The Ministry of Youth Affairs, under the leadership of Min Minister Ibrahim Sannoh, welcomed a high-powered delegation from the Africa Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to explore partnership opportunities aimed at empowering young people, women, and vulnerable populations through targeted skills development initiatives.
The AUDA-NEPAD delegation was led by Mr. Norman Khoza, Senior Programme Officer, and Mrs. Susan Dada, Senior Project Officer. The meeting served as a significant milestone in fostering regional collaboration between Sierra Leone and the African Union’s development arm.
Mr. Khoza provided a historical overview of the agency, noting its transformation from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) into what is now known as the African Union Development Agency (AUDA). He emphasized AUDA’s expanded mandate to coordinate and implement African Union programs across the continent. “We are here to co-create a skills development initiative with the Ministry that focuses on empowering women, youth, and other vulnerable groups,” he stated.
Adding to the discussion, Mrs. Dada gave an in-depth presentation on the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and its longstanding partnership with AUDA-NEPAD since 2009. Their collaboration has spanned key thematic areas such as peace and security, economic development, and gender equality. She also highlighted the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) project, which is designed to economically empower women and youth, broaden employment opportunities, and promote human rights.
Responding to the presentations, Minister Ibrahim Sannoh welcomed the initiative and expressed his enthusiasm for potential collaboration. He outlined the four thematic pillars guiding his leadership at the Ministry: Agriculture, Skills Development, Climate Change Adaptation, and Technology & Innovation.
Minister Sannoh also recounted his impactful journey within the first two months of taking office, sharing notable achievements including increased youth engagement and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Milton Margai Technical University, among other significant milestones.
“This meeting is timely and aligns perfectly with our national priorities. We are eager to work with AUDA and its partners to design and implement programs that will transform the lives of our young people and women,” Minister Sannoh affirmed.
The engagement marks the beginning of what promises to be a fruitful partnership between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and AUDA-NEPAD, focused on sustainable development, skills acquisition, and inclusive growth across Sierra Leone.
