poverty Reduction and Economic Development
Mr. Andrew Banya Action Aid-Freetown Youth Empowerment in the New Millennium
Ms. Sylvia Fletcher United Nations Development Program Governance Department The Challenges to Positive Youth Transformation
Mr. Daniel Williams British Council Information Technology-A challenge for Sierra Leonean Youths (unavoidably absent)
Mr.Tarek Ghoneuin H.E.The Egyptian Ambassador to Sierra Leone Youth Employment For Development ( unavoidably absent)
Mr.Josephus Williams Director Of Youths Launching (unavoidably absent)
INDEPENDENT YOUTH FORUM/
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CAMPAIGN
NAME OF REPERSENTATIVE ORGANISATION ADDRESS TELEPHONE
1 Lansana H Sowa I YF/ YES – PRECOM MQ23W/Barracks 233004
2 Bunting Hagan King Judea Sunday School Wilberforce 7, Pivot Lane Wilberforce 220817
3 Edith K Sowa IYF/YES –PREPCOM 35 Lumley Road W/ Force 076-620-767.
4 Doris .E. Ismiel Bishop Baughman memorial Bright Street 225699
5 Henry .W. Williams Bishop Baughman Memorial Bright Street. 229310
6 Allieu Badara Kamara Messengers of Peace 5 I Whys-more Street Portee. 076-638-118
7 Marcella .A. Cole I.Y.F / PRECOM/ YEC 46 Old Railway Line W/Force 230656
8 Edmond Wilkinson Bishop Baughman Youth Relationship 7 Sackville Lane M/ Cut
9 Emmanuel Mac-Boima (Reporter) SLBS/TV 52 John Street 241976/240123
10 Minkailu .F. Sama Ex- dragon s/C Wilberforce S.F. Q. S. Wilberforce / Barracks 076-614-469
11 Ibrahim .M. koroma Council of Social Club Wilberforce MQ36 Wilberforce /Barracks 231481
12 Winston Campbell So-solace S/C Tengbeh town 6 Clarke street Tengbe /Town
13 Albert .J. J. Gulama Mystyq club (IPAM) 16 Spur View Estate 230495
14 Thomas .C. Vallie School- Ages Club/ IYF 3 Clarke Street Tengbeh Town. 242117
15 James Hallowell Peace Links /IYF/YEC-PREPCOM 1 Richard St. 228485
16 Mr. Emmanuel John St Paul’s Youth Fellowship 15th Freetown Road Wilberforce Village 233661
17 Juliet Vandy IYF/ YEC PREPCOM/Youths In Development 5B prison Barracks 242082
18 Amidu .M. Kawa P.E.E.D.O 20, O’Neil street 222435
19 Ernest Sumu Conteh Independent Youth Forum /YEC-PREPCOM 20, Off Crock Lane
20 Lawrence Mosseray. Orrylix Club M.M.C.E.T. Congo Cross
21 Theresa .T. O’Neil Eminics M.M.C.E.T Congo Cross
22 Alhassan Bah IYF / YEC-PREPCOM/Krio wharf 23 Pike Street.
23 Maxwell Kpakra C.C.Y.A. 55 Campbell Street. 076-635-763
24 Bismarck Sheriff F.O.L 89 Fort Street. 222140
25 Musa Wai Crips Club 77 Lumley Road 232316
26 Zainab Gborie Crips Club 30 Freetown Road Wilberforce. 076-614-492
27 Aiah R. Senesie NYMCOS Old Agric Building Tower Hill, F/town 076-637-009
28 Andrew Banya Action Aid –S/L 36A. F/town Rd Lumley 076-621-278, 232246
29 Osman .F. Kanneh IYF /YEC-PREPCOM 1 Richard Street 2284854
30 Mohamed Sillah IYF/YEC-PREPCOM 1 Richard Street 076-628-622
31 Sheriff .T. Sheriff IYF /YEC- PREPCOM 1 Richard Street 229152
32 Osman Kargbo TOPS Social Club 8, Davies St. Kissy
33 Francis .S. Kpaka TOPS Social Club 8, Davies St. Kissy
34 Ibrahim S. Bangura. Portee Youth Development Org. 5, Wyse Moore St. Portee Wellington 076-627-479
35 David Jarrell Commoners M.M.C.E.T. Congo Cross 6,Water St. Congo Town
36 Gibrilla .E. Bassie-Conteh Generation 21 19,Sorie Town
37 Mohamed Sesay Matic Family Crew 8 Percy Street
38 Sheka Kamara Talented Tribe 24A Nelson Lane
39 John Paul Bai Y2K/IYF /YEC-PREPCOM 1Richard Street 228454
40 Salifu Ahmed Sesay Ataya Based Organization 63 Fourah Bay Road 076617284
41 Abu Bakarr Kamara Wellington Learning Facilitators Organization 22 City Road Wellington 264142
42 Sitta Foday Musa World Peace Prayer Society 14 Doherty street 222748
43 Ibrahim Jalloh Fire Burn Youth Organization 9 Fourah Bay Road 223722
44 Denis Turay Young Stars Development Organization 18B Taylor Street Kissy 264060
45 Abu Bakarr Kamara Cassette Sellers Association 9 Sackville Street 224194
46 John Thomas Bayoh Congo Market Youth Organization 4 Symthe Street 240779
