By Joseph Momoh, D.S. Reporter
Seoul, South Korea – On September 3, 2025, Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, completed a fruitful ten-day official visit to South Korea. The trip concluded with a significant courtesy call on former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at his office in Seoul.
During their meeting, Minister Sannoh expressed gratitude for Ban Ki-Moon’s unwavering support for Africa throughout his tenure, highlighting his instrumental role in advancing the continent’s development agenda. The Minister also provided an update on the Youth Report 2025, underscoring the Sierra Leonean Government’s commitment, in collaboration with development partners, to implement the report’s recommendations effectively.
In a bid to foster deeper collaboration, Minister Sannoh formally invited Ban Ki-Moon to the upcoming Mano River Youth Union Summit, which is set to take place in Sierra Leone. The Minister appealed for the country’s inclusion in initiatives led by the Ban Ki-Moon Foundation, particularly in areas such as climate change adaptation, smart agriculture promotion, and sustainable youth development advocacy.
In his response, Ban Ki-Moon affectionately referred to Sierra Leone as “a home,” recalling his tenure when he appointed several Sierra Leoneans to key leadership roles within the UN, all of whom he noted performed admirably. He reiterated his long-standing commitment to youth and women’s empowerment, citing his appointment of the first UN Youth Envoy during his leadership.
“The youth are our greatest hope,” Ban Ki-Moon stated, urging the Government of Sierra Leone to prioritize women’s advancement and youth empowerment in its development agenda. He further pledged to support Sierra Leone’s inclusion in strategic initiatives by the Ban Ki-Moon Foundation, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA).
Minister Sannoh’s visit facilitated a series of strategic engagements focused on youth empowerment, innovation, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. This initiative reflects the Sierra Leonean Government’s commitment, under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership, to enhance bilateral and multilateral partnerships aimed at advancing human capital development and creating opportunities for the nation’s youth.
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