By Ibrahim Sesay
A powerful display of youthful energy, purpose and vision unfolded at the Bintumani Hall on Thursday, May 29,2025 when Caritas Freetown convened a national youth conference as part of its Youth in Politics and Peace-building Project, funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. Held under the banner: “Fostering the Development of Youths for a Better Sierra Leone”, the event brought together young leaders from across districts to reflect on their growth and explore how they can contribute meaningfully to peace, governance and economic progress.
The conference was as a vibrant testament to what is possible when young people are given the platform, tools and encouragement to lead. From civic awareness to vocational skills, participants proudly showcased how they have transformed their lives and communities through the project’s structured training in leadership, peacebuilding and advocacy.
Speaking with clarity and purpose, Eliza Sillah, Programme Manager at Caritas Freetown, outlined the project’s core vision; building a peaceful and stable Sierra Leone through social inclusion, community dialogue and youth empowerment. She described a strategic, multi-stakeholder approach that brought together young people, local authorities, peer educators and civil society partners to ensure that leadership and peacebuilding are rooted in local realities.
To deepen the project’s long-term impact, Eliza Sillah emphasized a sustainability plan focused on strengthening grassroots structures. This includes bolstering community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, supporting solidarity groups for women and youth, and creating mentorship channels that connect young leaders with governance actors at both the district and national levels.
A call to action echoed throughout the hall as the Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, delivered a keynote address that challenged development partners to rethink their approach. He criticized models that design youth programs without youth involvement, arguing that genuine development must be co-created with those it seeks to serve. “Too many times, NGOs receive funds and design programs for us, not with us. This must change,” he declared.
Ibrahim Sannoh pointed to the fact that over 70 percent of Sierra Leone’s population falls between the ages of 15 and 35, making youth development a national imperative rather than an optional policy area. He urged for coordinated action driven by data, accountability and ambition. “Youth empowerment must no longer be a slogan. It must be a central pillar of our national development agenda.”
He also revealed new initiatives from the Ministry, including programs that support youth participation in agriculture and fishing, such as cash crop cultivation in every chiefdom and the development of a fisheries value chain in Tombo. Adding to the excitement, the Minister announced that exports from Sierra Leone to China will now be duty-free; a development that presents immense potential for youth-led enterprises.
The most compelling voices came from the young people themselves. Ishmael Bangura, head of the Lakkah Progressive Youth, spoke of how the project taught him about civic responsibility and peaceful engagement. “Our community had been marked by violence, but now we are teaching our peers in the ghettoes about nonviolence and civic rights. Most youths know their rights, but they don’t always know their responsibilities,” he shared. His story, like many others, revealed the project’s power to ignite change from the ground up.
Participants received practical support through a symbolic handover of startup kits, helping them transition from training to action. These resources will enable beneficiaries to apply their vocational skills, start small businesses and remain actively engaged in local development.
Local officials were also moved by the initiative. Komba Mansa-Musa, Development Planning Officer at Freetown City Council, described the gathering as a timely reminder that youth are not just the future but the present. “This conference proves that young people are bursting with ideas, talent and drive. They must be given every opportunity to lead and grow,” he said.
Throughout the day, a skills exhibition showcased the diverse talents of participants, reflecting the project’s holistic approach to empowerment. More than just a celebration, the conference became a declaration of intent, that a new generation is ready to take charge of Sierra Leone’s destiny.
Caritas Freetown, together with its partners and supporters, continues to invest in young people not as passive recipients of aid but as active architects of change. By fostering peace, leadership and entrepreneurship, the organization is helping to nurture a vibrant, confident and capable generation that is ready to lead Sierra Leone into a more inclusive and prosperous future.
