Youths in the country form a larger percentage of Sierra Leone’s population. They are reported to have accounted for the country’s current situation following their involvement in the rebel war, as they were the major players in the country’s civil war.
However, most youths around the country have been working towards the development of their communities and this for most time comprised of the formation of youth organizations.
Over the weekend, Awoko visited the Mount Zion Youth Organization in Waterloo at a place called “five five” to talk to youths on their current status in the district. Speaking to the Chairman of the organization, Mr. Dabo, he highlighted that, they have been going through a number of problems in the Western Area Rural District among them; the lack of a proper medical facility in the district, the lack of jobs for youths in the district and poor water facility.
He said all what they need could come with the support of the central government and the local council, and therefore appealed that; the authorities give their help to the youths in the district.
Dabo said, they had been engaged in a number of self help activities and that, they have particularly been involved in agricultural activities but that they are also faced with a lot of problems in pursuing their agricultural goals. “We don’t have farming tools and we also need seedlings so that we could continue with our agriculture” Dabo said and further that they want “carpentry workshops in the district so that we could be highly engaged. Most of the youths are engaged in bike riding in Waterloo but there should be some other means of engagements for us…’ Dabo querried.
When asked about their expectations from the coming councilors in the District, Dabo said, they are expecting developments from the coming council but “We also need a council leader that could pursue the interest of the youths “. He disclosed that they have been supporting Solomon Karbgo, as a candidate for the Waterloo Council Chairmanship under the PMDC because they as youths believe that, the candidate is a man with many ideas for the youths. “He is a man that will serve our interest, he has been advising us not to be involved in criminal activities”, Dabo stated
Meanwhile, Solomon Kargbo, the PMDC candidate for the Council Chairmanship in the Western Area Rural District Council has disclosed to Awoko that he has good plans for the youths in the district, if elected into office.
By John Baimba Sesay and Yu Nakayama