Free Town, Sierra Leone – Young political leaders from Liberia and Sierra Leone have intensified efforts to strengthen democracy, youth participation, and women’s inclusion in governance following a high-level regional learning mission organized by the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS Africa).
The weeklong alumni peer-learning and reflection mission, held from May 4–8 in Freetown, brought together graduates of YPLS Africa under the leadership of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development to deepen cross-border cooperation on democratic governance and civic engagement.
The initiative focused on key issues including civic education, electoral integrity, peace-building, women’s political participation, and youth inclusion in decision-making, as West Africa approaches a critical cycle of elections.
Participants held strategic engagements with major institutions including the Parliament of Sierra Leone, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, the National Youth Commission, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, examining reforms aimed at strengthening governance systems and democratic accountability.
At Sierra Leone’s Parliament, discussions centered on the landmark Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act of 2022, which guarantees at least 30 percent representation of women in public leadership and decision-making positions.
Alumni described the law as a major democratic milestone but stressed that real progress depends on strong implementation and sustained advocacy. At the Electoral Commission, officials highlighted ongoing reforms to improve electoral transparency, including digital candidate registration systems designed to enforce gender inclusion and strengthen accountability.
YPLS Africa, in a statement, emphasized that credible elections are built not only on election-day processes but also on continuous civic education, institutional trust, and transparency. The delegation also engaged the National Youth Commission, where Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai challenged young people to move from activism to policymaking.
“Policies change actions, and only politicians approve policies. So, if you want to change the actions of people, you must be part of the group of people who craft and approve policies,” Lahai said.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, welcomed the initiative and pledged government support for youth empowerment programs, while confirming plans to attend YPLS Africa’s upcoming 13th Cohort and 10th Anniversary celebration in Liberia. Reflecting on the mission, YPLS Africa Program Manager Alphia Faith Kemokai described the exchange as a foundation for Africa’s future.
“When young people from different countries sit, reflect, and learn together, we are not just exchanging ideas, we are building a shared future for Africa,” she said.
Sierra Leone Chapter Lead Mohamed Harass Barrie added that meaningful transformation requires youth to move beyond dialogue into action capable of reshaping institutions and societies. Over the past 10 years, YPLS Africa says it has trained more than 1,200 young leaders across 14 African countries, with alumni now serving in political parties, civil society, media, student leadership, and public service.
The organization says its mission aligns with Africa’s Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a strong emphasis on expanding youth participation in governance. As West Africa prepares for major elections and young voters remain the region’s largest political force, YPLS Africa says the Sierra Leone mission marks a critical step toward building stronger democratic institutions and a more united regional voice.
Reported by: Prince Saah
