By Ibrahim Sesay

As part of its effort to promote peace, Caritas Freetown in collaboration with the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion has, on Thursday March 27th 2025, held a one-day regional dialogue on youth in peace building and social cohesion. The dialogue themed: "Youth Participation in Politics, Promoting Peace and Social Cohesion" brought together key stakeholders from ICPNC, National Youth Commission, political parties, tribal heads and civil society to deliberate on the significance of youth promoting peace and social cohesion.

The Resident Minister Western Area, Ambassador Adekunle King stressed the significance of young people to national development. "Young people under age 35 form 74% of our population, Government is not Government without the young people of Sierra Leone," he stated.


Ambassador Adekunle King emphasized that any Government that discountenance its youthful population is destined for failure.

He acknowledged that the youth are still deprived in numerous ways also mentioning that his expectation for youth participation in peace building should influence decisions on education, employment, social justice and accountability adding that by doing so "youth will be able to lay the foundation for a society that prioritizes inclusivity, transparency and mutual respect."

The Resident Minister further assured that Government will take measures to ensure that the youth become drivers of change in socio-economic development of our country and not the source of instability.

Dennis Momoh, a representative from Catholic Relief Service (CRS) dilated on the longstanding partnership between CRS and Caritas noting that engagements like this is essential to maintaining peace as young people are the major perpetrators of violence and defenders of peace efforts. "There's no way development can occur without the involvement of young people and also development cannot be evident without peace," he emphasized.

He urged young people to take the center stage stating that young people should speak on issues that drive change and development.

In his statement, the Deputy Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, Rev. Fr. Joseph Bangura stated that young people are torch bearers of tomorrow adding that they hold the power to shape the future of our society and to influence the world. He noted how young people around the world are on the trajectory of change and youth maintaining that the country is striving for change that will alter the status quo.

He added that Caritas recognizes the significant role young people play in peace building which is why they are focusing on empowering the youth to participate in governance and peace initiatives.

"This project creates the platform for engagement with decision makers as well as equipping young people with essential skills on advocacy," Rev Bangura said.


He encouraged young people to utilize social media to "amplify their voices and mobilize support for peaceful initiatives."

The dialogue was followed by a panel session with representatives from ICPNC, APC National Young Congress, Commission for Persons Living with Disability and a lecturer from the Peace and Conflict Department FBC. Critical topics on the barriers preventing young people from participating in governance, youth representation, execution of youth project and depoliticizing institutions were delved into.

Asked about execution of a project that involves young people, Adekalie Sheku Kamara, Deputy Director Research and Learning at ICPNC noted that the Commission has transparently executed their projects using national and regional structures. He disclosed that the Commission has secured funding from the World Bank which will target young people in business and those aspiring to engage in business. Adekalie Sheku Kamara added that 300 dollars will be given to deserving applicants from Freetown, Bo, Port Loko and Kenema.

On the inadequacy of youth representation, the Secretary General of APC National Young Congress, Ibrahim Bai Tarawally, stated age issue and lack of resources and network have affected adequate youth representation in governance and called for further dialogue to address those issues. He called on young people to strive to capacitate themselves in preparedness for critical positions.

All the speakers emphasized the need for more engagements like this as they are geared towards identifying the issues of young people and map out ways to address concerns. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/caritas-freetown-partners-with-icpnc-to-hold-dialogue-on-peace-and-social-cohesion/