Global Youth Network for Empowerment & Development - Sierra Leone

11/10/2026

TEAM DEPARTS FOR KENYA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE Y-ACT Youth In Action LEARNING & CO-CREATION FORUM.

is plesed to announce that a team representing the organisation and its to***co control coalition is departing today for Kenya to participate in the Y-ACT Learning Forum, convened by AMREF Health Africa in Naivasha from 13–16 October.

The Forum will bring together partners implementing the Sierra Leone Youth-Led To***co Control Project to reflect on collective achievements, share experiences and lessons learned, address emerging challenges within the to***co control landscape, and explore opportunities for future growth and collaboration.

is represented by its Executive Director, Musa Khalil-Koroma, and Acting Director of Operations, Mrs. Favour M.B. Samba, alongside coalition representatives Mr. Abubakarr Bangura, Country Representative of the African Youth with Disabilities Network (AYWDN), and Mr. Moses Sorie Kodah, Executive Director of the Network of Advocacy for Youth Empowerment (NAYE), together with the AMREF”s National Advocacy Coordinatior - Mr. Jimmy Boye Caulker

The Y-ACT Learning Forum presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange innovative advocacy approaches, amplify youth voices, and enhance the capacity of youth-led organisations to influence to***co control policies and protect young people from the harmful effects of to***co and ni****ne products.

For and its coalition partners, this engagement will also provide an opportunity to consolidate lessons from our collective advocacy journey, identify promising approaches for scaling up effective interventions, and strengthen collaborative efforts towards sustainable to***co control action in Sierra Leone and beyond.

remains committed to empowering young people to lead advocacy, influence policies, and champion healthier communities free from the harms of to***co and ni****ne.

We look forward to meaningful learning, stronger partnerships, and renewed commitment to advancing youth-led to***co control advocacy.

Together, let us empower young people to lead the change towards a healthier future.

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

continues to Strengthens Collaboration with the Ministry of Health on To***co and Ni****ne Control

Earlier today, }GYNED team together with the National Advocacy Cokrdinatir of Y-ACT Youth In Action in Sierra Leone - Jimmy Boye Caulker, held a productive quarterly consultative meeting with the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Mental Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health.

The meeting reviewed progress in implementing the To***co and Ni****ne Control Act and discussed priority actions to strengthen to***co control and protect public health in Sierra Leone.

Key issues discussed included:
✅ The status of the To***co Control Regulations and the approval process for the appointed Chairman of the To***co Control Council.
✅ Progress towards establishing and strengthening the To***co Control Council Secretariat.
✅ Enforcement of smoke-free environment provisions and restrictions on to***co advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
✅ Sustainable financing, to***co taxation, laboratory testing of emerging ni****ne products, and the development of a National To***co Control Strategic Plan.
✅ Stakeholder coordination, capacity-building, and safeguarding to***co control policies from to***co industry interference.

Key outcomes included confirmation that the To***co Control Regulations have been gazetted and are available at the Government Bookshop. The meeting also clarified that the approval process for the appointed Council Chairperson remains pending and is expected to resume when Parliament reconvenes.

Further actions were identified to support the establishment of the Secretariat, strengthen enforcement, and advance stakeholder engagement, including planned Council induction and dissemination activities with support.

reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to advance effective to***co and ni****ne control, strengthen youth-led advocacy, and contribute to a healthier, to***co-free Sierra Leone.

Together, we can protect our communities, empower young people, and build a healthier future for all.

01/10/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A REMARKABLE LEADER.

On behalf of the Leadership and entire team of Global Youth Network for Empowerment & Development - Sierra Leone, we extend our warmest, heartfelt birthday wishes to the Country Director of Christian Aid Mr. Mattia Koi Dimoh, on this special and memorable occasion.

Today, we celebrate not only another year of your life, but also the leadership, professionalism, wisdom, humility, and commitment to positive change that you continue to demonstrate.

sincerely appreciates your technical guidance, professional support, valuable insights, and continued encouragement. Your contribution has strengthened our work and inspired us to continually strive for greater impact in advancing youth empowerment, inclusive development, and sustainable change.

We are particularly grateful for the strong, respectful, and fulfilling working relationship we have built with you and the Christian Aid Sierra Leone team.

Your openness to collaboration and partnership continues to create meaningful opportunities for learning, growth, and collective impact.

As you celebrate this special day, we pray that God continues to bless you with wisdom, good health, renewed strength, greater opportunities, peace, and abundant grace.

May the years ahead bring you even greater fulfilment, success, and purpose, and may your leadership continue to positively influence many more lives.

Happy Birthday once again. With sincere appreciation and warmest wishes,

From GYNED Leadership & Entire Team

01/10/2026

Earlier today, GYNED participated in the launch of the Community-Led Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Sierra Leone, organized by DANABELSANDY Development Organization, and held at the China House, in Brookfields, Freetown.

The event provided an informative and engaging platform to learn more about climate-resilient agriculture, community-led approaches, and sustainable solutions that can strengthen the resilience of communities and agricultural livelihoods.

is pleased to have participated in this important engagement and looks forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration in advancing community-led, inclusive and sustainable development solutions in Sierra Leone.

