By Hassan I. Conteh

A leading youth advocacy organization in Sierra Leone, Hope for Youth has celebrated its 5yrs existence empowering the youth of Sierra Leone.

Its celebration was marked with different activities in Freetown with the theme: “Moving From Hope to Action.”

Speaking at the Christian Brothers Retreat Centre at Hamilton in Freetown, on Saturday June 14th this year, Hope’s Executive Director, Joseph Kobba said youth empowerment is the organization’s key focus.

“Youth empowerment is the underlying factor; empowerment goes with responsibility. Our approach is sensitization on thematic issues affecting youth from one stage to another stage in life,” he told Africa 24 journalist in an exclusive interview.

On the eve of Hope youth conference on Saturday, Hope’s youths  embarked on Street Campaign Against Kush and Sensitization on Mpox disease.

Kush and Mpox are currently the two prominent issues affecting Sierra Leone.

Kobba believes that through campaigns like these many youth could be “transformed” to become better versions of themselves.

“Sometimes it takes a youth to convert a youth,” he said while emphasizing on their empowerment strategies to discourage young people from taking drugs like tramadols, kush,etc.

“We are looking at current happenings, for example, now, what is affecting young people most is the drug- Kush intake,” he said.

Hope For Youth Sierra Leone came into existence June 14th 2020 and it has changed the lives of many youths in Sierra Leone.

The organization has chapters in several districts in the country.

“We have many chapters in Freetown although we are working on harmonizing them. We have chapters in Kenema, Makeni, Pujehun, Port Loko, Moyamba, Kono, Kambia, etc,” said Hope’s executive director.

At the program, presidents of the various chapters were able to present their activity based reports on awareness raising. And those topics were around early marriage, the Fight Against Kush. Guest speakers also delivered their presentations on issues affecting youth such as: Violence and Food Security and Youth Empowerment, Illegal Youth Migration, Diet and Your Health, education and youth empowerment.

Mr Kobba said through the support of Hope’s CEO & founder Dr. Prince Hycy Bull and like-minded partners in youth affairs, they have been able to change the mindsets of many young people in Sierra Leone.

“There is a saying that ask not what Sierra Leone can do for you but what you can do for Sierra Leone. So this is what we can offer,” he said.

Kobba said one of the benefits of becoming a member of Hope for Youth Sierra Leone is by transforming one’s life. He said they encourage their members to be change makers in their various communities.

“Don’t only be an ambassador of peace, but be a partner of peace,” he echoed a phrase coined by an invited guest who spoke on Violence and Food Security in his presentation.

Speaking around other issues affecting youth growth and advancement, an invited guest Mrs Beatrice Koroma also presented her topic around entrepreneurship.

“Today, we say there is hope for your private business, hope for Sierra Leone, hope for opportunities not only in Freetown but in the provinces too. So your goal minute should not be to watch videos only on YouTube but dedicate that few minutes to learn courses like graphic design, market your business, ask what problem can I solve in my community, do you see plastic waste around, your idea to do something new could be a service of benefit to others. So you start the fire now,” Koroma said while encouraging Hope Youth members.

Your Personal Growth Minute was the heart of Mrs Koroma’s speech to about 100 youth members at their conference organized on Saturday June 14th 2025 at Hamilton’s Christian Brothers Retreat Centre. The youth symposium started on Friday 13th June with a Street Campaign Against Kush at Lumly, West of Freetown and the series of activities ended with a dinner night on Saturday.