Empowering Sierra Leonean Youth to Lead Africa’s Development

In a powerful call for reform, the Honorable Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura has urged African youth to move beyond the role of “future leaders” and step into active leadership positions now, positioning themselves at the forefront of Africa’s development.

Speaking at a session on youth empowerment and leadership, Minister Bangura stressed that youth involvement in decision-making is crucial to advancing sustainable, inclusive progress on the continent.

“Young people are too often seen as inexperienced or disruptive rather than as contributors to societal progress,” the Minister stated. Challenging this outdated perception, he argued that young people should be at the center of decision-making and not merely observers or passive beneficiaries of development.

The Minister emphasized that moving youth from the “edge to the core” of development processes marks a necessary paradigm shift, underscoring that societies must recognize young people as essential agents of change.

The Minister’s remarks were part of a broader discussion on youth empowerment, focusing on the transition from tokenistic involvement to meaningful participation. He noted that young Africans must demand a seat at the table, both domestically and in global forums. He also stressed the importance of abandoning labels like “leaders of tomorrow” and encouraged young people to see themselves as “leaders of today,” actively contributing to shaping Africa’s future.

This call for action highlights the need for African nations to create avenues for young people to participate in development processes and policy formulation actively. The Minister expressed that empowering youth with tools, resources, and platforms would ensure a future where Africa’s development is inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.

In his closing remarks, the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs reinforced the Minister’s call for youth to seize the moment. He asserted that with proper empowerment and inclusion, African youth have the capacity to transform challenges into solutions, creating a brighter future for their communities and the continent.