Labour Minister, AU-ECOSOCC Discuss Youth Employment and Governance
Employment opportunities for young people and the implementation of labour policies featured in discussions between the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, and a delegation from Reforms Initiative and the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC).
The delegation, led by Reforms Initiative Founder and Director Makmid Kamara and AU-ECOSOCC Secretariat Head Ambassador William Carew, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry ahead of a policy dialogue scheduled for 28 October at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown. Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the dialogue focuses on active citizenship, youth participation in governance and employment opportunities.
Carew said the initiative seeks to strengthen engagement between young people and policymakers, noting that Sierra Leone was selected because of its experience in post-conflict recovery and democratic consolidation.
The programme will also include a student assembly on 29 October at the University of Sierra Leone, bringing together approximately 200 young people from universities across the country to discuss governance and national development.
Minister Koroma stressed that youth employment is essential to maintaining public confidence in democratic institutions, calling for practical solutions to unemployment among university graduates and effective implementation of labour laws.
He highlighted Section 25 of the Employment Act 2023, which addresses end-of-service benefits, and ongoing discussions with labour and employers’ representatives on its implementation.
The Minister expressed the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the initiative and other stakeholders to improve youth employability, strengthen labour governance and support democratic development.
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