16/04/2026
Global Youth Network for Empowerment & Development - Sierra Leone Joins Over 150 Youth-Led Organizations to Advance Youth Empowerment in Sierra Leone 🇸🇱.
Today, proudly joined over 150 youth-led and youth-serving organizations at a powerful One-Day Youth Stakeholders Engagement convened under the theme:
“Advancing Advocacy and Leveraging Expertise for Youth Empowerment in Sierra Leone.”
The high-level engagement organized by the National Youth Commission Sierra Leone in collaboration with the National Youth Sector Caucus, brought together youth actors, civil society leaders and government institutions to strengthen youth coordination, policy influence, and collective action across Sierra Leone.
A major highlight of the event was NAYCOM’s presentation of its Strategic Plan, structured around five (5) key strategic pillars, alongside its Annual Work Plan, aimed at delivering inclusive youth development results nationwide.
Importantly, NAYCOM strongly emphasized the urgent need for enhanced coordination, structured engagement, and effective collaboration with youth-led organizations and development partners to ensure impactful implementation.
Key Strategic Statements from National Leaders & Youth Stakeholders
Mr. Tejan Z. Kellah – National Youth Council President reaffirmed the National Youth Council’s commitment to unifying youth voices, calling for youth to move beyond fragmentation and embrace solidarity, noting that:
“Youth empowerment must be driven by coordinated advocacy, responsible leadership, and youth-led solutions that reflect the realities of our communities.”
Mrs. Abigail Stevens – Executive Director of Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities CCYA, emphasized the importance of structured youth engagement and stronger institutional partnerships, stressing that:
“Youth-serving agencies must not compete for space but rather collaborate for impact, ensuring programs are inclusive, measurable, and aligned with national priorities.”
Our Executive Director, Mr. Musa Khalil Koroma – who is Chairman of the National Youth Sector Caucus, speaking on behalf of the Caucus, highlighted the critical role youth-led organizations play in national development and called for deeper trust and investment in youth expertise:
“Youth-led organizations are not beneficiaries of development, but partners in development. Therefore, our expertise, networks, and community trust must be leveraged for national impact.”
He further emphasized that effective youth empowerment requires policy influence, sustainable financing, and a unified youth coordination architecture.
Mr. Eric Massallay – Director, NGO Affairs, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED) commended NAYCOM and youth organizations for their growing contributions and encouraged stronger compliance, coordination, collaboration, transparency, and partnership with government systems, noting that:
“Youth organizations must be seen as credible development actors, as strong coordination, accountability, and alignment with national development frameworks and priorities will enhance trust and donor confidence.”
Mr. Alphonso Manley – Executive Director, Civil Right Coalition delivered a strong advocacy message on civic accountability and youth inclusion, stressing that:
“Youth empowerment must go beyond events and slogans. It must translate into policy action, social justice, and youth representation in governance and national decision-making.”
The keynote Statement was delivered by Mr. Patrick M. Gibrilla – Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to youth development and called for shared responsibility, stating clearly that:
“The future of Sierra Leone depends on how we invest in young people today. Government cannot do it alone, youth-led organizations must be recognized as strategic partners in delivering national youth priorities.”
He further encouraged youth stakeholders to build a culture of innovation, discipline, and results-driven engagement.
The vote of thanks was done by Mr. Mohamed B. Koroma – Executive Director, Centre for Partnership Initiatives - CPI, and Secretary General, of the National Youth Sector Caucus. He appreciated NAYCOM and all partners for the engagement and urged stakeholders to remain committed to collective action:
“This engagement must not end here. Let us sustain the momentum, strengthen coordination, and commit to results that young people can feel in their communities.”
Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai called for Enhanced Coordination & Effective Collaboration with the National Youth Commission. Throughout the engagement, he strongly emphasized for:
✅ stronger collaboration between government, youth-led organizations, and development partners
✅ improved coordination platforms for youth programming
✅ shared advocacy strategies and harmonized youth development interventions
✅ meaningful youth participation in planning, implementation, and evaluation
✅ increased investment and recognition of youth-led expertise
The engagement is a timely and strategic step toward building a unified national youth ecosystem where youth voices are not only heard but respected, coordinated, and empowered to drive change.
At @ , we believe the outcomes of the meeting will contribute to stronger advocacy, improved collaboration, and more impactful youth development programming across Sierra Leone, especially in underserved communities.
When youth stakeholders coordinate effectively, the results are transformational.
📌 Together, we can move from fragmented efforts to collective impact.
📌 Together, we can turn youth potential into national progress.
📌 Together, we can advance a Sierra Leone where every youth and young person has opportunity, dignity, and a future.
