International Youth Day and the Rigged System Against Youths of Sierra Leone

By Alpha Amadu Jalloh

August 12 is celebrated globally as International Youth Day, a moment to acknowledge the tremendous potential and contributions of young people to society. Yet, for the youths of Sierra Leone, this day rings hollow, another reminder of promises unfulfilled and a systemic rigging that has left them marginalized, misused, and muted.

The brutal truth is that the system in Sierra Leone is rigged against its youth. Instead of being empowered to lead the nation’s transformation, they have been exploited by politicians, sidelined by government officials, and deceived by those who claim to champion their cause. This is a call to expose this rigged system and demand genuine change.

One of the most striking examples of disconnect between leadership and youth is the Minister of Information and Civic Education himself. He publicly refers to himself as a “war child,” seemingly claiming an identity of struggle and hardship shared by many Sierra Leonean youths. But this is a gross misrepresentation. The truth is, this minister was among the privileged few who had the rare opportunity to move freely during and after the civil war under the umbrella of the Children’s Forum Network. Unlike countless children whose lives were devastated by conflict, displaced, orphaned, and traumatized, he was able to travel abroad multiple times as a so-called advocate for children and youth. His achievements today are largely a product of those privileged opportunities, not of enduring the daily hardship and systemic neglect that most young Sierra Leoneans continue to face. This self-styled “war child” narrative serves only to mask the reality that he is far removed from the struggles of ordinary youth. Instead of using his platform to genuinely champion the youth and hold government accountable, he has used his position to shield the very system that rigs the game against young people. His ministry has become a tool for empty rhetoric and government spin, rather than a force for meaningful youth empowerment.

Let us confront the facts. The government has spectacularly failed to create an environment conducive to the growth and development of young people in Sierra Leone. Youth unemployment remains alarmingly high, with estimates suggesting that more than seventy percent of young people between 15 and 35 years are either unemployed or underemployed. Despite numerous national youth policies and plans, real job creation remains elusive. The few opportunities that exist are often mired in nepotism and corruption, denying the average young person access to a decent livelihood. While the government boasts about free education, the reality is that many young people cannot afford quality schooling or vocational training. Schools are poorly equipped and many youths drop out due to financial pressures or lack of access. There is also a massive gap between the skills young people acquire and the needs of the job market, leading to a mismatch that perpetuates unemployment.

The government has neglected the health needs of youth, particularly in mental health services. Rising drug addiction rates, particularly the spread of Kush, have been linked directly to the absence of preventive programs, counseling services, and rehabilitation facilities. Instead of addressing this, authorities have chosen to ignore or even tacitly allow drug proliferation, which weakens youth resilience and political activism. Although the government speaks of youth inclusion, young people are systematically excluded from meaningful participation in political decision-making. Positions of power remain dominated by an aging elite, while youth representatives are often tokenized or sidelined. Many young people live in poor neighborhoods without access to electricity, clean water, or internet connectivity, limiting their ability to thrive in a modern economy.

Youth have long been the backbone of political campaigns in Sierra Leone, yet they remain the least beneficiaries of the political system. Political parties and politicians have perfected the art of using young people as cheap foot soldiers during elections, mobilizing them to campaign, intimidate opponents, and sometimes engage in violence, only to abandon them once the elections are over. Political patronage networks thrive on youth vulnerability. Instead of empowering youth with jobs, skills, or leadership platforms, politicians dole out handouts, cash, food, or small favors, to secure votes, thereby perpetuating dependency and discouraging independent political thought. After elections, promises vanish and youth become invisible until the next political cycle. This cyclical exploitation saps the energy and hope of young people.

It is not only politicians who exploit youth. Civil society organizations and self-styled activists have also become part of the problem. While some CSOs genuinely strive to advocate for youth rights and empowerment, many others have turned youth activism into a business opportunity. Many individuals claiming to be activists use the plight of vulnerable youths to secure foreign funding or local patronage, while the young people themselves remain trapped in poverty and disempowerment. Workshops, seminars, and conferences become venues for financial gain rather than transformative action. Funds meant for youth development are often diverted or wasted on lavish events with little measurable impact. This commercialization of youth advocacy deepens mistrust among young people and stifles grassroots movements that could hold power to account. When young people see their struggles being monetized, they grow cynical and disengaged.

Perhaps the most sinister aspect of this rigged system is the way drug abuse, particularly Kush, has been allowed to flourish among Sierra Leone’s youth. The government has failed spectacularly to enforce drug control laws, turning a blind eye to the rising addiction rates. This neglect is not accidental. There is a growing suspicion that the proliferation of drugs among youth serves as a deliberate strategy by those in power to disable a potentially rebellious generation. Drugs numb critical thinking, drain energy, and weaken the capacity of youth to organize and demand accountability. The tragic consequences are evident: increased crime, health problems, and broken families. Yet, instead of confronting the issue with comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and law enforcement, authorities remain passive or worse, complicit.

The cumulative effect of government neglect, political exploitation, and the co-option of youth activism is a generation at risk of being permanently disenfranchised. The cost of this rigged system is not only borne by young people but by the entire nation. Sierra Leone’s future depends on its youth. To stifle their voices, deny their opportunities, and dull their potential is to condemn the country to cycles of poverty, instability, and underdevelopment.

On this International Youth Day, Sierra Leone must confront the reality of this rigged system and make concrete commitments to reverse the trend. The Minister of Information and Civic Education must stop the propaganda and start engaging meaningfully with youth. Civic education should be robust, transparent, and aimed at empowering youth with knowledge about their rights and opportunities. The government must prioritize policies that create real jobs for youth, invest in vocational training aligned with market needs, and improve access to quality education. A national strategy to tackle drug abuse among youth must be developed and fully funded, including prevention campaigns, mental health services, and rehabilitation programs. Young people must be given real roles in decision-making at all levels. Tokenism is not enough. Youth representatives must have power and platforms to influence policy. Civil society organizations working on youth issues must be transparent and accountable, focusing on measurable impact rather than financial gain. Activists must prioritize genuine advocacy over personal enrichment. Local communities must be supported to build youth centers, sports facilities, and safe spaces where young people can develop talents, network, and receive mentorship.

Despite these challenges, the spirit of Sierra Leone’s youth remains unbroken. Many young people continue to work hard, innovate, and push for change. This International Youth Day should be a reminder that their voices matter and their fight for justice is legitimate. Young people must refuse to be pawns in a rigged system. They must organize independently, demand transparency, and hold their leaders accountable. They must reject those who exploit their vulnerability for personal gain and build alliances based on trust and shared vision. The path forward will not be easy, but it is necessary. Sierra Leone’s youth deserve nothing less.

International Youth Day should never be a day to celebrate hollow rhetoric but a day to demand real transformation. The rigged system against Sierra Leone’s youth must be dismantled, and a new chapter of opportunity, respect, and inclusion must begin.