By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr
The Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Patrick Gibril, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to transforming youth empowerment from short-term support initiatives into long-term structural reforms aimed at unlocking the full potential of Sierra Leone’s youthful population. Speaking at a high-level youth engagement, Gibril acknowledged the demographic reality facing the country, noting that nearly 75 percent of Sierra Leone’s population is under the age of 35. He described this as both a challenge and a significant opportunity that requires deliberate policy direction and strategic investment.
“To give you assurance, I must first give you the truth of our landscape,” he stated. “We are navigating a youth space where the majority of our population is young, yet we are still grappling with structural employment challenges and a market that is not fully optimized to harness their potential.” The Deputy Minister emphasized a strategic policy shift away from generalized empowerment programmes toward more sustainable, skills-based and structural interventions. He stressed the importance of equipping young people with practical and marketable skills that align with the demands of a modern economy.
“Our approach is moving from simply ‘giving fish’ to building systems that empower young people to thrive independently,” Gibril explained. “We are repositioning youth from being perceived as security risks to becoming valuable human capital and drivers of economic growth.” He further disclosed that the Ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholders including the National Youth Commission, is prioritizing initiatives aimed at ensuring that every young person acquires at least one marketable technical skill by 2030. According to him, this forms part of a broader national agenda to promote youth employability and entrepreneurship.
Highlighting ongoing policy efforts, Gibril revealed that his office is actively advocating for increased youth inclusion in national decision-making processes, including the introduction of a proposed 30 percent youth quota in governance structures and resource allocation. “My office is committed to ensuring that young people have a seat at the table where decisions are made, particularly where the national budget is discussed and allocated,” he said. He also pointed to legislative progress currently underway, including efforts to strengthen and formalize the National Youth Council, as well as modernize youth service frameworks to better respond to the evolving demands of the 21st-century job market.
Reaffirming his personal commitment, the Deputy Minister assured young people that the Ministry remains open and accessible to their concerns and ideas. “In my capacity as Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, I want to assure you that our doors are not just open—we are dismantling the walls to ensure full participation and inclusion of young people in national development,” Gibril declared. His remarks were met with optimism from youth stakeholders, who see the proposed reforms as a critical step toward addressing unemployment, enhancing skills development, and fostering inclusive growth across Sierra Leone.
