By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a bid to tackle youth unemployment, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially launched the Youth Empowerment Promotion and Livelihood Programme on Friday. The initiative, aimed at benefiting over 2,700 young Sierra Leoneans, focuses on job creation in transportation, fishing, farming, and entrepreneurship, with targeted support for female-led enterprises.
Unveiled during a ceremony at Kallon Car Park in Aberdeen, Freetown, the program includes the provision of 200 tricycles for small-scale transportation, 50 modern fishing boats to promote sustainable fishing, and grants for 40 women-led businesses. The project aligns with the government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and complements existing policies like the Free Quality Education Programme.
“Our young people are the backbone of this nation. Investing in their education and skills is not just a promise – it’s our responsibility,” said President Bio during his keynote address. He called on beneficiaries to use the resources effectively, emphasizing the program’s aim to empower youth sustainably, rather than as political leverage.
The launch saw support from international partners, with Fredrick Ampiah, UNDP’s Country Representative, lauding the program as a transformative step aligned with global goals such as the Timbuktu Declaration. “This initiative demonstrates a concrete commitment to improving the lives of youth,” Ampiah stated.
Minister of Youth Affairs Mohamed Orman Bangura highlighted recent achievements under the government’s youth agenda, including securing $1 million in funding for youth-focused programs. He assured that the initiative would significantly enhance livelihoods and foster national development.
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio echoed the importance of gender equity, emphasizing the role of grants for female entrepreneurs in boosting household incomes and driving community growth. “Women’s empowerment is integral to sustainable development,” she remarked.
Attendees praised the program as a critical opportunity to improve their economic prospects. One beneficiary noted that access to resources like fishing boats and business grants would help alleviate poverty in their community.
As the event concluded, President Bio reiterated his administration’s dedication to empowering Sierra Leone’s youth, marking the launch as a significant.