47 John V.Nell-Kamara For Di Pipul Cultural Theatre 82 Pademba Road 224786
48 Senessi Allieu Action For Peace 113 Jomo Kenyatta Road 076609979
49 Nathaniel Forbay Vision Guys 17 Hamilton Street Grass field 263884
50 Iru Gbassay Koroma Dough Court Youth Organization 23 Guard Street 227645
51 Camp Charlie Wrecking Crew 32C Red Pump-Off Tengbe Town 076616840
52 Probynians Youth Development Organization 8 Probyn Street 222192
53. Aruna Akim Dumbuya Al-fathi Muslim Youth Organization Philip Street-Wellington 076615560
54. Sahr E Joseph ELASA 52 John Street
55. Yakub Kamson Kamara Raskel Crew 27-77 Croker Lane Sorie Tong
56 Pan-African Union 43 Mountain Court
57. Aruna Bangura Masjid Latif Youth Organization 5 Macarthy street
58. Alex Kallon Bone Suffer Youth Organization 2A Mill Street
59. Ibrahim Kalokoh United Ataya Based Association 38 Fourah Bay Road
60. Magnus Munda Komba Government Wharf Youth Organization 10 Government Wharf
PRESENTATION ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CAMPAING-2002 TO 2012 BY ANDREW G. BANYA, ACTION AID SIERRA LEONE.
Theme: Youth Empowerment in the New Millennium
Mr. Chairman, fellow panelists, distinguished ladies and gentleman: all protocols observed. I want to begin by thanking the organizers of this launching ceremony of a proposed decade long Youth Employment Campaign. As a nation emerging for an equally decade long arms conflict, needless to say that our involvement in such a campaign is a to facilitate the empowerment of youths globally and in Sierra Leone in particular can be found rooted in the plague that befell our nation. For the purpose of our campaign, it would be good to first establish who a youth is? And the categories we have developed over the years in Sierra Leone.
1. Youth –Man: who is the Youth man?
Are the words youth and man synonymous? This is the miasma that our country was plunged into. With all due respect to the politicians, the word youth have been plagiarized and misused to suit this category of fortune seekers pre- redeemers whatever. The politicians to a large extent disrupted the use of this term. You would all agree with me that during the dark days of our country, an adult as old as fifty or more considers himself as a “Youth –man’. Some of these “Youth –man’. Were seen carrying the brief case of this politicians or big business tycoons. It was they who served as thugs, causing mayhem especially when it was time for elections. They were most often found around the ghettos taking narcotics and other deadly drugs. As early as 1:00a.m you would find the “Youth –man” at the Bus Station securing spaces using stones which he sells at dawn to a passenger wishing to travel to some place. They were the hired killers of political adversaries. Sad to say that this was an unfortunate mal-utilization of this treasure-the future of a nation and we all witnessed the outcome of this misuse.
Mr., Chairman, ladies and gentleman, kindly permit me to cast a cursory glance at the epoch of darkness in our country, namely the 1991-2001 year. Over the last three decades, Sierra Leone experience social, economic and political decline. The consequence of this ugly situation is a combination of a weak social and economic polices, mismanagement, corruption, social injustices and political instability. One key effect of these national problems is the emergence of an explosive pool of frustrated and disenfranchised youths. These youth become easy recruits for the various armed factions during the decade long conflict (1991-2001) in Sierra Leone. It is recognized that continuing marginalization and dis-empowerment of the youth virtually guarantee a recurrent conflict in Sierra Leone. I am however pessimistic that our authorities that be will not mortgage our unity, freedom and justice through “silent conspiracy”. They need to act more robustly to address the concerns of Youth.
