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The National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) and the International Education and Resources Network Sierra Leone (iEARN-SL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower young people through skills development, training in artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and animal husbandry.
iEARN-SL, which has maintained a working relationship with NAYCOM since 1996, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening this long-standing partnership for the benefit of Sierra Leonean youth.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NAYCOM Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai described every MoU entered into by the Commission as a concrete step toward fulfilling its mandate. He provided a brief overview of the Commission’s roadmap, highlighting the recent validation of the NAYCOM Strategic Plan in Kono as a milestone that has created new opportunities for project implementation targeting young people.
Commissioner Lahai urged the Commission’s management to remain dedicated to executing projects, noting that their efforts should leave a lasting impact they can be proud of at the end of their tenure.
He emphasised that youth development remains his top priority and pledged continued collaboration with government, partners, and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for young people. He also called on Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to invest in skills development initiatives, particularly in AI training, to help address unemployment and other challenges facing the youth.
The Commissioner expressed appreciation to His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, for his ongoing support toward youth development. He further encouraged iEARN-SL to create more opportunities for co-creation, optimisation, and amplification of joint initiatives to maximise impact.
In her remarks, the Country Director of iEARN-SL, Jane Peters, noted that she has closely followed the Commission’s progress and its various interventions over the years. She commended Commissioner Lahai for his leadership in advancing youth empowerment and expressed confidence that the partnership will yield meaningful results for young people across the country.
The MoU is expected to pave the way for expanded training programs and practical initiatives designed to equip Sierra Leonean youth with relevant skills for national development.
