Ministry of Social Welfare Discharges 94 Graduates in Eighth Rehabilitation Batch

Ninety-four former drug users completed their rehabilitation programme; the eighth batch was discharged at Peace Mission Training Centre, Hastings, Freetown.

The ceremony recognised significant progress among 94 graduates whose structured rehabilitation restored mental, social and economic wellbeing. Government representatives, development partners, community stakeholders, families and well-wishers attended to acknowledge their achievement and reinforce continued recovery.

Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu congratulated the Ministry of Social Welfare and its partners on the successful discharge. He advised the graduates, now designated Ambassadors of Positive Change, to pursue pathways away from drug use and to develop their God-given talents. He reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police's commitment to combatting substance abuse and wished the graduates success in becoming exemplary citizens.

Minister of Social Welfare Melrose Karminty, delivering the keynote address, credited President Julius Maada Bio as visionary of the programme and thanked Director Konneh, social workers and house parents for leading the recovery effort. She described the journey from addiction through rehabilitation to reintegration as long yet transformative. "In the area of reintegration, all those who wanted to return to college, school and technical vocational centre would have the chance to do so," she said. "Recovery and reintegration is possible, and there is life after drug addiction."

The minister instructed the graduates to return to their communities as ambassadors of change, urged them to pursue technical skills and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to zero relapse in partnership with ambassadors, ministries, departments and agencies. She called on parents to welcome their children without revisiting their past.

UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana commended the ministry for addressing one of the country's most pressing challenges. She observed that the latest discharge demonstrated the government's determination to invest in people, restore dignity and expand opportunity. "Today is not simply a graduation ceremony; it is a celebration of human potential," she said. "It proves that recovery is possible, lives can transform, and every individual deserves a second chance to contribute meaningfully to society."

She noted that choosing recovery demands strength and sustaining it demands greater strength, adding that the graduates' stories can inspire young people contending with addiction, despair or social exclusion. "As you return to your communities, I encourage you to become advocates for healthy lifestyles, champions for mental wellbeing and seekers of a pathway away from substance abuse," she said. "Together we must replace stigma with support, punishment with rehabilitation where appropriate, and hopelessness with opportunity."

She reaffirmed UN support for addressing the root causes of substance abuse through prevention, rehabilitation, mental health services, skills development, education, empowerment and community engagement.

ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone, Ambassador John Azumah, thanked the ministry and Minister Karminty for sustained action against drug abuse. He noted that kush and related substances constitute a shared challenge across the ECOWAS sub-region. "From today, ECOWAS will work with you shoulder-to-shoulder on drug issues in this country," he said.

Colonel A.B. Keita, Commandant of the Peace Mission Training Centre, thanked all dignitaries present and observed that the graduates arrived two months ago in vastly different conditions, yet overcame challenges to transform their lives. He commended President Bio's efforts to develop a productive future generation and affirmed full collaboration with the ministry. "On behalf of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces and all other security agencies, we are willing, 100%, to collaborate with the Ministry of Social Welfare in ensuring that the President and the government achieve their aim of restoring sanity among the youth of this country," he said.

Saudi Ambassador Al Musaed conveyed his warmest congratulations to the Ambassadors of Positive Change and welcomed the programme as evidence of the strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Sierra Leone. He characterised the initiative as a demonstration of the government's commitment to human capital development, assured continued cooperation and thanked Minister Karminty for her relentless efforts.

Ansumana Konneh, Director of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services, announced that 1,071 former drug users have now been discharged nationwide. He described the figure as a significant milestone of recovery, noted that more work remains, ins and called on partners, NGOs, government and its agencies to sustain support for the fight against substance abuse.

Representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, including the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the National Public Health Agency, affirmed the possibility of recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Drug and substance abuse remains a major social challenge affecting individuals, families and communities across Sierra Leone. The Ministry of Social Welfare has responded with interventions spanning prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.

The rehabilitation programme at the Peace Mission Training Centre provides a safe and supportive environment offering counselling, psychosocial support, life skills training, vocational development and related interventions designed to overcome dependency and prepare beneficiaries for productive community life.

The discharge ceremony formally recognised completion of the programme by the eighth batch and acknowledged all stakeholders who contributed to their recovery. The ministry emphasised that recovery extends beyond discharge through family support, community acceptance and access to opportunities promoting self-reliance and dignity.

Graduates expressed appreciation to the government, the Ministry of Social Welfare, rehabilitation staff and partners for the opportunity to transform their lives.

Ceremony activities included a drama illustrating the possibility of recovery and the importance of avoiding relapse. All 94 graduates received gifts, including bags of rice, other food items and vouchers redeemable at Choitram Supermarket.

The Ministry of Social Welfare remains committed to ensuring that individuals affected by drug and substance abuse receive the care, support and opportunities necessary to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.