By Foday Moriba Conteh

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, officially launched the Livelihoods Training for Youth Bike Riders for Peace and unveiled the Status of Youth Report 2025 during a high-level ceremony held at the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) campus in Goderich. The event, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in collaboration with UNCDF and UNDP, attracted senior Government officials, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, university authorities, students and hundreds of young people.

In his keynote address, President Bio described the event as “a moment of clarity,” noting that the Status of Youth Report is the most comprehensive assessment of the conditions, aspirations, challenges and opportunities shaping the lives of Sierra Leonean youth. He explained that the report captures progress in school enrollment, digital literacy, entrepreneurship and youth leadership, but also highlights concerns such as unemployment, cost-of-living pressures, health challenges and limited access to higher education. The President reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to addressing those issues through sustained policy interventions.

A major point of concern raised by President Bio was the rise in substance abuse, particularly the drug “kush”, which he described as a destructive force threatening the lives and future of young people. He stressed that while the Government will intensify enforcement against drug trafficking and production, parents, families and communities must also take responsibility for prevention and early support.

The President also launched the Alternative Livelihood Skills Training Programme targeting 1,300 bike riders across Makeni, Bo, Kenema and the Western Area. He highlighted the important role bike riders play in connecting communities, supporting trade and facilitating access to services. The training programme, implemented under the UN Peacebuilding Fund’s Empire for Youth project, will provide technical motorbike skills, customer service, road safety knowledge, financial literacy, entrepreneurship training and basic business management. President Bio encouraged young riders to adopt safe practices, maintain their bikes and use the skills gained to explore additional trades or business opportunities. He also emphasized the role of peace, discipline and civic responsibility in national development, noting that sustainable progress depends on stability and investor confidence.

The President further used the platform to condemn exam malpractice, warning that it undermines the country’s educational foundation. He reiterated that his administration’s investments, including free quality education, school feeding, learning materials, digital access and entrepreneurship programmes, are designed to empower young people and position human capital as Sierra Leone’s strongest resource.

Earlier, Professor Philip Kanu, Vice Chancellor and Principal of MMTU, welcomed the President and guests, expressing gratitude for the President’s longstanding support to the institution. Prof. Philip Kanu recalled earlier promises to transform the university and celebrated the fulfillment of those commitments. He noted that previous short-course graduates had already secured jobs or started small businesses, demonstrating the impact of youth-focused skills programmes. He thanked partners such as the UN system, the World Bank and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and praised the alignment of MMTU staff salaries with the national university pay scale; an achievement made possible through presidential intervention.

The Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, described the programme as a practical demonstration of President Bio’s vision for youth empowerment. He recalled the President’s instruction that young people are not only the future of tomorrow but the drivers of today’s progress. Drawing from his own experience as a former bike rider in Bo, the Minister emphasized that the programme addresses long-standing challenges faced in the bike-riding sector, one of Sierra Leone’s largest youth employment hubs.

Minister Ibrahim Sannoh announced several components of the UN-supported initiative, including technical and vocational training for over 1,000 bike riders, mandatory financial literacy training with bank account opening at Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, distribution of new motorcycles, refurbishment of bike riders’ union offices in four districts and provision of start-up kits to graduates in trades such as plumbing, welding, carpentry and cosmetology.

He stated that all Ministry-supported programmes will now be delivered through accredited tertiary institutions, particularly MMTU, to ensure that young people obtain recognized certificates that improve their employability. He also described the Status of Youth Report 2025 as a “compass” that will help align national youth development initiatives. He thanked UNCDF, UNDP, Shalimar and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank for their continued support.

World Bank Country Manager, Abdu Wuwonge, commended the graduating trainees and emphasized that young people are central to Sierra Leone’s development. He highlighted three key principles; values, a strong support system and strategic partnerships as essential for youth success. Abdu Wuwonge noted that Africa needs millions of new jobs annually and that Sierra Leone alone requires at least 75,000 jobs each year to match its population growth. He stressed that the private sector must drive job creation, with the public sector providing a supportive environment. He pledged continuous World Bank support for human capital development, skills training and job creation further encouraging the youth to value every form of employment and warned against shortcuts and illicit activities.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Frederick Ampiah, praised both initiatives, noting that they aligned with advocacy he had led since his arrival in Sierra Leone particularly the need for structured skills training for bike riders and the development of reliable national youth data. He stressed the importance of evidence-based planning and described the Status of Youth Report as a landmark document that offers clear insights into youth demographics, aspirations and challenges. Frederick Ampiah applauded the training for fostering trust among bike riders, the police and road safety authorities while improving health access, financial literacy and skills acquisition. He highlighted achievements such as over 8,000 health screenings and financial literacy training for nearly 5,000 riders also urging young people to apply their skills responsibly and emphasized that attitude is the ultimate determinant of long-term success.

Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration and described bike riders as vital contributors to Sierra Leone’s economy and social cohesion. She said the Livelihoods Training Programme bridges the gap between the informal and formal sectors and ensures that youth who previously lacked structured opportunities can now access recognized, accredited training. She outlined ongoing reforms such as expanded TVET programmes, harmonization of qualifications and accreditation of short courses aimed at creating clear pathways for employment. Dr. Wurie emphasized that national development cannot succeed unless all young people, including informal workers, are supported to acquire relevant skills.

She praised President Bio’s leadership for ensuring investments that make young people central to national progress. Addressing the bike riders directly, she encouraged them to see themselves as leaders and peacebuilders who play a critical role in strengthening communities. She reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to expanding opportunities for every young Sierra Leonean and pledged continued partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and development agencies.

The ceremony was climaxed by the official launching of the Livelihoods Training for Youth Bike Riders for Peace and the unveiling of the Status of Youth Report 2025 by President Julius Maada Bio. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/president-bio-launches-youth-livelihoods-training-status-of-youth-report-2025/