The Ministry of Youth Affairs (MOYA) held its highly anticipated Youth Steering Committee Meeting yesterday, Tuesday 20th May, 2025, with a packed agenda that echoed a resounding message: the future belongs to Sierra Leone’s young people. From early morning arrivals to a powerful close over lunch, the day was charged with energy, optimism, and purpose.

But the undisputed highlight? The bold and strategic presentation by the Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh, who electrified the room with a visionary address that set a new tone for youth development in the country.

With authority and passion, the Minister of Youth Affairs took centre stage at noon to unveil the Ministry’s Strategic Vision, carefully crafted from the recently presented Draft Status of Youth Report. His message was clear: “No youth left behind. Not now. Not ever.”

The Minister emphasized a result-driven approach to transforming the lives of young Sierra Leoneans, calling the youth not just beneficiaries but partners in progress.

“This isn’t just about programs and policies,” he said, “it’s about rewriting the future, with youth holding the pen.”

From empowering youth entrepreneurs to tackling unemployment and amplifying skills training across districts, the Minister’s roadmap had the right mix of realism and ambition. And he made no apologies for his relentless determination: *“We are not here to decorate reports, we are here to deliver. And we will.”

The meeting drew heavyweight statements from key stakeholders, including representatives from the World Bank, UNDP, European Union, FAO, and several ministries. But it was the unity of voices, from international partners to national agencies, that underscored the urgency and shared commitment to youth transformation.

The feedback session was fiery and forward-looking. Young participants and seasoned officials alike pushed for clarity, action, and speed. It was evident that the youth were not sitting on the sidelines, they were ready to lead.

As the event wrapped with key action points and a vote of thanks led by the Commissioner of NAYCOM, the energy in the room was anything but routine. MOYA’s momentum is building, and the Minister’s charge has clearly struck a chord across all levels.

In a nation where over 60% of the population is under 35, the stakes are high, but if today’s presentation was anything to go by, the future might just be in the right hands.
Stay tuned, Sierra Leone.
The Youth Renaissance has officially begun.