By Foday Moriba Conteh
Africa Youth Day has been celebrated in Sierra Leone on the theme: Combating Injustice, Marginalization and Corruption in the educational sector, at British Council Freetown. The African Youth Day is a day set aside every year to promote and increase recognition of youths as key agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development African.
The Day was championed in Sierra Leone by young people in Sierra Leone led by the West Africa Youth Network (WAYN), a youth led organization in partnership with Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN) on Saturday 2nd November, 2019. They joined several other countries in celebrating the Day.
Executive Director of West Africa Youth Network Mohamed Kanneh expressed warmest appreciation on behalf of the Board of Directors to young people who join them in celebrating Africa Youth Day. Mr. Kanneh stated that the theme was timely as corruption was taking a centre stage issue in Sierra Leone as a major factor affecting the educational system of the country.
He advised young people to serve as catalysts for change and must reject corruption and be prepared to expose malpractices. Since 2001 the West Africa Youth Network has operated in three African countries including Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. The WAYN provides young people an opportunity to champion different issues affecting their lives.
James Fortune joined Mr. Kanneh is calling young people to eradicate corruption in the educational system because it has affected the development of the country. He said the Africa Youth should now be partners in development and not condoning and indulging in crime or to be used by politicians wrongly.
Youth in Sierra Leone faced huge challenges in the areas of education, employment, health, and governance and their desire to effect change in society has not be appreciated because of lack of seriousness; but such days as the Africa Youth Day inspires them to do so.
Celebrating this day thus makes sense in the fight against corruption. Since established, the WAYN said they have succeeded in establishing sound and active school chapters in various schools now serving as ambassadors in the fight against corruption.
This year’s celebration focused on three major areas education, empowerment and engagement. The event also looked at contributions made by young people and their energy and optimism to reinforce the efforts towards the achievement of sustainable development.
