By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter
MOYA, Freetown, September 16, 2025 — The Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) at his office today as part of a week-long mission aimed at advancing mental health legislation and fostering public health partnerships in Sierra Leone.
The delegation, comprising senior technical experts and legislators from various African nations, is visiting Sierra Leone from September 14 to 18, 2025. Their mission is in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, focusing on supporting the country’s health priorities, particularly the enactment of the Mental Health Bill.
During the meeting, discussions highlighted opportunities for cross-country collaboration, the vital role of youth in health advocacy, and the integration of mental health into broader public health strategies. Minister Sannoh stressed the importance of empowering young voices in shaping policies that affect their well-being, identifying mental health as essential for sustainable human capital development.
“Africa’s future lies in the health and productivity of its young people,” Minister Sannoh stated. “This partnership with Africa CDC provides a unique opportunity to strengthen laws, policies, and programs that safeguard both the physical and mental well-being of our youth.”
The collaboration is expected to yield significant benefits for Sierra Leone’s young population, improving access to mental health services, raising awareness, and enhancing institutional support to tackle issues such as depression, substance abuse, and trauma recovery. Moreover, it will create avenues for youth-led advocacy and capacity-building initiatives, enabling young people to assume leadership roles in promoting healthier communities.
The Africa CDC delegation commended Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to reform its health policies and emphasized the necessity of inter-ministerial collaboration to address the continent’s escalating mental health needs.
The high-level mission will proceed with multi-stakeholder workshops, advocacy meetings with key institutions, and courtesy visits to government offices on September 16 and 17. The week’s activities aim to establish a robust framework for regional cooperation on mental health and public health priorities, ensuring that Sierra Leone’s youth are equipped to thrive in a healthier, more supportive environment.
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