Freetown, Sierra Leone — As part of ongoing efforts to deepen youth development and economic empowerment nationwide, the Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Sannoh, has held strategic discussions with Mr. Kevin Petrini, Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), aimed at expanding youth-focused programmes across Sierra Leone.
The high-level engagement explored potential collaboration with leading development partners, including the Mastercard Foundation and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), to scale up national interventions in skills development, entrepreneurship, agribusiness, and sustainable livelihoods.
Discussions centred on aligning partner-supported initiatives with the Ministry of Youth Affairs’ mandate to create inclusive and accessible pathways for young people to acquire employable skills, support innovation, and access decent work opportunities, particularly at the community and district levels.
Minister Sannoh reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to investing in youth as a central pillar of national development, noting that strategic partnerships are essential to delivering programmes that are both high-impact and scalable. “Our young people are not just beneficiaries of development; they are drivers of growth and transformation.
Through strategic collaboration, we can equip them with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive,” the Minister emphasized. The meeting also underscored the importance of strengthening coordination between government institutions and development partners to ensure that youth programmes are responsive to labour market needs, support agribusiness value chains, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The engagement marks a significant step toward building a skilled, productive, and resilient youth population, in line with national development priorities and the government’s broader agenda to reduce youth unemployment and enhance inclusive economic growth.
