MINISTER IBRAHIM SANNOH CHAMPIONS WOMEN’S DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT AT NAYCOM CERTIFICATION CEREMONY*.

The Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh, graced the Certification Ceremony of 68 trainees of the Women Digital Center at the Orange Foundation Hall, Hill Station, Freetown, reaffirming Government’s unwavering commitment to youth and women empowerment in Sierra Leone.

The colourful and inspiring ceremony, organized by the National Youth Commission (NaYCom), marked a significant milestone for 68 young women who successfully completed a comprehensive digital skills training programme designed to equip them with practical competencies in digital literacy, software applications, online entrepreneurship, and life skills.

Delivering a powerful keynote address, Minister Sannoh commended the graduates for their resilience, discipline, and determination to embrace the digital future.

“Today is not just about certificates,” the Minister stated. “It is about capacity. It is about confidence. It is about creating women who are not just job seekers, but job creators in the digital economy.”

 He emphasized that digital transformation remains a central pillar of national development and youth empowerment, noting that empowering young women with technological skills strengthens families, communities, and the country at large.

“When you empower a woman digitally, you empower a nation economically,” he added. “The future of Sierra Leone’s economy is deeply connected to innovation, technology, and the boldness of young people like you.”*

Minister Sannoh further highlighted that the Ministry of Youth Affairs will continue to collaborate with strategic institutions and partners to expand digital opportunities across districts, ensuring that no young person is left behind in the technological revolution.

The event also featured certificate presentations, trainee testimonials, and cultural displays, showcasing both the intellectual growth and creative vibrancy of the graduates.

The Minister took time to commend the National Youth Commission for its visionary leadership and consistency in implementing impactful youth-centered initiatives. He paid special tribute to the Commissioner of NaYCom, Mr. Joseph Maada Lahai, for his dedication to youth development and for organizing what he described as “a transformative platform for women’s advancement.”

“Commissioner Lahai and his team continue to demonstrate that youth development is not just policy language, but practical action,” Minister Sannoh remarked. “This initiative is evidence of strategic collaboration between national policy and community implementation.”

Under the stewardship of Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai, NaYCom has sustained momentum in promoting skills development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive youth participation, with the Women Digital Center standing as a shining example of that commitment.

As the 68 newly certified women step into new opportunities, the ceremony served as both a celebration of achievement and a declaration of Sierra Leone’s progressive path toward a skilled, empowered, and digitally competent generation.

Indeed, the presence of Minister Ibrahim Sannoh did not only elevate the ceremony, it reinforced a national message: the future belongs to prepared youth, and the Government is fully invested in preparing them.

Mariama Bao

Information officer

MOYA