— Hon. Hamidu Holla Avers
By John Kelly Marah
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth Affairs, Hon. Hamidu Holla Mansaray, has called on Sierra Leone’s youth to take ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lead the change in shaping the nation’s future.
Speaking at the International Youth Day celebration at the Bintumani Conference Center, Hon. Mansaray urged young people to see themselves as “leaders of today” rather than “leaders of tomorrow.”
Hon. Mansaray, who became the country’s youngest-ever Member of Parliament at 24, representing Koinadugu District, stressed the importance of localizing the SDGs to address real community needs.
“If the SDGs talk about ending hunger, it means young farmers must be supported to grow food sustainably. If they talk about quality education, it means we must build a system that equips us with 21st Century skills,” he said, adding that progress requires youth-driven entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation.
He also addressed the growing social challenges facing young people, including drug abuse and the spread of “kush,” calling for a united stand against these threats. “One youth alone can make noise, but united youth can make history,” he declared.
Hon. Mansaray reaffirmed his commitment to fight for policies and budgets that prioritize youth, but urged young Sierra Leoneans to be proactive, work together, and take responsibility for the country’s development.
