By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Ministry of Youth Affairs (MOYA) has taken a major step toward youth empowerment and national development by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) on 10 June 2025 to deliver intensive six-month vocational training programs targeting marginalized and at-risk young people.

The partnership aims to provide practical, in-demand skills that can lift youth out of cycles of addiction, poverty and unemployment. The training will cover a wide range of fields including nail technology, pastry and catering, plumbing, HVAC systems, graphic design, automobile technology, hairdressing and refrigeration and cooling; programs designed to be more than just technical courses, but stepping stones toward transformation.

The MOU follows the Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh’s, recent visits to communities affected by the harmful drug “Kush,” where he engaged directly with young people grappling with addiction. The agreement represents a proactive response to those encounters, offering a new path for rehabilitation and self-reliance.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice Chancellor and Principal of MMTU, Professor Philip Kanu, emphasized the entrepreneurial core of the training program.


"These programs are designed to do more than just teach a trade. They will equip young people to become job creators rather than job seekers. That’s why entrepreneurship is embedded into every course," he stated.

Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, praised the initiative and acknowledged MMTU’s growing leadership role in practical education.


"This partnership reaffirms the university’s role as one of Sierra Leone’s first premium technical institutions committed to national progress," he noted.

The Youth Affairs Minister, Ibrahim Sannoh delivered an impassioned address, describing the initiative as a decisive strategy in tackling youth vulnerability and economic instability.


"Skills development is the most potent weapon we have in the fight against poverty," he affirmed. "Thanks to this partnership, our young people will not only gain skills, they’ll begin a journey; matriculating at the start and graduating as empowered individuals ready to build, innovate and lead."

According to the Minister of Youth Affairs, the six-month courses will be practical, intensive and outcomes-driven, offering participants a supportive learning environment and clear pathways to entrepreneurship or employment. He emphasized that each student will receive hands-on training with a strong focus on real-world application and sustainability.

The Minister described the MOU as more than a symbolic gesture, stating that it marks a significant shift in Sierra Leone’s approach to youth development; one that prioritizes education that is accessible, marketable and rooted in the realities of the nation’s young people.

He further asserted that by equipping the next generation with skills and opportunities, the Government and its partners are investing not only in individuals but in the future of Sierra Leone itself.

The Minister concluded by underscoring the broader national impact of the initiative, stating that when youth are empowered with the tools to succeed, they don’t just change their own lives; they help reshape the destiny of their communities and country. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/youth-affairs-ministry-and-mmtu-unveil-six-month-skills-training-initiative-for-vulnerable-youth/