01/10/2026

NGO SECTOR LEADERS ENGAGE PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON NGO & NACSA AFFAIRS

Our Executive Director, who also serves as Chairman of the National NGO Steering Committee, joined Slango Slango, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), and other leaders within the NGO sector for an important engagement with the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on NGOs and the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA).

The engagement provided an important platform for dialogue between key stakeholders on strengthening coordination, oversight and collaboration within the NGO sector.

Discussions particularly focused on effective field monitoring of NGO projects and programmes across the country, strengthening coordination between relevant institutions, improving information sharing, and enhancing collaboration among Government, Parliament and civil society actors.

The engagement further highlighted the importance of constructive and sustained partnerships to promote transparency, accountability, effective programme implementation and greater development impact across communities.

The discussions were engaging and constructive, with stakeholders sharing perspectives and practical recommendations towards strengthening the relationship between the NGO sector and relevant Government and Parliamentary institutions.

remains committed to supporting effective NGO coordination, accountability, partnership and locally led development, while contributing to collective efforts to strengthen the capacity and impact of civil society organisations across Sierra Leone.

01/10/2026

Y-ACT Youth In Action & SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES MONITORING, MENTORSHIP & COACHING VISITS.

Global Youth Network for Empowerment & Development - Sierra Leone is pleased to highlight the successful completion of the -ACT visiting team’s monitoring, mentorship and coaching mission in Sierra Leone, conducted from 24–29 September 2026.

During the visit, the -ACT team engaged with team and six other coalition member organisations across Freetown (urban and rural communities), Kambia, Bo and Kenema districts, providing valuable monitoring, mentorship, coaching and technical support to strengthen organisational capacity and advance youth-led advocacy on to***co control.

The engagements provided an important opportunity to review progress against the respective Capacity Improvement Plans (CIPs), identify areas of progress and continued support, and provide practical guidance to coalition members on strengthening their systems, organisational development and advocacy capacities.

The feedback and progress demonstrated by the respective organisations were impressive and encouraging, reflecting a strong commitment to implementing their Capacity Improvement Plans and translating organisational strengthening into sustainable results.

Through this ongoing support, coalition members are being strengthened to improve organisational systems, enhance institutional credibility, mobilise and attract resources, strengthen partnerships, deliver more effective advocacy, and ultimately create greater and more sustainable impact within their communities and the wider to***co-control movement in Sierra Leone.

The visit was highly engaging, insightful and productive, with constructive discussions, practical learning and renewed commitment towards advancing stronger, more resilient and locally led civil society organisations.

appreciates the continued partnership and technical support from Amref Health Africa through -ACT, and looks forward to building on the outcomes of the visit as coalition members continue their journey towards greater organisational effectiveness, sustainability and impact.

01/10/2026

Earlier today Executive Director, Evangelist Musa Khalil Koroma, who also serves as Chairman of the National NGO Steering Committee, participated in the quarterly INGO and NNGO Steering Committee Meeting with the Director of NGO Affairs, at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED).

The meeting provided an important platform for constructive dialogue and engagement on key issues affecting the NGO sector in Sierra Leone, including sector coordination, collaboration, regulatory and operational matters, and strengthening effective partnerships between Government and civil society organisations.

The engagement was highly interactive, insightful and productive, with members sharing perspectives, experiences and recommendations aimed at strengthening coordination, accountability, collaboration and the overall effectiveness of the NGO sector.

As Chairman of the National NGO Steering Committee, ’s Executive Director continues to contribute meaningfully to platforms that promote inclusive sector dialogue, effective coordination and stronger Government–NGO partnerships in support of sustainable development in Sierra Leone.

The discussions concluded with promising prospects for continued collaboration and collective action to address emerging sector priorities and advance a stronger, more coordinated and impactful NGO sector.

29/09/2026

Participates in the Startup Ecosystem Policy Validation & ESO Formalization Consultation Workshop

, through the representation of its Director of Programmes, participated in a two-day Startup Ecosystem Policy Validation & Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESO) Formalization Consultation Workshop, organized and led by the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) in partnership with the International in Trade Centre (ITC), KOICA, and Felei TecCity.

The two-day engagement provided a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration, bringing together representatives from the Government of Sierra Leone, Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs), entrepreneurs, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders within Sierra Leone’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Key areas of discussion and consultation included:

🔹 Strengthening Sierra Leone’s Startup Ecosystem and exploring pathways to build a more effective, coordinated, inclusive, and functional entrepreneurship ecosystem, drawing lessons and experiences from South Korea as a case study.

🔹 ESO Formalization by engaging key stakeholders on the formalization, coordination, recognition, and strengthening of Entrepreneurship Support Organizations operating within the ecosystem.

🔹 Establishment of an ESO Association, discussing the proposed establishment of an operational ESO Association in Sierra Leone to strengthen coordination, representation, standards, collaboration, and institutional development among ESOs.

recognizes the importance of a strong and coordinated entrepreneurship ecosystem in creating pathways for youth innovation, enterprise development, employment, investment, and sustainable economic opportunities.

We remain committed to contributing to inclusive policy dialogue and multi-stakeholder partnerships that advance youth entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic development in Sierra Leone.