The Sweet Taste of Democracy: Youth Affairs Ministry changes hands
At an impressive event held in the conference room of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the erstwhile Minister of Youth Affairs, Bai Mahmoud Bangura, officially handed power over to the newly approved Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura. This official handing over ceremony was presided over by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Daboh. It attracted a number of media houses, youth, community stakeholders in and out of the ministry and other well-wishers. Mr. Daboh stated that “peaceful transitions are rare in African democracies. But we are blessed as a country to see peaceful transfer of power from one Government to another.”
Hon. Bai Mahmoud Bangura, congratulated and welcomed the new Minister of Youth Affairs and appreciated the support given to him by the staff and donor partners during his two years as Minister. He admonished that the problems of young people are not respecters of regions, colours or parties. It is therefore a challenge, he said, for the new Minister to fulfill. He further stated that the National Youth Service which is one of the projects of the Ministry and the National Youth Empowerment Fund must be given the necessary support and attention needed to survive and develop. He handed over the responsibility of young people in Sierra Leone to the hands of the New Minister and promised faithfully to always provide the support needed for the growth and development of the Ministry.
When he took the podium to a rapturous applause, Mr. Mohamed Orman Bangura, the newly approved Minister of Youth Affairs started by thanking God/Allah for his guidance and protection and placing him where he is today. He thanked the President, His Excellency Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, for reposing confidence and trust in him to serve the Youth of this country. He appreciated the national service provided by the erstwhile Minister and staff of the Ministry over the years.
He assured the donor partners that they have a trustworthy, honest, transparent, disciplined and accountable Minister that is willing and ready to push the affairs of the youth in the right direction. Minister Bangura stated “I have seen the right and left of life and I know what life is like to be a deprived youth. I am here to serve all tribes, regions, sections, political parties by creating the platform for the positive transformation of all Sierra Leonean Youth.”
He asked for the collective support of all staff members to help him succeed. He stated that the youth problems are many but they are not insurmountable if we all work to address them. It will take the collective efforts of all to make the New Direction to the Right Direction. He opined that when we invest in youth, we are directly investing in the future of the country. In this New Direction he stated, there is zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, mediocrity, lawlessness and a lackadaisical attitude to work as he urged his new colleagues to step up to the challenges ahead.
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