By Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope Reporter
New York City, August 9, 2025
In a poignant and powerful address, Honourable Chernor Bah, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, captivated over 700 youth delegates from 100 countries at the 30th AFS Youth Assembly. His keynote speech, titled “From War Child to World Stage,” resonated deeply, eliciting both tears and enthusiastic applause.
Bah’s remarks traced his extraordinary journey from a childhood marked by the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone to his current role as a global advocate for education and a senior government minister shaping the future of his nation.
“Exactly 11 years ago, I stood on this same stage as a young activist,” Bah recalled, referencing his role as Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advocacy Group in 2014. “Back then, I told the story of a child who refused to be silent. Today, I tell that story again with new chapters.”
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s legacy as the “Athens of West Africa,” Bah lamented how the nation’s promise was nearly extinguished by conflict and a failing education system. He shared harrowing memories of attending school amid gunfire and being forced into exile, where he discovered his purpose as a voice for youth and education.
“We didn’t know what the Sustainable Development Goals were back then,” he noted, “but we knew that education was our only path to peace.”
Now a member of one of Africa’s youngest and most progressive governments, Bah highlighted significant reforms under President Julius Maada Bio, including free quality education, the abolition of the death penalty, the decriminalization of abortion, and substantial investments in human capital development.
He stressed the importance of civic engagement and public trust, stating, “We are bringing governance closer to the people,” with initiatives such as weekly press briefings in local languages and presidential town halls designed to empower citizens.
Bah also addressed contemporary threats facing youth, including misinformation and climate denial, reiterating that education remains the most potent weapon against division. “Today’s battlefield is different, but the solution is the same,” he affirmed. “Education that teaches peace, citizenship, and resilience.”
His address concluded with a standing ovation, mirroring the enthusiastic response he received over a decade ago. “To all of you here,” he urged, “see adversity not as a wall, but as a doorway. If a child who grew up under gunfire can stand here today and speak to the world, then nothing is impossible.”
The AFS Youth Assembly, held annually in New York, represents one of the largest gatherings of young changemakers globally, promoting dialogue, leadership, and cooperation in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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