A delegation led by Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, called on His Excellency Saud Mushabbab Al-Musa’e, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Sierra Leone. The engagement was part of the Ministry’s continuous efforts to broaden international partnerships that provide practical opportunities for the youth of Sierra Leone.
Minister Sannoh was joined by Deputy Minister Patrick Gibrilla; Permanent Secretary Dr Philip Kargbo; Director of Programs Mr James Bondeva Sandi; and Director of Policy and Research Mr Marlon Bockarie, Esq. The delegation and the Ambassador discussed several possible areas of bilateral cooperation in youth development, including skills training, support for entrepreneurship, education, and initiatives to promote people-to-people and youth-to-youth links between the two countries.
Discussions centred on practical ways of enhancing Sierra Leonean youth access to training, employment opportunities and entrepreneurial platforms, while also strengthening the long-standing friendly relations between Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meeting reaffirmed the Ministry’s position that international partnerships and diplomatic cooperation are critical tools to broaden the networks, skills and opportunities of young people.
The Ministry believes that embedding youth development into the national transformation agenda will position it to leverage strategic alliances to prepare the youth with the competencies and platforms they need to make meaningful contributions to Sierra Leone’s socioeconomic advancement. The delegation’s meeting with Ambassador Al-Musa’e is part of an ongoing outreach program to promote technical cooperation, educational exchanges and development programs that benefit the country’s youth.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs stressed its dedication to advancing collaborative projects and initiatives aimed at empowering Sierra Leonean youth and enhancing bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, recognising that ongoing international cooperation will be crucial in unlocking long-term opportunities for the country’s growing youth population.