2 The SL Youth
A government everywhere has polices in place to facilitate youth development. Effort were made by the SL Government to develop a youth policy, in 1995 wherein a “Youth” has define as any person between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Granted that this age bracket suits our society, there is no gain saying that the youth forms the bulk of our society. It is estimated that 1.24 million out of the 1996 population projection of 4.48 million are youth. In 2001, the said document was revised and according to that document (Youth policy), the Sierra Leone National Youth Policy has been designed to mainstream Youth Development framework. This justifies that a vibrant youth population in our country. What is left though is the judicious implementation of what the document contains.
Generally speaking, the Youth in any community, society or nations is an invaluable asset to its future. This is because youths constitute a tremendous human potential by virtue of their numbers (45-50% of the populations in the West Africa sub-region), energy, dynamism and their significant contribution to national development. Young people have the inclination for change they have enthusiasm and vigor, which government and donor communities. Should take advantage of and design well –meaning projects. In this way, their could be met and thus serve as a vehicle for development.
However, Youth development and socials integration has been affected by on going global changes -to large extent in West Africa and hampered their contribution to society. Factors such as declining trends in agricultural production, income inequalities, lack of employment, lack of democracy, ethnic and religious divisions, declining social services, conflict abuse of rights policy changes and policy instruments have profound and systematic effects on youths
The communities in West Africa are changing from traditional societies in which family; friends (extended family networks) provide support, to modern societies in which people depend instead on market and the state. There is a discrepancy between young people’s wish to be able to count on the assistance and support of institutions during period of transitions and the inability of those institutions to meet. They also want dependability, around them. Youth as a result develop a feeling of uncertainty, grievance and determination to push for changes in society thus posing some risks to society. It is a surprise therefore why young people (about 80%in the West Africa sub-region) are often identified as active front line and visible players in conflicts. The likely hood of a reoccurrence of such misuse of the energies of youth in Sierra Leone cannot be under estimate if government and other youth serving organisations do not incorporate the concerns of youth that tantamount to their development through empowerment in development programmes.
Various youth development oriented organisation have design and implemented programmes to help address the needs of youths generally in Sierra Leone. Agencies like World Vision, GTZ, Catholic Relief Service, Plan International, Conciliation Resources, UNICEF, the Ministry of Youth Education and Sport, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Forum for Africa Woman Education (FAWE), Network Movement of Justice and Development and others have designed and implemented programmes geared towards empowering youths. Programmes such as literacy, skills training, provision of recreational facilities, small – scale enterprises, peace promotion-training etc. have been component of the interventions. World Vision training hundreds of youth (Males and Females), including ex-combatants, to serve as community peace education facilitators. Plan International is noted for Adult Literacy programmes, where the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and UNICEF are fully engaged in the promotion of free basic education for especially girls. FAWE is chiefly engaged in the provision of skills training for girls, single mothers and rape victims. The General Desk of Action Aid –Sierra Leone is a strong advocate for single parents and the HIV/AIDS campaign. Micro credits to the single parent (girls between the ages of 13 and 35) so that they can start their own business; these have been some of the strategies to ameliorate the plight of this category of youths. Some were sent to various skills training outlets to learn trades like tailoring (Seamstress), hairdressing, cloth weaving and bakery. A good number of girl mothers have graduated and have put the skills in to use for their own development and their dependant. But considering the quantum of youths in SL that are yet to be serviced, there is still much to be done. Their efforts need to be revamped.
Possible Interventions to Facilitate Youth Empowerment in the New Millennium may include the following areas:
1. Educational Support Programmes:
The alarming rate of school dropouts in Sierra Leone and many developing countries cannot be dissociated from the lack of financial support to meet the cost for the acquisition of quality education. Education is widely considered to be a right and not a privilege. Today we hear of Global Action for free Quality Education. Sierra Leone even actively participated in the last celebration in April 2002. If education is really free, then why do we experience an increase in the drop out rate? Or is it that youth are not willing to learn? Whatever the answer may be, if education is a right, then the access to free and quality education is a fundamental rudiment for the empowerment of youth. Let the youth be given the opportunity to learn for as much as their potentials could permit them. It is frustrating if the urge to learn and attain higher heights is not owing to socio-political and economic Marginalization. Additionally, the youth should have attainment. Of course performance goes with it.
