Sierra Leone

On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and on my own behalf, I am pleased to be present today at the ‘turning of the soil’ ceremony for the Yanatol Youth Resource Centre at Kampala. The UNDP system is particularly honoured to support an initiative such as this, which aims to help resolve the issue of youth unemployment in Sierra Leone.

Over the last few years, noticeable progress has been achieved in the country, with the election of a new President and Parliament, the setting-up of key governing institutions and improved economic indicators.

However, the increasing number of unemployed and marginalized young people is now seriously compromising the overall stability of the country. Indeed, the youth population is estimated at about one third of the total population, with more than 60% of them unemployed. This represents one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world.

To address the issue of youth unemployment, UNDP - through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Youth Employment Scheme (YES) - aims to create a level playing field for the youth to use their potential to contribute to the development of the country.

The Yanatol Resource Centre will develop the skills of its participants so that they are ready for productive employment upon completion of their courses. I hope that the youths who participate in this facility make good use of the opportunity of self-development available to them through the training courses organized. In addition to the technical training skills provided which are necessary for employment, the centre will also promote behavioral change; to ensure that the development of these technical skills are accompanied with positive moral values - a truly holistic approach to educational training.

I thank you