The National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) has completed community engagements in parts of the Northern and Southern Regions on the Skills Development Fund Project hosted by the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education (MHTE). The purpose of the regional community engagement with various technical institutions and youth groups was to further explain government’s rebranding of the need for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) to build the country’s middle level manpower for accelerated socioeconomic development. The NAYCOM team visited Koinadugu, Falaba, Kono, Makeni, Bo and Moyamba Districts where the Youth Chairman of Falaba, Balla Jawara informed them of the lack of a skills training centre, which makes it difficult for young people to acquire technical skills for employment.
At the Government Technical Institute, Koinadugu, Principal Magba Kargbo explained some of the serious challenges affecting their operations, including financial resources to procure tools and equipment needed to make the institute more functional. Commissioner Ngolo Katta assured that through the skills development fund project, government will support TVET institutions across the country to encourage young people in the non-formal sector acquire technical skills education to contribute to national development.
Apart from the technical skills development engagement, cheques were presented to youth councils and groups to support the Commission’s drive to boost agriculture through youth demonstration farms across the country. Youth Chairman, Koinadugu District Youth Council, Sheku Koroma commended NAYCOM for the support, saying though lack of rain gear had slowed the operation at the farm, the support will provide the necessary rain gear and other tools needed to make work more effective.
At Kowama, Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom in Bo District, Deputy Commissioner Emerson Kamara and team visited the Green Blossom Rice farm and were impressed with strides made at the farm. Youth Chairman Mohamed Jusu informed Commissioner Kamara and team on expansion of the farm that will further increase yields. NAYCOM Regional Coordinator South, Kabba Sesay in an interview with Awoko confirmed that success was made, and despite COVID-19 some of the supported farms have expanded operations, made possible through seed banking of what the farmers had planted and harvested.
With funds provided by GIZ, COVID-19 hygiene materials were also distributed to Youth Councils in Koinadugu, Kono and Falaba Districts.
By Ade Campbell