MOYA, Daegu City, South Korea, September 1, 2025 –
Sierra Leone’s youth development agenda took center stage in Daegu City, South Korea, this week as Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, led a delegation on a strategic mission to strengthen skills development, cultural exchange, and international cooperation.
The delegation included Mrs. Aisha Sema Sillah, Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of Chancery at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Seoul, and Joseph Maada Lahai, Commissioner of the National Youth Commission. Their visit underscored Sierra Leone’s determination to build meaningful partnerships that can directly impact the lives of young people back home.
During a meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Daegu, Minister Sannoh outlined priority areas for collaboration. He emphasized the potential of Daegu’s more than fifty universities and its extensive network of technical vocational colleges as models that Sierra Leone could replicate, establishing district-based systems tailored to community needs. He further stressed the importance of investing in water purification technologies to address pollution challenges in rural communities affected by mining activities. The discussions also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in modern agriculture, focusing on rice, cash crops, poultry, fisheries, and aquaculture, as well as exchange programs designed to inspire mindset transformation among young Sierra Leoneans.
The Deputy Mayor responded positively to these proposals, confirming the establishment of a joint task force to guide Sierra Leone in accessing Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds from the South Korean Government. He also assured the delegation that exchange programs between Daegu and Sierra Leone would be pursued to provide young people with new skills and exposure.
The visit culminated in the launch of the Sierra Leone Cultural Centre for Youth Development at the Dalson Cultural Training Centre in Daegu. The centre is expected to showcase Sierra Leonean culture, from fabrics and designs to music and folklore, while creating opportunities for young artists, designers, and performers to engage in international festivals and markets. It will also open doors for language training and new skills development in both Sierra Leonean and Korean traditions.
This latest engagement is part of a broader effort to align Sierra Leone’s youth development strategies with global opportunities, reflecting President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to youth empowerment and job creation. By linking Sierra Leonean talent to international platforms, the Ministry of Youth Affairs aims to equip young people with the skills, exposure, and confidence to thrive in today’s competitive world.
