Information Minister Chernor Bah Co-Authors Groundbreaking Commentary on Girls’ Empowerment

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has co-authored a groundbreaking commentary on girls’ empowerment, recently published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, one of the world’s most prestigious academic journals.

Titled “Investing in adolescent girls works: we can’t afford to stop”, the piece was written in collaboration with global leaders including Lauren Rumble (UNICEF, New York), Suzanne Petroni (Gender Equality Solutions, USA), Professor Lucie Cluver (University of Oxford & University of Cape Town), and Fanta K. Touré (Resilio Fund, Dubai).

The commentary highlights compelling evidence showing that investing in adolescent girls drives positive change in education, health, and economic development, while also breaking cycles of violence and inequality. Despite this growing evidence, the authors warn that global support for girls’ empowerment is weakening, calling for renewed international commitment.

Minister Bah emphasized the significance of Sierra Leone’s experience in the global conversation, noting that President Julius Maada Bio has consistently championed bold investments in girls’ education and empowerment. “This is not just research for me it’s a lifelong commitment to ensuring every girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive,” Bah said.

The publication reinforces Sierra Leone’s position as a key voice in global efforts to prioritize adolescent girls’ rights and development. Bah concluded with a powerful message: “We must not relent. The world must keep investing in girls because when girls rise, we all rise.”