Statement of the CEO

Over half of Sierra Leone’s population is below the age of 30. Even though most of this cohort of youths are yet in schools and tertiary education institutions, it is estimated by the World Bank that over half of youths in Sierra Leone are unemployed. The truncated job market leaves more uncertainty in securing a job on graduation. Even those who secure jobs on graduation are severely underemployed; receiving salaries way lesser than what youths of similar qualifications receive in other parts of the world. So, we have graduates who are still dependent on parents for their sustenance. Now, that is scary to me. In fact, in many publications on Sierra Leone’s unemployment rate, including the World bank’s, it is established that lack of marketable skills, lack of entrepreneurship drive, less professional competence, limited private and public sector investments in job creation and inconsiderate policy frameworks could be some of the causes. Even as relevant stakeholders are now ramping up interventions to curb the spiking unemployment, it is equally relevant for youths to lead ventures and join the fight against unemployment and poverty in all their forms. This is about our future as youths. Our Leotech’s “Skills Against Poverty” initiative is therefore a social enterprise/venture joining hands with the many NGOs and corporations in building the capacity of youths with the hope of giving them the necessary skills, competencies and network to either employ themselves or increase their likelihood of securing better jobs