2 Skill Training Programmes
“Teach a man to fish and not to provide him fish daily” is a common saying. Academic excellence may apply to every individual. However, every being has the innate potential to be skilled in a particular trade. This being true, youth should be given choices to make amongst a range of trades such as Building Construction, Cloth Weaving, Tailoring, Arts and Craft, Hair Dressing, Mechanical Engineering, Welding etc. our next door neighbor, Guinea, for instance has greatly utilized skills training to boom her economy. Most of the things we use today-shoes, hand bags, engines part etc are either made or coupled up in development countries like Nigeria, Banjul, Guinea etc. the provision of training out let and the willingness of youth to engage themselves in such training programmes will go a long way to empower them to meet the challenges of the new millennium.
3, Youth Health
“Health is wealth” Government should consider the provision of and access to health facilities. The youth are the future leaders and so the need to preserve this category for posterity must be given priority. Youth on their part must live a responsible life to prevent themselves from the killer diseases like STIs, HIV/AIDS, TB etc. youth to youth peer education is very key in this vein.
4 Promotions of Recreation and Arts
There is a common saying that “All work and no play make jacks a dull Boy” Games and sports today have attracted the attention of most youths. Besides the thrilling entertainment it provides, the economic returns nowadays cannot be compared with so many white-collar jobs of our times. Besides it has proven to be an arena for peace building. Those youths, who have the potential in this field, should be changed and given the necessary support so that they too can have a chance to contribute to the development aspirations of their country.
The Youths in the performing arts-musicians and dramatists, you would agree with me, have a stake in the development of a nation. We are all aware of the contributions made by our local musicians in bringing peace and reconciliation. Top musicians like king Fisher in his “Peace and Reconciliation Song, Donald Kamara (Cool Don K) in his “Salon Mi Land, Lansana Sheriff”s “Wi de Beg for Peace and many more went a long way in bringing about the peace we enjoy today. Just like footballers and athletes need very good stadium to promote their skills, so do musicians need studios to do their productions and at the same time enjoy the fruits of their labour. Piracy of their cassettes and CDs should be enacted in parliament as a criminal act and punishable by law. The dramatists too need the theater to do their presentations. These professions have a stake In the holistic development of a nation and so the need to protect, sustain and develop them is very necessary.
5. Good Moral Values.
Participation in politics, commerce and the public service media are equally provisions that will to a large extent facilitate the empowerment of youths must demonstrate good moral ethics, culturally motivated and inculcate a spirit of patriotism. Teenage pregnancies should be a thing of the past. Youths must be seen as responsible citizens, as the firebrand of society and not those that express their by destroying public infrastructure.
In response to the needs youth in Sierra Leone, a collaborative approach should be adopted at local, bilateral and international levels. Youth serving NGOs, in collaboration with Ministry of Youth need to design projects on above thematic issues that cater for the empowerment of youth. Such project should be preceded by a consultative process nation-wide including implementing strategies for the main component identified. The implementing agencies and potential donors will then share the report of this consultative process. Such programmes are bound to be sustainable for the beneficiaries i.e. the youth are involved from the consultative through to the Monitoring Evaluation stage.
So to rap-up ladies and gentleman permit me to lend a phrase from our local acclaimed celebrity, steady Bongo, “The youth den wan for wok” if the empowerment of youth is anything to go by, then youth empowerment is key. Nothing is so painful for a youth then to be educated or trained in a particular skill and having no employment. The youths need employment to empower them for the challenges of the New Millennium, let governments everywhere do all they can, in collaboration with all development practitioners to empower the youths of the New Millennium. That is my take for the youths of the new millennium if society cares to empower them.
Adult need to come to their aid. Good moral ethics, credible ways of handling the affairs of government and the will serve as examples for them to follow when it comes to their turn in running the affairs as a nation. In this way, the youth will be empowered to take up the challenges of leadership.
The youth forms the middleman power of the nation. Any effort to develop this sector through quality formal non-formal education, functional skills training opportunities and good government strategies by the government parastatals, you and me will go a long way in empowering the youth. Networking at national and international levels-exchange youth programmes – will facilitate the inculcation of good youth empowerment skills and create linkages that are bound to bring about youth development and social integration. This launching ceremony ladies and gentleman epitomizes concerns for the empowerment of youth locally and globally. I therefore once more thank the organisation and further express my appreciation for giving me the opportunity to take part in this historic ceremony.
I thank you all for your audience.
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