A bold and inspiring step toward youth empowerment has been taken as the Ministry of Youth Affairs officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), paving the way for intensive six-month training programs in practical, in-demand skills.
The initiative is designed to uplift young people, especially those who have been overlooked or caught in cycles of addiction and poverty. Courses on offer include nail technology, pastry and catering, plumbing, HVAC systems, graphic design, automobile technology, hairdressing, and refrigeration and cooling. These are more than just vocational subjects. They’re tools for transformation.
Just weeks ago, Minister of Youth Affairs Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh visited communities ravaged by the drug known as Kush, engaging directly with young people battling addiction. This MOU is a direct response to that reality, a lifeline to those in need of a second chance.
Professor Philip Kanu, Vice Chancellor and Principal of MMTU, highlighted the vision behind the short courses during his address. “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 explained.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Mr. Sajoh Aziz-Kamara praised the initiative, calling MMTU one of Sierra Leone’s first premium technical universities. “This partnership reaffirms the university’s role as a national leader in practical education,” he said.
Minister Sannoh brought passion and clarity to his remarks. “Skills development is the most potent weapon we have in the fight against poverty,” he declared. “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.”
The six-month programs promise to be hands-on, intensive, and deeply impactful. Each student will be supported from the moment they enter, with a focus on adding real value to their work and lives.
Not just an agreement on paper, this MOU signals a shift in how Sierra Leone nurtures its youth through education that is practical, inclusive, and hopeful.
When young people are given the tools to thrive, they don’t just change their own stories. They help rewrite the story of a nation.
