In Makeni, a couple of days ago. I had the opportunity to dine and listen to some amazing young leaders in Makeni at the resident of one of them, Abass Wisdom, on the middle with Grafton water plastic at his hand with his smile beaming. (Thanks for the hospitality sir) On my arrival in Makeni, I called them base on the amazing work I have seen them do in their various organizations posted on their social media accounts. I had the opportunity to work with these young people last year during the World Menstrual day celebration at an event organized by The Hawa Trust Foundation. I had a meeting with them as emerging young leaders and told them about the need for us to work together as young people in solving the greatest challenges we faced in our community. I recognize that we all have formed or work for different organizations, but it is important we all have a place where we meet and talk about one objective, one goal and one agenda which is young people solving young people’s problem with one voice, one goal and one agenda devoid of the different organizations we formed or are part of.
Today, listening to them after some months that they have been working together, supporting each other since we last met gives me hope for our future as young people.
Abass Wisdom is a Journalist in Makeni and is the country coordinator for the Help the young to grow the organization. He has over 15 beneficiaries supporting them with education and healthy materials.
Mohamed Dauda is a poet and storyteller in Makeni, he most time use visual poetry to talk about the pitiable plight of young people in Makeni.
Activist Yayah Janneh is the Coordinator of the Hawa Trust Foundation working with young and old people. They recently supported over 15 beneficiaries with Micro Finance to start up a small business and solar lights in 2 communities.
You will read more on their stories on our Salone Messenger platform. Young people changing the narrative with one voice.
With 70% of Africa’s population under the age of 30, we as a continent are presented with a great opportunity and, possibly, a great challenge. Young Africans today are taking actions that not only have an immediate impact, but will also determine the future of the continent for decades to come.
Never has there been such weighty responsibility on the shoulders of young people. Never has there been the influence in the hands of young people like the influence they carry now. But for Africa to reap the dividends she has longed for, it is up to our generation to make sure that influence is channelled correctly and directed towards relevant issues that affect not only ourselves, but generations after us. This can only be achieved if we come together as young people and begin to address the challenges before us as a continent.
The role of African youth is drastically changing, but so are some of the challenges we face, such as employability and entrepreneurship opportunities. The strength of any society is within the strength and resolve of its youth – what investment are young people making in our continent today?
In the past 6 months, I’ve listened to the argument stating that we have spent more time focused on what’s happening in other continents, like the US presidency, and less on local issues.
Young people should be on the forefront in challenging leaders to focus on them as citizens in order to do away with the act of bowing to them as they focus on their selfish interests.
Young people should be part of wealth creation in Africa. This will discourage overdependance on aid from the west.