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President Julius Maada Bio has symbolically presented grant cheques to entrepreneurs in Makeni under the National Commission for Social Action’s (NACSA) Productive Social Safety Nets and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) Project, providing financial support to 1,000 entrepreneurs as part of the Government’s drive to promote economic empowerment and youth livelihoods.
The initiative, implemented through NACSA, provides grants of US$300 to each of the 1,000 beneficiaries in Makeni, amounting to a total investment of US$300,000 aimed at strengthening small businesses, improving household incomes, and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
The symbolic cheque presentation formed part of President Bio’s engagement in Makeni, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding social protection programmes and supporting entrepreneurship as a means of reducing poverty and stimulating local economic growth.
The PSSNYE Project is designed to provide productive social safety nets while creating employment opportunities for young people and vulnerable groups, enabling beneficiaries to establish or expand income-generating ventures.
During the visit, President Bio also officially launched the third volume of the MoICE Updates Magazine, a publication highlighting the achievements, ongoing projects, and future priorities of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. The magazine documents key government interventions across various sectors and outlines plans aimed at advancing national development.
Addressing residents during a Presidential Town Hall in Makeni, President Bio described the engagement as historic, noting that he is the first President of Sierra Leone to convene such a forum. He said the meeting reflected his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and direct engagement with citizens.
“I was thrilled and energized during today’s event in Makeni. We passionately reaffirmed our dedication to transparency and accountability,” President Bio stated, adding that he had used the opportunity to outline his government’s achievements and future plans while expressing appreciation to the people of Makeni for their warm hospitality.
The grant disbursement and town hall engagement formed part of the President’s broader visit to Makeni, where he highlighted ongoing government efforts to promote inclusive development, economic empowerment, and citizen participation in governance.
